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A Note from the Team
A Note from the Team
Children do not come to us as a blank slate. They have a whole different world, separate from our classroom that they inhabit. This world has people we don't know, places we don't know, experiences we don't know, and sometimes very real fears we don't know. We are only a piece of a much bigger puzzle that makes up a child's existence.
As the adults, it is our job to get a feel for what that puzzle looks like. We can't make sure our pieces fit if we don't. It is crucial that we involve families in all aspects of our work. Is the work we're doing in alignment with values and experiences of the world's our children inhabit? Can families use the same information we are teaching children at home? Are we giving families knowledge they can pass on to other children, family members, and community - thus enriching and and having an affect on a much larger scale?
Our work needs to align with what our children need in life. Only our families can give us that insight. Embrace them. Seek to understand and collaborate with them. With them, we will truly learn and grow in our expertise.
~The ECSE Team
Step 1: Understand the Research Around Family Engagement
Step 1: Understand the Research Around Family Engagement
Take time to read the materials provided. Consider recommended practices for collaboration with families. Reflect on your current practices. Where are you strong? What might you do to improve collaboration? Save these answers for your assessment.
Copy of policy-statement-on-family-engagement (1).pdfTeaming with Parents.pdfCopy of Connecting-with-Families_tipsheet.pdfCopy of communicating_with_families.pdfCopy of Communicating-with-Families (1).pdfStep 2: Consider Your Current Plan
Step 2: Consider Your Current Plan
Consider your school year and how many days you are in session. Then lay out how many time you connect with families over the year - parent conferences, family nights, newsletter, etc. Do you feel you communicate with parents enough? Do you feel your communication gets across the information you feel is really important and that parents need to know?
Step 3: Consider How You Collaborate WITH Parents
Step 3: Consider How You Collaborate WITH Parents
It is one thing to communicate with parents. It is another to collaborate WITH parents. How do you elicit input on things like content, the running of your program, the layout of your classroom, events, policies, classroom rules, etc.? As an educator, you have probably had many instances where you wish you had been asked something before it was in place, rather than after. Parents are the same way. Allow them to engage with decision making.
Consider the observation checklist as you think.
Pyramid-Practices-Checklist for Families.pdfStep 4: Become Familiar with the Family Modules Around Behavior
Step 4: Become Familiar with the Family Modules Around Behavior
There are modules that have been created for programs to share with families who are interested in learning more about social development and behavior for preschoolers. It coincides with the Pyramid Model Content that programs are working with and aligns with many of the Backpack Connections. They are intended to be done in a series for families of children who want to learn more about dealing with challenging behaviors. They are a great way to connect with these families in a positive way and allow to be partners in a collaborative way. All families are welcome to attend and learn more.
Become familiar with what is there. It is not a requirement that these slides be presented to an interested parent group, but it is an option. If they are not used, develop a plan for how Pyramid Concepts can be shared with parents to promote consistency in vocabulary and expectations. Consistency is the key to children acquiring skills quickly and easily.
Step 5: Create a Plan
Step 5: Create a Plan
Things that are written are more likely to be followed. How are you coing to regularly share the practices with families? Write it down somewhere and be ready to share you plan in the assessment.
Step 6: Complete the Checklist
Step 6: Complete the Checklist
Complete the checklist for families and discuss the results with your coach. Be ready to provide specific evidence of why you marked it as you did. Discuss your strengths and any needs that you see.
Pyramid-Practices-Checklist for Families.pdfStep 7: Connecting with Families Assessment
Step 7: Connecting with Families Assessment
Complete the assessment to share your plans for connecting with families - especially around challenging behaviors.
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