Attend first HIPPY graduation
HippyPotamus greeted Clarke County supporters of the HIPPY program at the first Monroe County graduation ceremony in May. Attending the event (front, L-R) were Henri Christian and Debra Grayson; (back, L-R) are Judy Graham, HippyPotamus, Sharon Jones, Lou Boykin, Denise Flowers and Steve James. Parents and children were presented with HIPPY diplomas for their achievements by their parent educators. The ceremony and reception fostered great pride among the participants. The Clarke County program is now forming. Other southwest Alabama programs have begun in Mobile and Conecuh counties as well. HIPPY works to ensure that children enter school knowing letters, shapes, colors and motor skills. Parent educators visit the homes weekly and deliver a packet of lessons, books, shapes and enrichment materials. The parent educator makes sure the parent knows how to teach the various lessons, but the parent does the actual teaching. There are 30 weeks of lessons. If a child is enrolled as a 3 year old and remains in the program, 300 lessons are covered. This allows for cognitive learning to take place, but a lot of things that can't be measured on a skills test also occur. For example, when a parent works with their child on the HIPPY lessons for 10- 15 minutes, five days a week with their child, the child knows intuitively how special he or she is. Also, the child knows that education is a strong value in the home. Bonding between the parent and child is strengthened, special memories are created and parents appreciate and understand the unique way their child learns. Self-esteem is fostered through a sense of competency and a lifelong love of learning is established. A total of 12 counties in Alabama currently participate in the HIPPY program. Jackson City Councilman Eddie Huggins has been a champion of HIPPY since it was introduced in Clarke County. Along with others interested in the program, he has attended meetings focusing on how to kick off HIPPY in the county and see it through to fruition.
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