Children witness nearly everything—their parent’s highs and lows, how they treat others, how they handle life’s challenges, and how they strive toward their goals. When Barbara Kennedy experienced postpartum depression, she found support through Laurens County First Steps, gaining the resources and encouragement she needed to be the best example for her daughter. 

Barbara enrolled in Parents as Teachers (PAT), a program designed to increase parent knowledge of early childhood development and improve positive parenting practices through one-on-one home visits, empowering parents to become their child’s first teacher. 

Through one-on-one sessions with her parent educator, Ms. Lisa, Barbara gained practical tools including activities, handouts, and strategies that deepened her understanding of everything from early literacy and vocabulary development to parent-child bonding. 

“When I first became a mother, I was just trying to figure things out,” she said. “Meeting with Ms. Lisa and doing the weekly sessions really motivated me. It showed me how to talk with my kid. Lisa told me, ‘Whatever you say to her, however you talk to her, that's what she's going to learn.’ She doesn’t talk to her like a baby. She talks to her like a person.” 

Barbara soon began to see the difference. Tiana was absorbing everything Ms. Lisa said. She began mimicking routines from the visits and carrying them into her everyday life.  

“I knew the program was right for us,” Barbara said. “When I watch and listen to what Lisa says and does, I can pass that on to my daughter.” 

Inspired by Ms. Lisa’s influence, Barbara wanted to model that same kind of impact. Through their sessions, she learned how to be more intentional with language and create a literacy-rich environment at home.  

Barbara also enrolled in Laurens County First Steps' Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that sends a free book each month to children from birth to age five. With each new book, she built a regular reading routine with her daughter, encouraging questions and helping her develop critical thinking skills.

As they read together, Barbara began having what she calls “big conversations” with Tiana, building not only her vocabulary, but also her confidence. 

"A lot of parents, they think they need to go down to their level, but I want to rise my daughter up to my level,” she said. “Parents as Teachers gave me that foundation.” 

Today, Tiana is now enrolled in free, full-day 4K, where she’s thriving. As Barbara proudly puts it, her daughter is now “excited about life.” With reliable childcare in place, Barbara has returned to school herself. She is pursuing a business degree and hopes to work in human resources.  

“It’s important for your child to see you succeed,” Barbara said. “You have to see the big picture—it’s not just about you. It’s about the kind of person your child will grow up to be.” 

Learn more about Parents as Teachers and other parenting programs offered by First Steps. 

Topics: Local Partnerships, Parenting