When Ross Worthman started pre-K, he had a nickname: “the little sloth.”
When he started school, Ross would often resist participating, choosing instead to lie down in a corner in his class. Sometimes he’d stay there for half the day. Even what were intended to be fun family trips to the park could trigger a massive meltdown.
“He would be screaming,” said Ross’ mom, Rebekah Worthman.
That was before she joined the Edna Martin Christian Center’s program, Parents as Teachers. The initiative is a free home visiting program where certified parent educators meet with families to provide resources for raising small children.
With the help of a parent educator, the far east side mom set goals for herself and for Ross. Together, they explored new forms of play therapy and worked to establish schedules for everything from potty training to bedtime.
Rebekah reflected on her 4-year-old’s progress on a recent Friday evening as he played with ease alongside other kids in a colorful ballpit. The single mom told Mirror Indy she’s feeling confident about her son’s next major milestone: kindergarten.
Ross was one of seven children to graduate May 29 from Parents as Teachers. He was part of the group’s first class of soon-to-be kindergarteners to complete the program.
Educators sent the children off in style. Each kid crafted their own commencement cap and took turns parading up a long red carpet stretching the length of the Edna Martin classroom. Ross smiled at his mom’s side as he was presented a certificate for his participation in the program.
“He’s ready,” Rebekah said. “These guys have helped me out so much.”
Supporting families
The Edna Martin initiative was launched in April 2024. The educators are trained to assess children for developmental milestones, paying attention to how kids’ communication, behavioral and fine motor skills progress.
Support is available to families from pregnancy through kindergarten. Educators typically visit parents in their homes at least once a month. Sometimes, they come more frequently if more support is needed.
Educators share their knowledge, bring fun games for the kids, and can help families understand whether their children are meeting important developmental benchmarks. If something’s of concern, the educators can help families request screenings and find appropriate therapies.
Get the backstory
If a child is struggling with communication, for example, an educator might bring books to their next home visit and help establish a daily reading routine.
Rebekah said she valued that her educator, Veronica Wines, always arrived with supplies in hand, including everything from paint and crafts to diapers and wipes.
“They look at where your strengths are and where your weaknesses are and help support you,” Rebekah said. “If they don’t have it, they’ll find somebody who does.”
Educators, for example, connect families to social services, such as community diaper banks and federal nutrition programs, to help parents navigate some of the new costs they’ll take on with their toddlers and newborns.
Parent connections
Edna Martin’s staff also plan monthly group meetings allowing parents to connect, share their experiences and trade advice. A parent of a toddler, for example, can let families of newborns know what to expect when their little one hits the “terrible twos.”
It’s also a space for the little ones to meet other kids and connect socially. The ultimate goal, program directors say, is to provide everything a family needs to prepare their children for their first days of school.
“My hopes for them are that they are able to use their social skills and that they’re able to make friends,” said Angielena Williams, Edna Martin’s director of early childhood special initiatives. “and that they’re able to just learn, learn as much as they can.”
Rebekah said she’s felt herself grow more confident in her parenting through the program. Not only has Ross learned how to redirect his emotions when big feelings hit, but Rebekah said she now knows how to calmly react when things don’t go to plan.
Ross even won an award at school recently: “Best Friend to Play With.”
“Everybody said that he was the most fun to play with — his classmates, his teachers,” Rebekah said. “He grew exponentially.”
How to sign up for Parents as Teachers
As some children graduate from the program, Parents as Teachers is enrolling new families. The program accepts parents from the time they find out they’re pregnant up until their child is 4 ½ years old. Parents must live in Marion County.
To get started, email slaplante@ednamartincc.org.
Rebekah said she was a bit scared at first to pursue the program, but her advice to other parents considering it is simple: “at least try it out.”
“Everybody needs something,” Rebekah said. “Come in and see how much they can do for you.”
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
