Realizing her parents’ goal, Aadya loves books

Several years ago I used to visit an Indian family with a 9-month-old daughter named Aadya. Aadya’s parents were concerned because they wanted their daughter to be intelligent and love books, but she hated books. On my first visit after we talked, I pulled out a cardboard book with bright colored pictures and I read it with a great deal of expression – Aadya absolutely loved it and wanted me to read it over and over! Her parents were astonished. I explained the right kinds of books to interest her and left the book with them and continued to bring over books their daughter would enjoy.

During my time with Aadya and her family, I learned a lot about cultural diversity. I learned to take off my shoes at the door. I learned to wear light weight clothing because they kept their apartment very warm. I learned to eat unusual tasting cookies from their country because they always served me a little tray of treats. I learned to get familiar with the smell of curry whenever I walked into their apartment. I learned about India and Hinduism. But most of all, I came to love and enjoy this family a great deal.

After Aadya turned 3 and graduated from our program, her parents kept in touch with cards and notes. A few years later, they moved to Washington, D.C. and several months after that I received a phone call from a firm in D.C. I had encouraged Aadya’s mom to find a job to get out of the house while she lived in Tulsa but she never did. When she left she found the courage to apply and listed me as a reference for a job. A few days later she called me in tears saying she had gotten the job! A few months down the road I received a gift and a note stating that being involved with Parents as Teachers had changed their lives.

My happiest moment with this family, however, happened last year. I received a letter from Aadya’s parents asking me to sponsor Aadya in the school’s read-a-thon. I was thrilled to sponsor her because I realized her parents’ goal of having her love books came to reality. And it all started with Parents as Teachers!

Chris Maricle, parent educator/coordinator
Tulsa Public Schools Parents as Teachers Program
Tulsa, Oklahoma