Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/meaningful-family-engagement/5016318/
Historically, quality early childhood programs have always invited family involvement. The traditional strategies are still tried and true. For instance, it’s not unusual for programs to invite children’s family members to be “helpers” during classroom holiday celebrations; fundraisers when new play equipment is needed; contributors of snack, or chaperones offering an extra pair of hands on field trips.The methods of interacting with families are all well and good; for as far as they go. But if those strategies are the only opportunities for family participation in your program, you are sending a downright insulting message. Namely, it infers families are only welcome to participate on special occasions or when it is beneficial (financially or otherwise) to the program and its staff.
To build authentic partnerships with families, we must go far beyond allowing sporadic visits based on holidays. We must avoid putting higher priority on program needs than families’ needs. And we must move beyond giving mere lip service to the principle of serving children within the family context.
Families deserve to be included in their child’s early group experiences in a more balanced, equal manner. And so that children can bloom to their potential, they ...