Raising Readers, Raising Resilience: A Conversation on Parenting and Child Development

On Thursday, June 5, 2025, AVANCE-Houston, in partnership with the University of St. Thomas, hosted a powerful and thought-provoking panel discussion titled “The Impact of Parenting on Children’s Social-Emotional Development & Early Literacy.” The event brought together parents, educators, mental health professionals, and community leaders to explore how parenting practices shape a child’s emotional well-being and early learning outcomes.

Guests began the day by connecting with fellow parents, educators, and community partners over light refreshments, setting the tone for a warm and collaborative atmosphere.

The panel featured an outstanding lineup of experts, including:

• Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, The Jung Center of Houston
• Claudia I. Macias, Assistant Director, Brain Builders
• Marsele Crockens, Head Start Parent
• Brianne Morales, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Each panelist brought unique insights to the conversation. Macias shared creative, hands-on strategies for promoting early literacy at home, such as turning everyday items like cereal boxes into engaging learning games. Her ideas sparked excitement among parents, showing how simple materials can become powerful tools for learning and connection.

Crockens, AVANCE’s Head Start parent, offered a heartfelt perspective on the parenting journey. She reminded attendees that “no parent is perfect—we’re all perfectly imperfect.” Her words resonated deeply with the audience, reinforcing the importance of grace, growth, and community support in raising children.

Morales emphasized the importance of helping both children and parents learn to regulate their emotions. She discussed how emotional regulation is a foundational skill that supports healthy relationships, learning readiness, and long-term mental well-being. Her insights encouraged parents to model calm, responsive behavior and to create safe spaces for children to express their feelings.

The discussion emphasized the importance of responsive parenting in helping children develop empathy, self-regulation, and a lifelong love of learning. Families are left with both practical strategies and emotional encouragement for navigating the early years of child development.

“When parents are emotionally present and attuned to their children, they lay the foundation for resilience, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning. Social-emotional development and early literacy are not separate paths—they grow together in the soil of secure relationships.” — Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, The Jung Center of Houston.

Following the panel, parents were invited to participate in a guided tour of the University of St. Thomas campus. This experience offered families a meaningful glimpse into the possibilities of higher education and inspired many to envision bright futures for their children.

This panel discussion would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We sincerely thank the University of St. Thomas for hosting and sponsoring the event, Ambassador Services, LLC, and H-E-B for their continued partnership in supporting programs that break generational trauma and poverty cycles.

This event was a testament to the power of community, education, and shared knowledge. Together, we build stronger families, empowered parents, and thriving children—one conversation at a time.