Description
Book SynopsisHome–school relationships have always been a cornerstone of children’s success and well-being. But cultivating positive, supportive partnerships between educators and families is an ongoing process, one that requires reciprocal respect and communication to grow. Use the practical information and ideas in this book to develop and embed a culture of family engagement in all aspects of your early childhood program, from curriculum planning to addressing children’s individual needs, by
- Creating a welcoming environment for families
- Providing many ways for families to engage in the program and their children’s learning
- Ensuring two-way communication and addressing communication challenges
- Building on learning opportunities families already provide at home
- Supporting diverse home languages and cultures
- Collaborating on community-wide efforts
Packed with strategies, resources, and examples from early childhood programs, this book illustrates numerous ways to engage families in your early childhood community so that together, families + educators = thriving children.
Trade Review“The title says it all! For everyone who works with young children, this essential book is easy to read and well researched, and it includes many family engagement stories that connect that research to real-life experiences. The practical strategies emphasize how children’s learning is enhanced when families are engaged and involved in the process.”—Barbara Kaiser, consultant, trainer, and co-author of
Challenging Behavior in Young Children“This is an important book for teachers, coaches, program leaders, family educators, and anyone who wants to build culturally responsive relationships with families. The strategies, resources, and examples of effective family engagement in this book are based on current research and theories on how to build mutual, respectful family partnerships.” —Debbie Leekeenan, early childhood consultant and co-author of
From Survive to Thrive and Leading Anti-Bias Early Childhood ProgramsTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Understanding Family Engagement Chapter 2: The Role of Teachers in a Comprehensive Family Engagement Approach Chapter 3: Family Engagement in Action Chapter 4: Communicating with Families Chapter 5: Connecting Home and Program Teaching and Learning Chapter 6: Partnering with the Community Appendix: Family Engagement Resources References Acknowledgments About the Authors
