Sessions Overview
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Head Start Parent and Family Outcomes
Each of the ten sesions that make up Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors is based on a “dicho”, or culturally significant saying. These phrases provide a helpful framework in which parents can learn how to better engage, motivate, and support their children.
Each session meets at least one of the seven Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes.
Click here to see which sessions meet which outcomes.
The Sessions
Session 1: “I Am My Child’s First Teacher; Our Home, My Child’s First School”
“Chip off the old block”
This is the introduction to the Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors curriculum, goals, and objectives. Parents are introduced to the concepts of being their child’s first teacher and the home as their child’s first school. The importance of parent engagement in their child’s education and parent leadership are also discussed.
Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Session 2: Reaching Family Success
“Actions speak louder than words”
This session focuses on how parents take on the role of leaders in the home by practicing family values, establishing good communication, employing positive discipline, goal setting, and achieving a family action plan. During this session, parents learn how to take advantage of everyday opportunities to cultivate the healthy growth of their children and families.
Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4
Session 3: My Child Grows
“What begins well, ends well”
In this session, parents will learn that they have a fundamental role in their children’s development and will increase their capacity to also respond to their children’s needs by knowing child development milestones. The facilitator will present existing resources and services in the local community for the early detection and support of children with special needs.
Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes: 4
Session 4: My Child Talks
“You never forget what you learn well”
In this session, parents will explore how their child’s language develops. Also, parent’s critical role in the language development of their children and the advantages of bilingualism will be discussed.
Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes: 1, 2, 5
Session 5: Let’s Continue Opening Doors
“Knowledge is power”
In this session, parents will gain awareness of the importance of reading to their children at an early age. On a trip to the local library, parents will apply for library cards, become familiar with valuable resources in their community, discuss the importance of reading, and learn about filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 6
Session 6: Our Health is First (Part 1)
“Better safe than sorry”
In this session, parents will gain awareness of the importance of reading to their children at an early age. On a trip to the local library, parents will apply for library cards, become familiar with valuable resources in their community, discuss the importance of reading, and learn about filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes: 5, 6
Session 7: Our Health is First (Part 2)
“Each mind is a universe unto itself”
In this session, parents will explore ways of taking care of their own mental and emotional well-being, as well as their child’s wellbeing. The facilitator will also share ideas of how a parent can take the lead in their child’s healthy socio-emotional development.
Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes: 1, 2, 5, 6
Session 8: Let’s go to School
“If you don’t look forward, you stay behind”
In this session, parents will understand that choosing a child care or an early education program is an important decision in their child’s life. Parents will not only learn how to choose a quality preschool in their community, but also how to communicate with a child care provider or an early education teacher. In addition, the benefits of a preschool education will be explored.
Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Session 9: Advocating for our Future
“There is no worse struggle than the one never waged”
In this session, parents will discuss their rights and responsibilities in the public education system and the process to change policies. Also, parents will examine leadership and advocacy skills to solve problems and challenges in a variety of community settings.
Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Session 10: Yes We Can!
“Success knows no bounds”
This session is a very special celebration where parents will give testimony about what positive changes they are making in their homes, schools, and community. Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors will honor each participant with a certificate for their participation, recognizing their commitment to lead and advocate on behalf of children.
The Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Outcomes
For a more complete description of each outcome and the sessions that meet them, download the AP Sessions Outcomes PDF.| Outcomes | Description | AP/OD Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Parents and families are safe, healthy, and have increased financial security. | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 |
2. POSITIVE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS
| Beginning with transitions to parenthood, parents and families develop warm relationships that nurture their child’s learning and development. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 |
3. FAMILIES AS LIFELONG EDUCATORS
| Parents and families observe, guide, promote, and participate in the everyday learning of their children at home, school, and in their communities. | 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 |
| Parents and families advance their own learning interests through education, training and other experiences that support their parenting, careers, and life goals. | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 |
5. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN TRANSITIONS
| Parents and families support and advocate for their child’s learning and development as they transition to new learning environments, including EHS to HS, EHS/HS to other early learning environments, and HS to kindergarten through elementary school | 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
6. FAMILY CONNECTIONS TO PEERS AND COMMUNITY
| Parents and families form connections with peers and mentors in formal or informal social networks that are supportive and/or educational and that enhance social well-being and community life. | 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
7. FAMILIES AS ADVOCATES
| Parents and families participate in leadership development, decision-making, program policy development, or in community and state organizing activities to improve children’s development and learning experiences. | 8, 9 |