CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Parents play the biggest role in helping young children learn and grow, even beyond the classroom, a provincial early childhood official said Thursday.
Speaking during the Meet the Press forum at SM CDO Downtown Premier, Misamis Oriental Provincial Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Head Maryden Ocot urged parents to remain actively involved in their children's development instead of simply enrolling them in Child Development Centers (CDCs).
"Ka parte ang ginikanan sa early childhood and the parents play a very vital role," Ocot said.
She said parents should reinforce at home the lessons, values, and daily routines introduced by teachers in Pre-K1 and Pre-K2 classes, noting that children learn best when school and home work together.
Misamis Oriental has more than 700 Child Development Centers staffed by over 700 ECCD teachers, providing early education that helps children build cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
But Ocot emphasized that learning does not end when children leave the classroom.
She encouraged parents to spend time reading, talking, playing, and practicing classroom activities with their children, saying consistent support at home helps young learners better understand and retain what they learn in school.
"Minsan lang silang maging bata," she said, reminding parents to cherish and celebrate their children's milestones.
As a working mother herself, Ocot acknowledged that many parents juggle work and family responsibilities, making it easy to miss important moments in their children's lives.
"Isa na sa guilt sa parents, we were too busy sa atong panginabuhi and yet ang bata paspas kaayo mudako, miss na nato ang mga milestone," she said.
Ocot said strong partnerships between families and Child Development Centers are essential to giving children the best possible start in life, with parents serving as their first and most important teachers.
