Teaching Kids and Parents

WAITSBURG - A room full of more than a dozen three-to-five-year-olds can be daunting, even when you don't have a camera. Last week when a photographer showed up, almost all of the kids at the Waitsburg Parent Cooperative preschool let it be known that they were thrilled to have their pic- tures taken.

When teacher Cara Watts suggested they break out the blocks, the exuberant tower builders got busy, and then stood proudly next to their works of art. "My kids aren't shy," she said.

The preschool is part of Walla Walla Community College's Early Childhood Parenting Education Pro- gram, providing a learn- ing environment for both children and parents. It is held in a classroom in Preston Hall on the Waits- burg school grounds. The preschool meets Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8:30-11 a.m.

Besides Waitsburg and its on-campus facility in Walla Walla, the program includes off-campus loca- tions in College Place, Bur- bank and Pomeroy.

"Parents spend at least three days in the classroom each month," said Watts. She said the preschool offers many kids their first opportunity to spend time in a group setting with other kids.

"Kids learn lots of things, like how to line up, and how to interact with peers," Watts said. And parents learn new parenting skills to build stronger and healthier families.

The Waitsburg Preschool is holding an open house March 27 between 8:30 and 11 a.m. in the preschool room. Parents in the Waits- burg and Dayton areas are invited to visit with their preschool-aged child. They can reserve slots for next year, and partial scholar- ships are available.

The preschool is open to children aged three to five and their parents. Each par- ent commits to participate in the classroom and attend a monthly parents' class. One parent enrolls with College and receives three college credits per quarter. The Waitsburg preschool is run by a board of directors made up of five parents.

Watts became involved with the preschool in 2000 when her son Alex was three. Alex and his sister, Morgan, both went through the program. When the position of teacher became available in 2005, Watts ap- plied and got the job.

Parent educator Staci Gloyn teaches at theWWCC facility and oversees the programs in Waitsburg, College Place and Burbank. She says the preschools in Walla Walla and Waitsburg have both been operating more than 30 years.

"Several community col- leges in the state used to have preschool programs like ours," said Gloyn. "But because of state cuts, only two programs are left - ours and one on the west side."

Gloyn is happy to pro- vide more information to interest parents about the Waitsburg Preschool and the open house. She can be reached at (509) 386-3706.

As the photo session neared a close, Watts an- nounced that it was snack time. With that, the kids lined up at the classroom door before heading to the washroom. They stood qui- etly for one last photo.