Parenting is the toughest job you'll ever love.

And every parent should know they are their child's first teacher.

The Parents as Teachers program in Missouri helps those parents along until their kids reach kindergarten.

It's a free program, any Missouri parent can take part in.

A volunteer educator meets with you and your child for 45 minutes to an hour and works with you on making sure your child is developing at the right pace.

If not, those educators can help bring the kids up to speed so they are ready for school.

Educators can also show parents how to be a good teacher.

"Everyday routine is your classroom. From folding laundry to sorting, to letting them feel the warmth of the closthes. Cooking and shopping. You can use so many teachable moments. It's really trying to get that point across to the parents," says Lisa Myers, a parent educator.

The Parents as Teachers program is tax funded, and this past year was cut ten percent.

State Senator Wes Shoemyer tagged along on this visit to get a firsthand look at what the program does.

However, Shoemyer says his family used Parents as Teachers when his kids were younger, so he knows the value of the program.

Nonetheless, this experience will help him when he goes back to Jefferson City.

"We're going to have some challenges with the budget this next year. I think it will enable me as a legislator to be better equipped to advocate for programs such as this for everyone across the state," says Shoemyer.

Shoemyer adds getting to the children as such an early age puts them on the right path toward a quality education.

If you'd like more information on the Parents as Teachers program in Hannibal, log onto http://www.hannibal.k12.mo.us/PAT0203/index.htm