Desarrollando un Futuro Mejor a través del Liderazgo de los Padres
Building a Better Future Through Parent Leadership
“Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will make it mine.”
Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors (AP) is the nation’s first evidence-based leadership training
program designed by and for Latino parents of 0-5 year old children. Our two-generation approach
acknowledges and honors parents’ aspirations for their children, and supports them with the
information and tools to become powerful agents of change for their families and communities. AP
is honored to partner with the Campaign for Grade Level Reading in its groundbreaking initiative to
change the conversation about the lifelong impact of early literacy for all children. When parents
understand their role as their child’s first teacher, and the impact of early language development on
their child’s 3rd grade literacy proficiency, they are eager to put their new knowledge into practice.
Research tells us that the cognitive gap between Latino children and their white peers begins well
before Kindergarten – as early as 20 months, as demonstrated recently by Dr. Bruce Fuller at U. C.
Berkeley. The difference, according to Dr. Fuller, is that the parents of white children are talking,
reading and responding more with their children – even before they can speak.
The AP curriculum takes this type of research off of the shelf and makes it accessible to parents. The
“popular education” design of the AP curriculum – emphasizing parent input, interactive learning
and familiar sayings, music and games - builds on participants’ cultural strengths to transform the
achievement gap into an opportunity to improve and enrich the lives of children. Available in both
Spanish and English, the 10 sessions promote early literacy throughout, while demystifying
bilingualism and language development. Parent Pledge Cards, developed in collaboration with CGLR,
have encouraged parents to read with their children more frequently and increase library visits. AP
has distributed 50,000 pledge cards through our national partners, including National Head Start
Association, Catholic Charities USA, Partnership for Community Action, and United Way Worldwide.
A new early math component is in development. The curriculum blends these lessons with
information and tools that promote family leadership advocacy on behalf of their children and
families. Parents leave the program armed with new knowledge about local data and resources, an
understanding of their rights and responsibilities, and a toolbox of actionable items that they can
use on a daily basis to promote school readiness in their children.
Two independent evaluations underscore the positive impact of the AP program. A 2012 UC Berkeley
study found that parents made significant gains in their knowledge about early childhood development,
language and literacy, school preparation, and confidence in parenting and advocacy skills. A 2014 Child
Trends Random Control Study confirmed that participating parents demonstrated significant growth in
parenting practices that promote school readiness. The Child Trends evaluation also found high
satisfaction levels by both parents and facilitators. One parent expressed her gratitude this way:
“Abriendo Puertas helped me understand my role as the leader of my family. I learned
that a lot of kids don’t read well and it’s hard for them to catch up. Miguel is 3 years old.
We have fun going to the library, reading books and telling stories. It’s like the saying: if
you don’t look forward, you stay behind. He will go to a university one day.”
Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors
www.ap-od.org