Co-op Classes Offered For Parents and Kids at Edmonds Community College

Editor's note: This article was written by Terri Buysse, a parent educator at Edmonds Community College.

In January, through the Family Life Education Department (FLED) will offer 10-week infant-parent, toddler-parent and co-operative preschool programs. 

This programs have been offered for more than 25 years.

Studies show that children whose parents are involved in their education and learning are more successful in school. There is no better way to get your child ready for kindergarten (and life in general) than getting on the floor and playing, learning and laughing with your child.

Research also shows that early childhood programs involving both parents and children are more effective than programs focusing exclusively on children. In years past, parents have been highly motivated to sign up for the weekly infant and toddler FLED classes for precisely these reasons. Families have also signed up for classes to meet other families with young children, and to get much-needed support and validation in the difficult task that is parenting. 

The model for co-op preschools (and weekly infant and toddler classes), where parents and children learn and grow together, was established in Washington State in 1938. Because of this model’s unique approach to supporting the growth of both parents and children, the community college system agreed in the 1960s to provide coordination and educational services to children and parents.

Edmonds Community College plays a key role in making these services happen for young children and their families in Snohomish County.

Enrollment in the infant and toddler FLED programs started to decline about three years ago, coinciding with the sharpest economic downturn America has seen since the Great Depression. A drop in the birthrate, most likely related to the struggling economy, may partly explain this drop in enrollment. Word of mouth continues to be the best way to share the experience and value of the various programs.

Most importantly, the need for support and friendship for families with the very youngest children has not gone away. Children are only very young for the briefest of time, not waiting to grow only when the economy improves. Perhaps parents are not aware that scholarships are available for those families who qualify.  Hopefully, financial concerns will never stop a family from benefitting from the FLED weekly programs.

Parent-infant and parent-toddler classes are all offered at the Center for Families at EDCC. A special dad’s class, the only one of its kind in Snohomish County, is offered on Thursday evenings.

Morning classes for infants or toddlers (appropriate for moms, dads and other caregivers) are offered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with a new late-afternoon toddler class scheduled for Wednesdays.

For more information, go to www.edcc.edu/pared, call Laura at 425-640-1665 or e-mail FLED@edcc.edu.