HIPPY Alabama

Barbour Co.: ‘HIPPY’ Program Helping Kids, Parents

editor — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:55:33 +0000

By: Anastasia Scarborough | Eufaula Tribune
Published: April 01, 2009 Updated: April 01, 2009 – 2:27 PM

Three-year-old Ladarrius Coleman would hardly pick up a crayon before he, his brother Eric and his mother and grandmother started participating in the HIPPY program.

Now, Ladarrius seems outgoing and bright, coloring happily as he’s perched on the lap of Ann Smith, his family’s “parent provider”.

“Ladarrius has improved tremendously,” says Ann. “When I first started coming here, he wouldn’t pick up a crayon. Now, he has better motor skills, better social skills.”

As a parent provider, or “educator”, in the HIPPY program, Ann coaches Ladarrius’ mom, Tiffney, and grandmother, Shirley, on fun and interesting techniques to help Ladarrius and Eric learn skills that will prepare them for school and adult life.

Ann visits the Coleman home in Chattahoochee Courts twice a month. With her she brings educational activities for Ladarrius and Eric. But first, she coaches Tiffney and Shirley on how to teach these activities to the boys through “role-playing”.

Read more on the HIPPY program in the weekend edition of The Tribune avaliable April 3.

hippy_program_helping_kids_parents.jpg (27 KB)

Grandmother Shirley Coleman and parent "educator" Ann Smith assist 3-year-old Ladarrius Coleman.

Shelby County HIPPY

tdomf_14df7 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:53:02 +0000

Shelby County HIPPY welcomed the new school year in with an orientation at the local elementary schools “Parenting Day.” Many parents were anxious to meet the three new Parent Educators working in Columbiana, Shelby/Wilsonville and Montevallo. This year Shelby County HIPPY has added the three year old program. We are also eager to welcome Dr. Mary Lindsey, HIPPY National for a visit on November 28 – 30.

Lauderdale County: Preschoolers Need Prepping

tdomf_14df7 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:47:05 +0000

HIPPY program to help Lauderdale youths with school

By Lisa Singleton-Rickman, Staff Writer Matt McKean/TimesDaily

Matt McKean/TimesDaily

HIPPY the Hippopotamus greets children at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters will soon be serving families in Lauderdale County after getting a $60,000 grant. More photos at TimesDaily.com.

Bill Griffin isn’t beyond donning a hippo costume if it means bringing attention to a program that helps parents prepare their preschool children for kindergarten.

The program is called HIPPY, Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, and will soon be serving families in Lauderdale County after getting a $60,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

For the past four years the program has been operating in Sheffield. Now, through the Lauderdale County Children’s Policy Council, it will expand into Florence and Lauderdale County beginning Jan. 30. The program is partnered with the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, where special activities and meetings are held regularly.

The premise of the program is simple. Home educators go to participating families’ homes one hour per week and teach the parents of 3- and 4-year-olds how best to equip them for kindergarten.

“Kindergarten is what first grade used to be and it’s quickly becoming what second grade was, so it’s vital that all preschoolers have the opportunity to know those basics before they enter school,” said Griffin, a former kindergarten teacher and principal who coordinates the program.

The Sheffield program is serving 24 families. That program is funded by an Alabama Department of Education grant in the amount of $38,000.

Michelle Randolph and Heather Holman are the home educators who work with families to ready their children.

Randolph went through the program with her own children.

“I’ve seen the value of this program firsthand in my own family but also with those families I work with,” Randolph said.

“One of my children has special needs, and this program especially helps parents of those children in helping them prepare to interact with other children at school. We help these parents know what the school will expect of their children.”

The program also helps parents of kindergartners who may be falling behind in school.

The 30-week program uses a curriculum that begins in October and goes through May. Supplies including books, crayons, scissors and shapes are provided. Special scheduling is available in case of sickness or vacations.

“It’s a really flexible, no-stress environment, but at the same time extremely structured,” Randolph said.

The home educator teaches parents how to work most effectively with children on basic concepts often using household items, such as shoes.

“We’ll take two shoes, the parent’s and the child’s, to teach big and small,” Griffin said. “There are tons of examples we use like that. Though it’s basic stuff, it involves things that the parents just might not have thought of. The result is these children are going to school with a confidence that they belong there. They’re confident in their knowledge and they succeed (academically), not just in kindergarten but throughout school.”

Once a month, parents will meet for group activities at the Florence library. It’s a time to ask questions and share ideas with other parents.

Lee Cox, secretary of the Lauderdale County Children’s Policy Council and a juvenile probation officer, said her group identified the need for school readiness and pursued the HIPPY program for the county.

“We hope the continuance of the program will assist more parents in preparing their pre-school-aged children for a future of learning. Children with strong academic foundations rarely show up on the juvenile delinquency court docket.”

For details, call 256-765-0033.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 256-740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.

For additional photos please visit: http://www.timesdaily.com/stories/HIPPY-Program,186644

HIPPY the Hippopotamus dances through the Florence Library greeting children and making contact with their parents for the HIPPY Program, a home instruction program for parents of preschool children.

Bill Griffin smiles a spulls on the HIPPY suit he has to wear when meeting children at the Florence Library making contacts with their parents for the HIPPY Program, a home instruction program for parents of preschool children.

Caroline Verrone, 2 1/2, dances wth HIPPY the Hippopotamus at the Florence Library as it greets children and makes contact with their parents for the HIPPY Program, a home instruction program for parents of preschool children.

Caroline Verrone, 2 1/2, gets a hig-five from HIPPY the Hippopotamus at the Florence Library as it greets children and makes contacts with their parents for the HIPPY Program, a home instruction program for parents of preschool children.

Karla King, 6, picks out a book to read with HIPPY the Hippopotamus at the Florence Library as it greets children and makes contacts with their parents for the HIPPY Program, a home instruction program for parents of preschool children.

Karla King, 6, walks with HIPPY the Hippopotamus to a nice spot to read a book at the Florence Library as it greets children and makes contacts with their parents for the HIPPY Program, a home instruction program for parents of preschool children.

Karla King, 6, hugs HIPPY the Hippopotamus at the Florence Library as it greets children and makes contact with their parents for the HIPPY Program, a home instruction program for parents of preschool children.

Jessica Hill reads a book after HIPPY the Hippopotamus greeted the children at the Florence Library. HIPPY also making talked with their parents for the HIPPY Program, a home instruction program for parents of preschool children.

Hippy Program

tdomf_14df7 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:46:16 +0000

Both of my kids were on the HIPPY Program my oldest son Jaden is in the second grade and reads on the 4th grade level. HIPPY helped us a whole lot. It has also helped my youngest open up and want to be around his peers a . . .

Pike Co. – HIPPY Program Moves into Second Year

editor — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:02:07 +0000

HIPPY Program Moves into Second Year

Published 11:00pm Friday, October 7, 2011
In the Troy Messenger, By Stacy Graning

To view original article click here: Troy Messenger

With a successful first year under its belt, the HIPPY program in Pike County is continuing to help families.

The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program graduated 38 4-year-old participants last year, said Vickie Reeves, coordinator.

This year, despite a 50 percent cut in funding, the program is continuing to work with 19 of those students, all of whom are now in kindergarten at Troy Elementary or Pike County Elementary.

“We don’t teach the children,” Reeves said. “We teach the parents how to teach their children.”

The Pike County program is based on the national model of a preschool intervention program. It’s overseen locally by the Troy Pike Early Learning Foundation as a result of nearly three years worth of research and work by educators and retired educators, including Reeves. She taught kindergarten and first grade in the Pike County schools for 25 years before retiring.

“I taught first grade for 14 years before asking to be moved to kindergarten,” she said. “For me, being in the classroom, I realized that when (students) came to first grade, if they didn’t have what they needed in kindergarten, they struggled. They have to get it at the very beginning.”

And giving all children an equal opportunity at learning is a goal of the HIPPY program. “All children can learn,” Reeves said. “It depends on who has the best experiences.”

The HIPPY program is a home-based, school readiness program for parents of 3-, 4- and 5-year olds. “They recommend that you complete at least two years of the curriculum,” Reeves said. “We started with 4-year-olds last year and are working with them this year for the second year of the curriculum.”

The program provides 30 weeks of lessons and activities for parents to utilize in their homes. “They spend 15 minutes a day working with their children and teaching them,” Reeves said. “That’s all it takes.”

Each week in the 4-year-old program and every other week in the 5-year-old program, HIPPY workers go to the homes of the participating families to work with the parents and share the curriculum and information.

“Like anything, the parents have to be involved,” Reeves said.

But when they do get involved, the students excel. “Our students this year were very well prepared for kindergarten,” Reeves said.

HIPPY began in 1969 in Israel as a research and demonstration project. It spread internationally and came to the United States in 1984. More than 28 counties in Alabama utilize the program.

“The HIPPY curriculum follows the Alabama Course of Study, so the children are learning the skills necessary for prerequisites for reading readiness and math skills and they also have science activities.”

And while participation in the program is free to the families, the materials and program cost about $1,250 per student per year, according to the national averages.

Here in Pike County, the program was funded in the 2010-2011 school year by both the Pike County Schools and the Troy City Schools equally: each invested $50,000 in it.

This year, though, the Pike County Schools had to eliminate the HIPPY funding from the 2011-2012 budget. “Everything was tight and they had to make difficult cuts,” Reeves said. “The Pike County Schools do give us a lot in in-kind donations, though.”

With funding cut in half, the foundation that oversees the HIPPY program made the decision to reduce staff by 50 percent, as well. “This year, we have only two people making home visits in Troy and one in Brundidge.”

Instead of taking new 4-year-olds into the program, it is working only with the 5-year-olds on the second year of the curriculum cycle. “Next year, we’ll pick back up with the 4-year-old curriculum,” Reeves said.

Organizers expect the program to take about three years to solidify its presence in Pike County. “People hear our name, because HIPPY is an unusual name, but we want them to understand the program and know about the good it’s doing,” Reeves said.

Pike: PCS approves funding, plan for HIPPY program

tdomf_14df7 — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:19:17 +0000

Published 8:38pm Monday, October 11, 2010
By Lindsey Robinson
Article

Pike County School board members approved a non-profit organization to run a preschool teaching program throughout Troy City and Pike County Schools at their meeting Monday.

The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters Initiative, or HIPPY Initiative, will prepare 60 local children, all 4 years old and younger, for their first year in school.

At the meeting, board members decided that HIPPY will be managed by the Troy-Pike Early Learning Foundation Inc., a non-profit designed specifically to provide grant funding for HIPPY.

Troy City and Pike County Schools have each designated $50,000 for the program, Pike County Superintendent Mark Bazzell said after the board meeting.

The Troy-Pike Early Learning Foundation, comprised of personnel from Troy University, the Department of Human Resources, the Child Advocacy Center and other interested groups, are overseeing the training of six parent teachers who will then train other parents to teach their youngsters kindergarten fundamentals.

Through HIPPY and the early learning foundation, children can enter kindergarten with some basic teaching and won’t have to struggle among their peers. As a rule, all of the parent teachers have a preschooler of their own.

“Preschool education is something we’ve been trying to get going in Pike County for some time,” Bazzell said. “Within the next few weeks, they’ll be identifying the 4-year-olds we need to be meeting, and then they’ll be out in full force.”

Board members also approved the hiring of a new educator for kindergarten classes, where student numbers are creeping over the class limit. Bazzell recommended the appointment of a substitute until the Christmas break, to ease the kindergarteners into the transition.

“I think that might be the best and smoothest for the kids,” he said.

Also, Southland International, a school bus contractor, was awarded the bid for the purchase of two school buses, each worth $71,640. In a related item, board members decided to recognize October 18-22 as Alabama School Bus Safety Week.

Members also accepted the resignation of Karen Berry, who was the administrative assistant in the special education department. She has worked in the Pike County School system for 36 years.

Monroe HIPPY: Newspaper Article: Right name – wrong perception of good program

tdomf_14df7 — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:07:21 +0000

Monroe HIPPY:
The Monroe Journal

Newspaper Article: Right name – wrong perception of good program
Location: Mary’s Moments
By: Mary B. Tomlinson

Monroe County has one of the best-kept secrets in education–the “HIPPY” program. Unfortunately, until recently, people had mistakenly associated its name with the counter-cultural “hippies” of the 1960s and 1970s. But the two are not related in any way.

The acronym HIPPY “Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, (HIPPY)” is one of the most recent concepts in education through the nation and practiced here. I have visited in these local homes during parent-mother teaching sessions (Parent Educator’s home visits), and I fully endorse the program. Thankfully, because many interested local people and leaders have refused to let the program “die,” it has now become a more potent arm of Monroe County’s total educational endeavor.

And recognition of it is not just in the local community. The Monroe County HIPPY program won three outstanding state awards at the Annual State Conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery last year — Awards in public relations, home visits, and group meetings.

The “Monroe Journal” article concerning this event also appeared in the “Anniston Star” and was published on HIPPY’s state website.

At that meeting, Larry and Meda Keefer, former educators in the Monroe County school system, were recognized as the “Alabama HIPPY Heroes of the Year.”

The couple had provided graduation robes for children who could not afford them, and when one little boy was afraid to get on stage to receive his diploma, Larry took the child under his wings, turned tears into smiles and walked with him to the stage.

And I remember a visit by national HIPPY leader (trainer), Gayle Hart, who was observing the program, and I was covering the session for the Monroe Journal. The mother and a 5-year-old were in another part of the house in a learning session. In the meantime, Hart, Hamilton, and I were in another part of the house when a crawling toddler in the home pulled up to Hart, got into her lap and later refused to turn loose as we all were leaving the home.

The incident ended with the child and the national president both in tears. And through an email to me later, Hart indicated it was a long time before she could free her mind of the attachment to the child and of the outstanding programs she had experienced in Monroe County.

Kay Hamilton, Monroe County HIPPY coordinator, said, “This educational endeavor is a way of helping mothers to teach their 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds at home in preparation for kindergarten in the public school; it is about mothers spending 15 minutes a day at the kitchen table with a story book.”

Hamilton continued, “Complete learning also involves social interaction, and we cover that too. Every other week the children, the parents, and the parent educators get together in social settings.”

If for no other reason for us to support the program, we must all be aware that today’s children will grow up and become Monroe County’s leaders.”

Monroe HIPPY, Newspaper Article: HIPPY helps parents prepare children for school

tdomf_14df7 — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:04:36 +0000

Monroe HIPPY:
The Monroe Journal
Newspaper Article: HIPPY helps parents prepare children for school
Location: 9B
Date: Thursday, August 4, 2011
By: Angela Lambeth, Journal Staff Writer

With the first day of school right around the corner, many parents of preschoolers are wondering how they can prepare their children when it’s their time to start school.

The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) might be the answer they are searching for. “HIPPY is a parent involvement, school readiness program that helps parents prepare their 3, 4, and 5-year-old children for success in school,” said Kay Hamilton, local coordinator. “This program is designed to help parents learn what they need to know for them to teach their own children. Parents are trained in the latest educational techniques by a qualified parent educator who comes into the home weekly and provide resources and training to empower parents to become their child’s first teacher.”

The program helps children improve their listening and following direction skills and the learning relationship between parent and child. The participants also improve their story comprehension and they learn to enjoy reading and will begin to understand story sequencing.

Along with gaining an appreciation for reading, the participants will also learn to identify shapes, colors, and the alphabet. And their eye and hand coordination will also improve.

The HIPPY curriculum for 3 and 4 year olds consist of nine storybooks, 30 age and developmentally appropriate curriculum packets and one set of colored shapes and the 5 year old curriculum includes eight storybooks and 15 curriculum packets. Crayons, glue, scissors, folders, and a personal bag make up the supplies.

Both materials and supplies are free to the parents of preschool age children that live in Monroe County. “But there is a limit on the number of participants that will be taken during the 2011-12 year,” Hamilton said.

For more information or to register your child in the 2011-12 program contact Hamilton at 714-3175 or call the Monroeville Elementary School at 743-3473. You make also request more information by sending an email to hippyofmc@frontiernet.net. The deadline to register is Aug. 15.

Special Messages from Monroe Co.’s HIPPY Parents

editor — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:34:07 +0000

THE HIPPY PROGRAM OF MONROE COUNTY HAS MADE AN IMPACT ON MY FAMILY BY:

• “IT IS SOMETHING THAT MY THREE YEAR OLD ENJOYS DOING. But my two year old tries to do the same skill. This program is the most helpful that could have come about.”

Stephanie Sanders from Peterman, Alabama

• “HIPPY HAS BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR MY FOUR YEAR OLD SON AND MYSELF. This program has given me the essential tools to help my child gain the skills he will need to succeed in kindergarten. The program has exceptional parent instruction. The materials provide parents with the information or lessons to help their children when they start to school.”

Santana Cochran from Vredenburg, Alabama.

• “ I AM A GREAT GRANDMOTHER OF A FOUR YEAR OLD WHO IS ENROLLED IN THE HIPPY PROGRAM. The program is so convenient that I do not have to leave home. The program is just great.”

Maggie Rankins from Tunnel Springs, Alabama

• “ HIPPY HAS MADE A VERY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON MY FAMILY BY PROVIDING WAYS TO HLPE ME TO HELP MY CHILD LEARN IMPORTANT FUNDAMENTALS OF LIFE. My son and I love the program.”

Takeshia Perez from Monroeville, Alabama

• “OUR FAMILY IS INVOLVED IN MY THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER’S EDUCATION BY HELPING ME TO TEACH IMPORTANT READING SKILLS.”

Makele Mosley from Monroeville, Alabama

• “ THE HIPPY PROGRAM HAS MADE AN IMPACT ON MY FAMILY BY HELPING ME PREPARE MY THREE YEAR old daughter for kindergarten. I now can spend quality time teaching my daughter basic concepts that will help her get off to a great start in school I knew the hippy program was the answer for me.”

Heather Johnson from Uriah, Alabama

• “HIPPY HAS PROVIDED A GREAT EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR MY SON. He loves his work and because of it he is a new child thanks to HIPPY’s help in preparing him for Kindergarten.

Jennifer Williams from Uriah, Alabama

• “THE HIPPY PROGRAM HAS HELPED MY THREE YEAR OLD LEARN ALL THE SKILLS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO PREPARE HER FOR SCHOOL. She was not able to get into Head Start because of their limited number but thanks to HIPPY, she is learning with materials at home”

Ashley McPherson of Monroeville, Alabama

• “OUR FAMILY ENJOYS THE HIPPY PROGRAM BECAUSE IT ALLOWS US TO HAVE QUALITY ONE ON ONE TIME WITH OUR CHILD. The parent educators are informative with the instructions and the examples for the lesson. I would strongly recommend the HIPPY program to every parent.”

HIPPY Clarke County Graduation

tdomf_14df7 — Tue, 31 May 2011 22:27:17 +0000

The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) Clarke County program celebrated its fourth year of service with a graduation ceremony on May 12, 2011, at Grove Hill Elementary School. The parents of 74 preschoolers were recognized for being their child’s first teacher.
The crowd of over 250 HIPPY parents, children, family, friends and guests were welcomed by Donice Wood, HIPPY Director. The invocation was given by Father Pat Madden, Sacred Heart Catholic Parish.
HIPPY Coordinator, Jane Sellers, recognized the following parents for keeping 95% of their scheduled appointments: Margaret Adams, Jo Ann Chaney, Erica Cowan, Shamika Evans, Katie Hawthorne, Brenda Horn, Jackie Hytower, Lee Anne Jackson, Nikki Jordan, Andrea Law, Monica Martin, Felicia Pritchett, Tina Turner, Robyn Van Winkle, Latoyia Washington, Quindrella Welch and Tusheila Williams. A special award was given to Tusheila Williams as “HIPPY Parent Volunteer for 2010-2011.”
Jean Daffin, Parental Involvement Coordinator of the Clarke County School System, presented certificates to parents and parent educators who attended the Second Annual Parent University sponsored by the school system. Certificates were presented to: Darrell Wilkerson, Deborah Caldwell, Rodney and Nikki Jordan, Anne Latham, Zita Robinson, Amanda Gailes, Martine Williams and Gwen Wilkerson.
Six parents were recognized for their participation in the program for 3 years with their preschoolers as 3, 4 and 5 year olds. Certificates and roses were presented to: Bridgit Thomas, Brenda Horn, Edith Lynum, Shamika Evans, Martine Williams and Felicia Pritchett.
The HIPPY 5 year olds led the audience in the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag and the HIPPY 3 and 4 year olds delighted the crowd with their singing of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
The celebration concluded with a reception hosted by the HIPPY Advisory Committee. To pre-register for the 2011-2012 program year, please contact Jane Sellers, HIPPY Coordinator at (251) 275-3149, (251)360-0538 or (251)275-4650.