52
CONNECTING
THROUGH
WORDS & PICTURES: Jessica Schubick
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County debuted a
new research-based program this year which helps prepare
important teacher. Play and Learning Strategies, also known as
“PALS,” is a preventive intervention program that strengthens the
bond between parent and child and stimulates early language,
cognitive, and social development.
program cycles of weekly sessions. PALS Coaches asked
participants for feedback on their experiences with the program,
and their responses were overwhelmingly positive.
Asked what she learned in PALS, one mother replied: “How to see
my son’s signals and respond to his needs – working from love,
patience, and respect. And that the best way to teach is through
games and having fun.”
PALS Program Specialist Sharon Hansen recently sat down with
Helen, a mother who participated in the program with her young
son, to discuss her experiences with PALS.
Sharon Hansen: Thank you for speaking with us, Helen.
What did you learn from the PALS program?
Helen: The PALS program really helped me learn how to connect
with my son – and my daughter, as well – even when times were
stressful. And it taught me to remember to always be warm and
responsive to him, even if I was trying to do multiple things. The
other thing that I really took away was how to integrate learning
into our daily routine. And not to rush through any of the normal
everyday activities, because he’s always learning.
SH: How are you continuing to use the PALS strategies?
Helen:
to slow down when I am feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day.
We have two kids at home and my husband and I both work, so
daughter is in school – and I don’t want to miss an opportunity
to connect with my son, even though we have to rush out the
door or get dressed and get breakfast ready. There’s always time
to develop my relationship with him and help him learn. Overall,
it really helps me to slow down and remember those little ways
to do that.
SH: Was there a particular topic in the program that you
found particularly meaningful or helpful?
Helen: I think some of the skills that I was already doing, but
I didn’t know that I was using them – that really helped me to
highlight the things that I don’t want to stop doing or to rush
through. For example, being warm and responsive – I think I
was doing that already, but to know how important it is was
really useful. And the other one that I think I learned a lot from