Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 3, 1 March 2004 — Family learning [ARTICLE]

Family learning

Keiki o ka 'Āina Family Learning Centers (KOKA) is offering free services and enrollment for its three educational programs that prepare Native Hawaiian r hilHmn fnr

school. KOKA, an educational and family support organization, embraces the belief that parents are their children's first and best teachers. The agency's programs work to ensure that children age five and under are

ready for school by involving the children's families and offering opportunities for home instruction. Registration for the programs are ongoing. The programs are: ♦ Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) - an SAT-based, kindergarten readiness program, HIPPY utilizes a curriculum in whieh parents spend 15 minutes a day doing fun and interesting activities with their child. ♦ Parents As Teachers (PAT) - a home-visit program for children aged three and under that helps to increase parents' knowledge of child development and appropriate ways to stimulate intellectual, language, social and physical development. ♦ Parent Participation Preschools - a hands-on program in whieh ehildren play and interact in a culturally rich environment, building up social and academic skills in preparation for kindergarten. The program is offered through 10 locations on O'ahu, three of whieh are

Hawaiian-language immersion sites. For more information, contact Keiki o ka 'Āina Family Learning Centers at 843-2502, or visit www.keikiokaaina.org.