The Parents As Teachers association is part of each school district in Missouri. It works with children from infancy to kindergarten on learning skills. The funding increase will allow educators to spend more time with the families. The association also provides training for the parents on how to work with their kids.

According to health experts, a child's brain is fully developed by the time they're four-years-old. The national Parents as Teachers Association says this makes early childhood development very important

"Its strictly to identify potential problems or things that you should work on, said parent Tom O'Neal. And what better to prepare them to know that there is an issue and to give you the chance to address it."

Everyone is eligible to participate in the Parents as Teachers program. All you need to do is contact your local school district.

"They have lots of creative ways to educate your child, to socialize your child, and also help with screenings so that you know that your child is going to be ready for kindergarten when its time for them to enter school," said Carolyn O Neal.

Ashland Parents as Teachers instructors work with kids on things like language and motor skills before the child ever enters kindergarten.

Missouri is the only state that offers the parents as teachers program for free. The paid instructors often work with the same child for years.

For the O'Neals and other Missouri families, the Governor's extra funds could mean a little more help when it comes to raising their kids.

Nearly half of eligible families in Missouri participate in the Parents As Teachers program.