Through the Parent-Child Home Program, parents experience the joy and value of reading, talking, and playing with their children. Home Visitors help parents to realize their role as their child's first and most important teacher, and generate excitement about learning and verbal interaction in the home through books, toys, and play. Home visits are scheduled at the convenience of parents, so that moms and dads who are working, in school, or in training programs can easily participate. The Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) emphasizes the parent-child verbal interaction critical to early brain development.

PCHP is an innovative, home-based literacy and parenting program serving families challenged by poverty, low levels of education, language barriers, and other obstacles to educational success. Trained Home Visitors visit families with 2- and 3-year-old children twice a week for two years. In play sessions with the parent and child, the Home Visitors demonstrate parenting techniques. The Home Visitor emphasizes verbal interaction and learning through play, using carefully chosen books and toys that the children keep. The books and toys used in the visits are provided to families at no cost and families are encouraged to use them as much as possible. Essential to the program is respect for the privacy and ethnic and cultural heritage of all families.

By significantly increasing verbal interaction, the Parent-Child Home Program strengthens families and prepares children to succeed academically. Published research demonstrates that the Parent-Child Home Program prepares children to succeed in school and is a proven tool to prevent high school dropouts.

This program is supported by the South Hadley Community Partnership for Children grant, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, and administered by the Hampshire Educational Collaborative. This program is offered to parents of toddlers or two-year-olds who live in the South Hadley area.

For more information about the program and eligibility, contact:
Criterion-Heritage Early Intervention Program
5 Ferry Street, South Hadley, MA 01075
413-533-7140 ext. 58