Many parents of first-year Head Start students are thankful this holiday season for how their children have improved with learning and verbal skills in just a few short months.

Fifth Ward Head Start parent Justice Pugh is pleased that her 3-year-old son Justin has developed well with his writing and reciting the alphabet.

“I have noticed his words the most and he loves to talk plus he’s very adventurous,” she said.

Pugh was at the school to enjoy a turkey lunch with her son before the holiday and commented that he enjoys eating at the table and using his manners.

“He tells me that he wants to have lunch every day because he does while at school,” Pugh said.

She found out about HCDE’s Head Start program while researching online and liked the reviews she saw, so she knew it would be a good fit for her son.

Miracle Valdez also has a 3-year-old son who is in his first year at Fifth Ward.

“I wanted to put him in the Head Start program because I thought it would help him more in his development,” she said.

In the last three months, Valdez has noticed that he is talking more and understanding conversations.

“He now gives me books to read to him and likes to sit at the table to eat and wants me to sit with him,” she said.

For more information about Head Start: www.hcde-texas.org/head-start.