Parent Education through Parent Child Participation

Parent Education through Parent Child Participation includes circle time, outdoor play, creative play, sensory play, and various hands-on activities based on weekly themes such as letters of the alphabet, shapes, and other age-appropriate lessons. Children work in small groups and take part in activities, lessons, and music that introduce literacy, math, and science. The program also includes field trips, which may be scheduled for additional fees throughout the session.

• Ages: 2–4 years old
• Schedule: PC2 meets in sections across the year on Wednesdays from 9:00am–11:30am; PC3 meets in sections across the year on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with class from 9:00am–12:00pm on Tuesdays and 12:30pm–2:30pm on Thursdays; PC4 meets in sections across the year on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with class from 12:30pm–2:30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 9:00am–12:00pm on Thursdays.
• Price: Parent Education through Parent Child Participation-2: $165 per section; Parent Education through Parent Child Participation-3: $235 per section; Parent Education through Parent Child Participation-4: $305 per section; field trips may have additional fees, and a separate material fee is paid directly to the instructor.

Orientation for Parent Education through Parent Child Participation is mandatory and is held online. All children must meet Downey Unified School District age requirements by being age 2, 3, or 4 on or before September 1, 2026, depending on the class. A copy of immunization records is required for the child, and a TB screening or TB test is required for both the parent and the child. Prior authorization and document submission are required to complete enrollment, course payment is due upon registration, and there are no refunds or class transfers for these Community Education classes. Failure to reach out to [email protected] to ensure proper class registration may result in being dropped from the course.

For parents of two-year-olds, the class provides a forum to discuss the many developmental demands of parenting a two-year-old, with discussion topics that include social, emotional, and cognitive development, routines, building early math and literacy skills, sensory play, potty training, and more. In the three-year-old class, parents observe and interact with their preschooler in class each Tuesday, and discussion topics focus on three-year-old ages and stages, discipline, reading readiness, self-esteem, safety, and more. Thursday lab classes for three-year-olds give children time to work in small groups, develop independence, engage in creative and sensory play, and foster social skills, with weekly themes that introduce literacy, math, and science through activities, lessons, and music.

Parent Education through Parent Child Participation-4 closely models Downey Unified School District’s kindergarten experience for the child and is intended to support a smooth transition into kindergarten the following year. The class curriculum for the children aligns with DUSD’s commitment to 21st Century Learning. For parents, this class includes weekly discussion sessions led by the instructor on topics such as building social skills, effective discipline, advocacy in the classroom, facilitating a child’s growing independence, and preparing for kindergarten, along with guest speakers and a complete kindergarten readiness assessment.

The program is part of Downey Adult School Career and Education Center, which has been serving the community for over 70 years. The school’s mission states that it provides high-quality, relevant, and accessible programs for adults in a variety of areas. Downey Adult School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and by the Council on Occupational Education. The leadership team for this program lists Counselor Robert Dame and Registrar Julia Gonzalez.

Last updated July 6, 2026.