“You are your child’s first teacher”
“You are your child’s first teacher” is a saying that emphasizes the parents’ role in education. The saying was popularized as the title of a bestselling book, You Are Your Child’s First Teacher: What parents can do with and for their children from birth to age six (1989) by Rahima Baldwin Dancy.
“You are your child’s first teacher” has been cited in print since at least 1956.
Google Books
In Your Hands:
The parents’ guide book
By Book House for Children
Lake Bluff, IL: Book House for Children
1956
Pg. 4:
YOU ARE YOUR CHILD’S FIRST TEACHER
The child’s first teachers are his parents. From the moment of birth, the infant’s father and mother are devoted to protecting the life and health of their child.
13 February 1964, Muscatine (IA) Journal, “homemakers Forum” by Irene Lary, pg. 11, col. 2:
You and your home are your child’s first world. You are his first and most important teacher.
22 October 1967, Sunday News and Tribune (Jefferson City, MO), Family Weekly, pg. 3 ad:
In your child’s awakening years, you have an opportunity to give your boy or girl a priceless advantage. For you are your child’s first and best-loved teacher.
(The Read-Me-A Story Program—ed.)
OCLC WorldCat record
You are your child’s first teacher
Author: Bernice Williams
Publisher: 1972.
Dissertation: Project requirement (M.Ed.)—University of Toledo, 1972.
Edition/Format: Thesis/dissertation : Thesis/dissertation : Manuscript Archival Material : English
Google Books
Tuning In To Your Child:
Awareness training for parents
By Betty Rowen
Atlanta, GA: Humanics Press
1975
Pg. 2:
You are your child’s first teacher.
Google News Archive
7 June 1983, The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), “Report stresses cooperation” by Gerald L. Hester, Superintendent, School Talk, pg. 5, col. 2:
The president’s commission members closed their report with a “word to parents.” They said, in part, “As surely as you are your child’s first and most influential teacher, your child’s ideas about eduation and its significance begin with you.”
OCLC WorldCat record
You are your child’s first and most important teacher!
Author: Hawaii. Dept. of Education. Leeward District Office.
Publisher: [Waipahu] : Leeward Oahu District, Dept. of Education, State of Hawaii, [1987]
Edition/Format: Book : State or province government publication : English
OCLC WorldCat record
You are your child’s first teacher
Author: Rahima Baldwin
Publisher: Berkeley, Calif. : Celestial Arts, ©1989.
Edition/Format: Book : English
OCLC WorldCat record
You are your child’s first teacher : what parents can do with and for their children from birth to age six
Author: Rahima Baldwin Dancy
Publisher: Berkeley, CA : Celestial Arts, 2000.
Edition/Format: Book : English