My HIPPY Experience

To work as an Assistant Coordinator or Coordinator for HIPPY one must attend Pre-Service which is a 5 day learning experience. Before attending pre-service I knew very little about HIPPY other than it stood for Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters. I attended my pre-service August 8th-12th, 2011 and I learned quickly that my job, if done correctly, could help change lives. If I would do my job in the way I was being trained while in Little Rock, Arkansas I would be able to make a difference in other people's lives. A great deal of information is fed to us in this 5 day process. I soaked in the information like a sponge. When I go into something I go into it whole heartily and give it more than my all. I could tell by the classes that I was taking I would need every little bit of the information and then some to be successful and have an outstanding program. I met some really great people there and learned from awesome teachers. On the last night of our training we were all taken to dinner where we were the entertainment. We all had to participate in a talent show. I decided to do a poem that I had written while there.

My HIPPY Experience

I left Alabama

     and the ones I hold dear.

I came to this place

    and found nice people here.

I have learned a new Model.

    I have learned to Role Play

I have learned to help others

    in such a new way.

I am really sire now

    that a village indeed

Is what our children will have

    so they can truly succeed.

For this I now see

    and come what may

I have been instructed

    by HIPPY USA!

I know that I will always remember my experience of going to Little Rock and my love for my job will only continue to grow. I have watched as children grew in our program this year. We helped foster a love for learning. I watched children with speech problems excel and become above level readers and their speech get better. I also watched as children became closer to their parents as their parents took an active role in their education. In HIPPY we are changing the world one child at a time!

I can honestly say that I love my job!!! I love the HIPPY program and the fact that it teaches parents how to be effective teachers and guides in their own children's learning experiences. I love that it expresses the importance of family involvement.