Wooden Fish Parents First is a certified
Parents as Teachers affiliate program.
Parents First is voluntary and supportive — not a mandated or investigative service.
Wooden Fish Parents First is an official affiliate of Parents as Teachers, an internationally recognized evidence-based family support model. Our Parent Educators complete specialized training in child development, family engagement, and early learning. The program is used in communities across the country to help children grow healthy, safe, and ready for school.
We believe parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. Our role is not to judge or tell you how to raise your child, but to walk alongside you as you learn your child’s personality, needs, and strengths.
Every family deserves someone in their corner.
Every enrolled family receives 4 types of support:
1. Personal Visits
(Your Family Coach)
A trained Parent Educator meets with your family regularly —
in your home, virtually, or wherever you feel most comfortable.
These visits are relaxed and child-focused,
not clinical or judgmental.
Together we:
✔ Learn what your child is working on developmentally
✔ Practice simple play-based learning activities
✔ Talk through sleep, behavior, routines, and transitions
✔ Support school readiness and confidence
✔ Help you understand why your child does what they do
✔ Answer real-life parenting questions
You’ll leave each visit with ideas you can use the same day.
Who Should Enroll?
Parents First is for any parent or caregiver raising a young child — you do not need to be experiencing problems to participate.
This program may be especially helpful if you:
Are expecting a baby
Learn what to expect developmentally, how to bond early, and how to prepare your home and routines before your child arrives.
Have a baby or toddler
Understand sleep, behavior, crying, feeding, and developmental milestones without guessing or comparing online.
Want your child ready for preschool/kindergarten
We focus on play-based learning that builds language, attention, self-control, and confidence — the real foundations of school success.
Feel unsure about development
If you’ve ever wondered “Is this normal?” — we help you understand what’s typical and when extra support helps.
Are parenting for the first time (or the fifth)
Every child is different. Parents often join for one child and stay for the next.
Want a trusted person to ask real questions
No judgment. No lectures. Just guidance from someone trained in child development.
Families From All Backgrounds Are Welcome:
✔ First-time parents
✔ Single parents
✔ Two-parent households
✔ Working families
✔ Stay-at-home caregivers
✔ Teen parents
✔ Experienced parents
✔ Foster & kinship caregivers
Our Approach
We follow a relationship-based model. That means we don’t come with a checklist of how your home should look or how your child should behave.
Instead, we:
✔ Listen first
✔ Build trust over time
✔ Share research-based guidance
✔ Support your goals for your child
You remain the expert on your child. We provide tools, knowledge, and encouragement.
What we are NOT!
Parents As Teachers is NOT:
-
A Child Protective Services
-
A mandated program
-
A therapy or counseling
-
A based on income or parenting “skill level”
We want families to feel comfortable reaching out.
This is a voluntary support program for any family who wants guidance, reassurance, or connection during the early years.
Cost
Parents First is a voluntary family support program. Services are provided at no cost to families thanks to community support and funding partnerships.
FAQs
Parents First is a voluntary family support program. Services are provided at no cost to families thanks to community support and funding partnerships.
Ready to enroll?
Are you interested in Parents as Teachers? Do you know someone who would benefit from this program?
Fill out the form below to get started and one of our Educators will reach out to talk more about becoming involved with Parents as Teachers!Call (503) 740-6068 or fill out the online referral form, and we will get back to you shortly!