Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/partnering-with-families-is-your-program-performing-at-its-peak/5026276/
When you hear the words partnering with families, what image, language, or notion is evoked? Family engagement, connections, relationships, support, or communication? There are many ways to consider and explore what is meant by partnering with families. This intentional and meaningful engagement might include policies written to ensure families feel included or program practices that support parent involvement. Policy decisions might incorporate parent input on program-level decisions and advocacy efforts, or programs might generously share resources that support parents’ need for information on child development and early education. When well structured as a shared responsibility between families, schools, and the community, a strong partnership will support families’ confidence and encourage deeper connections between home and school.
Successful Partnership
The National Association for the Education of Young Children values parent/family engagement as evidence of a high-quality learning program. A well-built system of family partnership is positive, respectful, designed to be continuous, and has the power to impact learning and achievement. With an intentional link between strong parent-child bonds and a relationship built on trust between families and teaching staff, a successful partnership could include a program initiative that promotes positive parent-child relationships and also connects families to peers and the community.
Families fortunate ...