HIPPY has certainly helped a lot of families in Clarke County Alabama. It is amazing how the program helps caregivers understand the important role they play in their children’s learning. The love of learning truly begins in the home with the parent working with the child. Also, through assessments we can address concerns earlier and be able to send resources and make referrals for additional services if warranted for families. It is so exciting to be a part of a program that has a focus on children’s future success.
HIPPY is so proud of Kerri Walker (parent) and Landyn Brown (child) who have participated in the program for two years. Keri is a first-time mother and was very interested in supporting Landyn’s learning by joining HIPPY. When they began the program Landyn’s speech was hard to understand to others and he had difficulty understanding others. Mom also had some behavioral concerns. Through the HIPPY program the Parent Educator encouraged the mother to seek further assistance to address her concerns with the challenges Landyn was facing. Now he receives speech and occupational therapy though the local school system (since he is three) that offers additional support to both the child and parent. He was also sent for further evaluations at University of South Alabama Developmental Clinic through her local doctor and was diagnosed with Level 1 Autism. All of this occurred due to the resources she received from her Parent Educator during their participation in our HIPPY program and we are so happy they decided to participate.
While enrolled in the HIPPY Program the past two years they have participated in group meetings which has helped Landyn learn how to socialize with other children and Kerri to learn different techniques to use at home while working with him.
HIPPY has also helped Landyn get prepared for when he starts school (either PreK or Kindergarten). He has learned how to count objects (rote counting and one-to-one correspondence), identify the HIPPY shapes, how to complete a book walk, as well as spell his name. Thanks to HIPPY, both Landyn and Keri look forward to book time every day!