![\"mom-in-class-with-kids\"](\"https:\/\/www.firstthingsfirst.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/fs-phx-south-2016.jpg\")
Felicitas Padron of Phoenix assumed that her children\u2019s learning started with their kindergarten teacher. The mother of three learned otherwise at the Roosevelt Early Childhood Family Resource Center in Phoenix.<\/p>\nFelicitas Padron of Phoenix assumed that her children\u2019s learning started with their kindergarten teacher. The mother of three learned otherwise at the Roosevelt Early Childhood Family Resource Center in Phoenix.<\/p>\n
With her then 2-year-old son, Joel, and her infant daughter, Padron began participating in the many free parent education classes that aimed to help families prepare their kids for kindergarten. The family resource center, which is funded by First Things First, helps parents fully realize their role as their child\u2019s first teacher.<\/p>\n
Padron was especially concerned for Joel, who had suffered from meningitis, which can cause long-term developmental delays. She had been told over and over about the many things he would not be able to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know how to help him because I didn\u2019t know if he was capable,\u201d Padron said.<\/p>\n
Through the programs at the family resource center, Padron learned low-cost ways to support her children\u2019s learning at home. While the two toddlers participated in learning sessions, mom found a Women\u2019s Support Group at the family resource center, where another mom of a child with special needs wisely advised her not to underestimate Joel. Padron started to set higher expectations for him.<\/p>\n
At first this meant little things like not jumping in to help him with puzzles. She beamed with pride as he completed them without help. Milestones such as mastering tying his shoes followed and all the while he was developing critical skills like self-esteem and responsibility.<\/p>\n
Today, Joel is in the third grade and performs above grade level in reading, writing and math. He takes responsibility to turn in his homework and is even reading the Harry Potter series.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"