90% of of a child’s brain develops in the first five years and despite the fact that the majority of mothers believe that formal pre-primary education is very important, only 20% of mothers of KG1-aged children and 3% of mothers of nursery-aged children in Jordan reported enrolling their children.  This means a large proportion of children stay at home, therefore leaving the parents as the main interactor with their child. 

Evidence suggests that family involvement is one of the strongest predictors of long-lasting school success. In the early years, parents are instrumental in providing an enabling environment and learning opportunities that set their child up for learning at school. However, the few parents who reported reading books to their children at earlier ages (up to 18 months) were only around 20%.

The Parent Education Program is an innovative initiative designed to empower parents of children from birth until the age of 5 by equipping them with the tools and knowledge to support their children's early learning and development. Grounded in the globally recognized Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, the program provides parents with practical, interactive guidance to foster essential developmental milestones at home.

Since its launch in 2018, the Parent Education Program has evolved from an in-person training model to a wide-scale online education program that leverages technology to reach and empower more parents than ever before.

Parental Education Program in Action: A Digital Transformation

In its 6th year of implementation, PEP continues to grow, delivering impactful education through two innovative delivery models:

• Self-Led Chatbot Experience: Accessible through WhatsApp, this model allows parents to engage with the program at their own pace.
• Guided WhatsApp Groups: Facilitated by 36 trained educators from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MoIA) and the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), these groups provide structured learning and peer support.

In 2024 alone, PEP reached 13,327 parents, with an overall completion rate of 74.6%. The self-led chatbot model supported 7,378 parents, achieving an impressive 85% completion rate, while ministry-guided groups saw a completion rate of 68%.

To expand its reach and engagement, the program’s affiliated Facebook page, “سنوات طفلي الأولى”, grew to over 700,000 followers and hosted 7 expert live sessions, which attracted more than 2.1 million views. These sessions addressed pressing parenting topics, offering advice and fostering a community of informed, engaged parents.

Program Impact: Transforming Parental Practices

This year, PEP underwent an impact evaluation, which demonstrated significant positive outcomes. Parents reported adopting practices that support their children's development and learning, helping to overcome challenges and nurture healthier developmental trajectories.

Testimonials: Parents and Educators Reflect

"The program played a significant role in helping parents overcome challenging stages in raising their children. The program offer answers to parents’ frequently asked questions and discussions with specialists, many parents were able to support their children’s development in the early years, and they discovered opportunities where their child needs more specialized support. This newfound awareness encouraged them to follow up and support their children, resulting in positive changes and improved development."
— Bouraq Shamayleh, educator and PEP trainer

"Although my experience is over 30 years in education, the program added so much value to me personally—how I interact with my children and how I support their development and learning on a day-to-day basis."
— Lina, mother of a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old

Looking Ahead: Sustaining and Expanding the Impact

As the program enters its next phase, we aim to expand its reach and deepen the impact, by refining its delivery models and partnering with national ministries to scale this initiative while maintaining its high completion rates and impactful results.

PEP’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of technology in reaching parents where it's most convenient. Empowering parents to become proactive participants in their children’s development, ensuring a stronger, brighter future for the youngest generation in Jordan.