Parents as Teachers Newsletter
October
A Note from Our PAT Coordinator
Dear PAT Families,
Happy October! As cooler weather and shorter days arrive, this month we are focusing on keeping our homes safe and practicing composure—the ability to pause, calm ourselves, and respond thoughtfully during challenging moments.
A Little Light Makes a Big Difference
If your home visit takes place after dark, please turn on your porch or outside lights before your parent educator arrives. Keeping walkways clear of toys and other obstacles also helps everyone arrive and leave safely. Thank you for helping us care for our team!
Fire Safety Starts at Home
Fire Prevention Week is October 4–10, 2026, making this a great time to check your family’s safety routines.
Take a few minutes this month to:
Test smoke alarms using the test button.
Make sure alarms are installed in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of your home, including the basement.
Check the age of your alarms and replace them when they are 10 years old.
Talk with your family about how you would get outside in an emergency and choose a safe meeting place. Include a plan for helping babies and young children. If you need help finding fire safety resources, let your parent educator know.
Conscious Discipline® Focus: Composure
Little children have big feelings, and they learn how to handle those feelings by watching the adults who care for them. Composure does not mean never feeling frustrated. It means noticing that frustration and taking a moment before responding.
When a difficult moment happens, try these three steps:
Pause and breathe. Take three slow breaths before you speak.
Look for the missing skill. Ask yourself, “What does my child need help learning?”
Set a calm limit and teach. Use simple words to show your child what to do next.
For example, if your child hits a sibling over a toy, you might say: “I won’t let you hit. Hitting hurts. You wanted a turn. Say, ‘Can I have a turn?’” Stay close and help your child practice.
Changing our thoughts from “My child is being mean” to “My child needs help asking for a turn” can help us approach the moment with patience and a plan.
Try It Together: Smell the Flower, Blow Out the Candle
Practice calm breathing when your child is already relaxed. Pretend to hold a flower in one hand and a candle in the other. Slowly smell the flower, then gently blow out the candle. Repeat three times together.
You can model this during your own frustrating moments, too: “I’m feeling upset, so I’m taking a breath to help my body calm down.”
You do not have to handle every moment perfectly. When you lose your calm, reconnect and try again: “I used a loud voice. I’m going to take a breath and try that again.” Every small moment is another opportunity to teach and connect.
Thank you for welcoming us into your homes and allowing us to partner with your family. We look forward to learning, playing, and growing together this October!
Warmly,
Allyson Rose
Parents as Teachers Program Coordinator
Your Jefferson City PAT Team
Domain 2: Families & Community
CKLA Corner: Domain 2 — Families & Community
Our 3- and 4-year-olds are learning about families and the people who help our community! JCECC is welcoming guests from construction, health care, public safety, and veterinary care to help children connect classroom learning with the world around them.
Keep the learning going at home! Everyday moments, such as eating dinner, looking at family photos, or driving through town, offer wonderful opportunities to talk together.
Talk about your family: “How do we help each other?” “What is something we enjoy doing together?” Explain that families can look different, and each family is special.
Notice community helpers: “Look at those construction workers! What are they building?” “How does a veterinarian help animals?”
Reflect on school visitors: “Tell me something you noticed about our visitor.” “What tools did they bring?” If your child needs a starting point, ask, “Did they show you a tool or tell you about their job?”
Build on your child’s words: If your child says, “Doctor helps,” you might respond, “Yes! A doctor helps people stay healthy and cares for them when they are sick.”
Play pretend: Turn stuffed animals into a veterinary clinic, build a neighborhood with blocks, or pretend to care for a doll. Follow your child’s lead and talk about what you are doing together.
For 3-year-olds: Use short questions, pictures, and familiar examples. Accept pointing or a few words as a response, and give your child time to think.
For 4-year-olds: Invite more detail with questions such as “How does that help people?” or “What would you need to do that job?” Encourage them to explain their ideas.
These conversations help children practice vocabulary, listening, taking turns, describing experiences, and understanding how people care for one another. There is no need to quiz your child—stay curious and enjoy the conversation!
Our Community Guests
S.M. Wilson Construction
Dr. LaMarche, Jefferson City Animal Hospital
Officer Joyner
Dr. Chapman, JCMG pediatrician
Fire Department
PAT SHOUT OUTS
Share a PAT Shout-Out!
Please use the button below to recognize your Parent Educator or share your experience with the Parents as Teachers program! Your shout-outs help us showcase the wonderful work our team is doing to connect families with resources, provide meaningful support, and partner with you throughout your parenting journey. We would love to hear from you!
Why Screen ?
- It’s estimated that 1 in 7 children are affected by developmental delays, learning disorders, and behavioral and social-emotional problems.
- Only a fraction of these children (20% to 30%) are identified as needing help before school begins.
- By participating in a developmental screening program, parents can check their child’s development and address any potential concerns. Intervention before kindergarten has huge benefits because it sets children up for future success! Studies have shown that children who receive early treatment for developmental delays are more likely to graduate from high school, hold jobs, live independently, and avoid teen pregnancy, delinquency, and violent crime.
