The concept for Parents as Teachers (PAT) was developed in the 1970s when Missouri educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of learning readiness. Research showed that greater family involvement in children's learning is a critical link in the child's development of academic skills, including reading and writing. Early childhood professionals suggested that a program to help parents understand their role in encouraging their child's development right from birth could help prepare children for school and life success. Such a program, available to all families, would help level the playing field for all children.

With funding from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Danforth Foundation, Parents as Teachers began in 1981 in Missouri as a pilot project for first-time parents of newborns. Convinced of the program's benefits and cost effectiveness, state funding was provided in 1985 to implement the PAT program in all Missouri school districts. Since 1985, Parents as Teachers has expanded to all 50 states and to other countries.

Parents as Teachers is an early childhood parent education and family support program designed to help all parents give their children the best possible start in life. PAT provides parents with information on child development (prenatal through kindergarten entry) and opportunities for parent-child activities that encourage intellectual growth, development of language skills, and development of social and motor skills. These activities also strengthen parent-child relationships.