Family Focus: Empowering Parents to be Their Child's First Teacher

May 10, 2012 Updated May 10, 2012 at 5:34 PM PDT

"There we go.. Get back.. (cheers)."

Such excitement for pre-schoolers with the Clovis Family Literacy program. After watching their caterpillars transform into butterflies, today is the day they set them free.

"Should I put it on the flower?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay but you can't touch it "

The transformation is fun and educational. A good lesson for these little ones whose moms are in another class, transforming as well.

"Talk to your child kindly? Green.. Remember green is go, that's a good thing."

Clovis Family Literacy is in its 15th year. It's free and empowers parents to become their child's first teacher through active and involved parenting.

"So if we reward misbehavior what is that teaching your daughter?"

On this day, the topic is discipline, offering suggestions on how best to keep kids on task. It's two generations of learning that benefits everyone

"While their children are learning, they're learning and the children see their moms and the moms are actually empowering the children to see how important education is."

The program has a proven track record. Angelica Padilla joined as a young mother from Mexico, unable to read or write. Now, she works for the program.

"Our actions, our words, what we do influences them and will influence them for the rest of their lives. To me it became really important to know as much as possible."

The classes gave her the skills to excel, a great example for her own children.

"Today.. You know.. Last 2010 I graduated from Fresno State, and it was like I guess dreams do come true."

"In one instance the parent said their child said 'oh I loved those days when I came to school with mommy and I was learning and she was learning, and I knew school was good.'"

Clovis Family Literacy. Transforming lives. Allowing families the opportunity to soar!

"Teacher, I'm a butterfly... I'm a butterfly put your wings up."