Download ppt - Cd 38 chapter 12 pp.ppt revised oct 2016

Chapter 12: Working With Families

and CommunitiesPlanning and Administering Early Childhood Programs

Tenth EditionNancy FreemanCelia A. DeckerJohn R. Decker

Prepared by:Nancy K. Freeman

Tere HolmesKris Curtis

Adapted by: Katy Kelley

Freeman/Decker/Decker, Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs, 10e© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2001, 1995 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Opening Reflection

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• The most challenging aspects of working with families/parents is….

• The most rewarding aspects of working with families/parents is…


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Early childhood educators collaborate with families

• Many definitions of quality emphasize the importance of partnering with families:

– Head Start Performance Standards– NAEYC Accreditation Standard’s Program

Administrator Core Competencies– NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct– Several NAEYC Position Statements – NAEYC Professional Preparation Accreditation

Criteria– Environmental Rating Scales


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Three Approaches to Working with Families

•Parent Involvement–Parents take initiative to fit into schools’ existing programs

•School/Family Partnerships–Families & schools work together on projects and initiatives that benefit both

•Family Engagement –Creates reciprocal strengths-based partnerships between families and schools


Video Clip-Best Practices in Family Engagement

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Video-clip: Small Group Discussion

• What strategies did you see the program use to engage with families? How did the strategies work together to connect families?

• What strategies do you (or your program) use to engage with families?

• Are there any new strategies that you might want to implement?

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Benefits for children•Healthy relationships linking homes, schools, and communities create “villages” to raise children

•Family/school partnerships smooth children’s entry into school

•Family involvement can support learning and improve behavior

•Families and teachers can advocate for services to meet children’s special needs

•Children see that families and schools have shared goals


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Benefits for families•Participating in their child’s school can enhance family members’ self-esteem and chances for employment

•Observing teachers’ interactions with children can help make parents’ expectations be more developmentally appropriate

•Successful interactions build parents’ confidence in their parenting skills


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Benefits for families (continued)

•Parents can leave children confidently when they trust teachers

•Involved families understand that they are their child’s most important teacher

•Involved families form friendships with each other – they create networks of support


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Benefits for Programs•School personnel who understand families’ cultures work from a strengths perspective

•Involved families are more likely to understand program offerings

•Programs are enhanced by better adult-child ratios

•Families can serve as classroom resources


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Benefits for Programs (continued)

•Program personnel feel respected when families are involved

•Involved families are likely to be the biggest program supporters

•Family members can be program decision-makers


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Potential challenges to family involvement

•Program personnel may need help understanding:–Children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds–The challenges created by various socioeconomic backgrounds –Linguistically diverse children and families –Diverse family structures


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Some family structures are especially likely to be stressful for children

•Single mothers including those living with a partner who is not the child’s father

•Children from gay or lesbian families who are often not positively portrayed in the classroom

•Grandparents as primary guardians, often because of a family crisis


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Meeting challenges of collaboration•Develop positive attitudes about working

collaboratively with families including those whose structure or culture are not like your own

•Have realistic expectations-not all families can/want to participate

•True family engagement is a developmental process – be patient

•Develop positive relationships will all families, including “difficult families”


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To communicate effectively with families

•Be consistently available to all families•Match your communication style to families’ linguistic, cultural and educational backgrounds

•Show interest, respect and caring for each family•Support staff’s efforts to communicate with all families•Each classroom should have a family communication center


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Topics for family bulletin boards or newsletters

•Program information–special events, staff introductions

•Materials for families from professional organizations –NAEYC, ZERO TO THREE, etc.

•Recommend books, toys, media•Community events & resources•Words to favorite songs/finger plays•Recipes for family projects/ crafts


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Vehicles for communicating with families• Spring and fall orientations• Open house or curriculum nights• Special topics meetings• Regular individual conferences• Specially called individual conferences• Home visits• Classroom visits• Workshops or workdays• Phone calls• Social media: Facebook, twitter, etc.


Video Clip-Teacher and Parent Communication

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Program administrators can help families access needed services

•Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) •Subsidized child care• Infant screening programs to identify children’s potential special needs

•Assistance finding a medical home • Information about unemployment benefits•Resources for families who are homeless, in violent settings, needing help with adoption or foster care, etc.


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Tapping in to Community Resources• Invite community members to participate in the center’s Advisory Committee and/or Governing Board.

•Look for varied skills & expertise•Include:–Parents of enrolled children–Representative from licensing or other government agency

–Community resident–Business owner


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Advisory Boards

•Determine the issues they will address•Determine the number of members needed•Identify stakeholders and expertise needed on the boards

•Create expectations about their operations


Group Activity • Please get into groups of 3-4 people• Brainstorm & then write down your programs

approach to family engagement. Discuss & then write down the strategies you would utilize in order to develop a parent engagement plan (surveys, daily exchanges, etc.)

• Next, create a draft parent engagement plan/calendar

• Lastly, describe how you will ensure that your plan is effective

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Next Assignment

Review next assignment!!

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Follow-up Read Chapter 12 & review this weeks PowerPoint Review NAEYC Code of Ethics & bring a copy to

our next class Assignment-Start working on Your Family

Engagement Plan and Your Family Engagement Workshop Summary & Presentation Assignment-Due on 11/29

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