FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS

We believe in partnering with parents. Family engagement and communication are the cornerstone of the program because parent involvement enhances children’s achievement, attitudes and behavior, and help them feel more comfortable in new settings. We respect and support each family’s background and culture, values and traditions, and encourage feedback, input, and open communication. We welcome parents as experts on their children, and as partners in setting goals to best serve their child’s needs, strengths, and interests. We offer an open-door policy, allowing parents to visit and participate in our programs at any time.

We depend on each family’s insight to guide how we work with the children, exchange development information and experiences, continue classroom learning at home, and share the wonderful things that happen each day. Parents are encouraged to lend their knowledge and talents to the classroom. Involvement can take many forms, from contributions that family members can make from home to volunteering in the classroom. Here are a few ways parents can get involved in their child’s education:

• Sharing a talent or job Family members can share their knowledge and experience with the children. The possibilities are endless: playing an instrument, teaching the children about carpentry, or demonstrating a skill.
• Sharing your culture Families who are willing to share aspects of their cultural heritage enrich the program greatly. You could cook a traditional dish with the children, teach them dances, read a traditional story, or tell stories of your childhood.
• Making things for the program Parents can do projects at home that will benefit the children in the program. They can help collect materials for the art area (such as fabric scraps, ribbons, yarn, paper towel cardboard), objects for sorting and classifying (such as buttons, shells, keys, or bottle caps), or props for dramatic play. Perhaps you are willing to make things for the classroom such as doll clothes, curtains, or record stories for the library area.