Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)

HIPPY Program Overview.

HIPPYis a home-based school readiness program that helps qualifying parents prepare their three-, four-, and returning five-year-old children for success in school. Parents receive the tools, skills, and confidence they need to be their children’s first teachers in the home. Age-appropriate activities, material, and guidance are provided to support parents in this role.

How does HIPPY help children be successful in school?

All parents want their children to be successful, and parents play a critical role in their children’s education.  Preschoolers will be successful in kindergarten and beyond if they have reached certain levels of:

• language development.
• exposure to books
• knowledge of colors and shapes.
• letter recognition.
• ability to listen andfollow instructions

How do families qualify for HIPPY?Families who meet the following criteria may apply to enroll in HIPPY:

• FairfaxCounty residents.
• English is the second language of the family.
• Child is not enrolled in Head Start.

How much does the program cost?There is no monetary cost for families to participate in HIPPY. The only cost to parents is time. Parents spend one hour a week practicing the activities with a home visitor (either in the comfort of their own home or at a mutually acceptable location) and 15 minutes of quality time working with each enrolled child three to five days a week.

Who are the home visitors? The HIPPY program is delivered by trained home visitors who are members of the participating communities they serve. They visit HIPPY parents in their homes weekly to instruct them in using the HIPPY educational materials. Home visitors are crucial to the HIPPY model. Their knowledge of their unique communities and their training allow them to develop trusting relationships with the families and identify with the kinds of challenges parents face.

What do parents receive?

• 30 weekly activity packets delivered during home visits
• 9 storybooks
• a set of 20 manipulative shapes
• other supplies

Questions and Information: For additional information, or to apply, contact Elisabeth Bruzon at 703-277-2645 or Elisabeth.Bruzon@fcps.edu.

(This international program began in 1969 as a research and demonstration project. Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States now make up HIPPY International. Visit http://www.hippyusa.org/ for additional information.)