Escuelita de Padres
Our Solution
Escuelita de Padres teaches parents of toddlers evidence-based early childhood development strategies based in the Montessori Method, ensuring active parent involvement from day one. The innovative program has parents learn alongside their toddlers new approaches and resources that foster a positive environment at home. The multi-dimensional approach is taught in a 15-session course that equips parents with achievable and measurable techniques to use at home. Workshops are divided into topics related to early childhood development. Escuelita de Padres provides parents with a forum in which they can share their experiences, relate with one another and bring tools and strategies back home to promote early stimulation in their children's lives.
Our Impact
Escuelita de Padres has been implemented since 2014. Since 2017, 125 families have participated in and graduated from the program. Pre- and post-tests on child development skills and knowledge guide the facilitators and families on their improved knowledge.
The curriculum was updated in 2019, and 14 facilitators on the North Coast, 11 facilitators in San Pedro and 8 facilitators in Santo Domingo have been trained in the new manual. The program runs in all 10 DREAM schools, and our dream is for it to be replicated across the country. We believe that families throughout the Dominican Republic will greatly benefit from the program. We have trained additional facilitators at two partner organizations to be able to implement the program in their communities.
What is Escuelita de Padres?
Escuelita de Padres equips caregivers of two- and three-year-olds with child development knowledge and easily replicable caregiver-child activities using evidence-based strategies based in the Montessori Method and early stimulation. In Escuelita de Padres, facilitators work dynamically with the caregivers so that they are able to help their children learn at an early age and foster positive relationships based on connection and empathy. Escuelita de Padres helps families create better relationships by balancing the needs of parents and children through a strengths-based and preventive approach. The program runs for 15 two-hour sessions consisting of dynamic talks followed by various activities. Topics included are: movement, communication & language, independence, self-discipline & discipline, and nutrition & hygiene.
What our facilitators are saying:
“The [facilitator manual’s] content is very consistent with what [we aim] to achieve. I feel that it helps parents, children and teachers a lot. I know that, in the face of this pandemic, parents who have done Escuelita de Padres will know how to carry out activities and find resources to work with children at home.”
— Raysa
“I think the content is super nice. The activities seem very dynamic and make a lot of sense for the parents who will start the process of school with their children. The manual is clear, easy to understand and the theoretical explanations given were understandable and manageable.”
— Grissel
Learn more about our early education programs!