Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/dear-eli/5026096/
Planning family events often takes many hours of staff time. When only a few families come, it feels frustrating, like a lost opportunity. How can our center plan events that will really draw families?
Yours,
Families Welcome!
Dear Family Friend,
Families truly are the life force of our programs, and family engagement is something we are all constantly striving to improve. We know that our families are unique, and we balance varying priorities when it comes to their participation in early learning programs. To increase family involvement, it is helpful to include the families in the overall planning process. Start with some key questions:
Which days and times would work best for you?
What types of activities would you and your children enjoy?
What talents or skills can you offer to the planning process or the event itself?
Often, parents and caregivers have very clear ideas about what would be enjoyable for both themselves and their children. Including feedback and input from the families will also help give them a sense of ownership and involvement, making your events more meaningful and boosting the likelihood that folks will actually attend.
We tend to plan events ...