PACT: Parents and Children Together

How We Implement PACT at First Wave Families

At First Wave Families, our commitment to supporting strong, healthy bonds between parents and children is central to everything we do. One of the most powerful ways we foster these relationships is through the Parents and Children Together (PACT) program, which we integrate into our daily schedule. When parents arrive at the center each morning, PACT Time is the very first thing they do, setting a positive and engaging tone for the rest of their day. This structured, interactive time is inspired by Maryland Family Network’s guidelines, designed to promote healthy child development and strengthen parent-child relationships.

What PACT Looks Like in Practice

1. Parent and child sit opposite each other to maintain engagement, give the child full attention, and support reading the child’s cues.

2. Parent offers the child two play choices within the activity to allow the child to show their interests to parent, offer control in play, and encourage choices.

3. Parent follows the lead of the child in the child’s play to encourage and support the child’s interests, problem solving, confidence, and exploration. 

 During PACT Time, a parent and child sit together—ideally opposite each other, so they can easily make eye contact and read each other’s facial expressions. By encouraging face-to-face interaction, we promote deeper engagement, enhanced communication, and stronger emotional connections. Staff members are close by to coach and guide parents, offering support as they and their children explore different play choices. The goal is not only to help parents follow their children’s cues, but to help them learn skills such as offering the right amount of choice, encouraging exploration, and matching their child’s developing interests.

These simple activities can have profound effects. By offering the child a chance to select from two play choices, parents promote their children’s sense of autonomy and help them understand they have a voice in their own play. This practice shows children that their thoughts and preferences matter. Equally important is following the child’s lead: by letting children guide their own play, parents can tap into their child’s natural curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and self-confidence. Our staff gently step in to provide guidance and support where needed, ensuring parents feel comfortable and capable of engaging with their child in meaningful ways.

Why PACT Matters

Research shows that PACT Time can help children develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills, while also helping parents learn valuable strategies to support their children’s growth and learning. Parents become more attuned to their children’s cues and interests, which can lead to reduced stress at home, more productive interactions, and an overall boost in family well-being. Our staff has seen firsthand how these brief moments of guided play can spark a child’s creativity and open the door to deeper connection with their parent.

Beyond these developmental benefits for the child, PACT Time offers critical resources for parents as well. Staff members model positive behaviors, such as reflective listening, empathetic communication, and child-led problem-solving. Parents get to practice these skills in real time, building their confidence and competence. By participating in PACT every day, parents establish a routine that reinforces mutual respect and cooperation, laying a foundation for long-term family success.

A Key Part of Our Program

We believe that PACT Time is essential for fostering the kind of nurturing, two-generational relationships that help families thrive. It’s not just an activity on the schedule; it’s a purposeful practice that supports both parent and child in discovering new ways to connect, grow, and learn from each other. We’re proud to incorporate Maryland Family Network’s established guidelines, which are part of the Family Service Learning and Family Learning programs, to ensure that our PACT implementation is both research-driven and responsive to the real needs of the families we serve.

If you would like to learn more about PACT or are interested in seeing it in action, we invite you to contact us. We’re always excited to share how these daily, intentional moments of play can create lasting change in the lives of children and families. By continuing to support and refine PACT Time, we remain committed to fulfilling our mission of helping every family that walks through our doors build a brighter, stronger future together.