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Shoreline helps mark 75 years of parenting education in state

Shoreline Community College helped celebrate the 75th anniversary of parenting education in Washington during Parenting Education Week, Nov. 18-22 as proclaimed by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Parent and child
Co-op preschools get parents involved in their child’s education.

“Parenting engagement is a core component of our state’s quality early learning programs,” said Dr. Bette Hyde, Washington State Department of Early Learning director. “Children are born learning, so it’s critical to help parents access parenting education and information.”

Parenting education is a vital part of the college, providing parents and care-givers valuable resources over the past 46 years.

Shoreline Community College’s Parenting Education Program is under the direction of Barbara Yasui.  Currently there are seven parent cooperative preschools affiliated with the college.  With locations in Shoreline, Bothell, Kirkland, and Woodinville, these preschools serve more than 400 families a year.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., was a parent in one of the college-supported co-op preschools and then went on to become a parent instructor and preschool director on campus.  Murray got her start in politics by lobbying legislators in Olympia about possible cuts to the Parent Ed program.

State Rep. Ruth Kagi,D-Lake Forest Park, has also been a strong supporter of early childhood and parenting education. Kagi is also an alum of the Shoreline program.

Extensive research shows the first five years of life greatly influence one’s eventual self-concept, ability to trust and relate to others, healthy brain development, and success in school. Parents who learn about child development, family relationships, safety, and nutrition help their children have better success rates in elementary and middle school.ParentEd75YAnnivPoster2013

In Washington, 840,845 households include one or more family members under age 18, according to the U.S. Census. Here are just a few reasons nearly 11,000 parents/caregivers participated in parenting education classes and programs statewide last year:

  • Information and resources: Parenting education courses provide parents with new knowledge and skills emphasizing the latest research and best practices in the field. Parents and caregivers can ask questions in a safe setting. They can explore and choose appropriate methods that work for their family situation or stage of their child’s life.
  • Confidence: Whether parenting a newborn, adopted child, blended family, adolescent or teen, parenting classes help participants become more confident caregivers. With a variety of tools and solutions at their disposal, parents are able to better manage new circumstances and every day challenges of raising healthy children.
  • Friendship: The opportunity to socialize, support, and problem-solve with other parents can help combat the isolation and loneliness of parenting.

Parenting education classes aren’t limited to parents of infants and toddlers, but also include classes for single parents, teen fathers, blended families, grandparents as primary caregivers, high-risk (recovery, divorce, teen parents) families, and more.

Shoreline Co-op Preschools

For more information on parenting education classes and programs at Shoreline Community College, contact Barbara Yasui at byasui@shoreline.edu, visit our website at http://www.shoreline.edu/parenting-education/default.aspx,  or visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SCCparentcoops.