Read Practices that Engage Families.
Engaging Practices ScenariosPick 2 practices then answer the questions below:
- Which practices did you chose? Why?
- How would feel about if each practice was implemented in an infant classroom where you worked? Why?
- How would you feel if the practice was implemented in an infant classroom where your baby was enrolled? Why?
- Does the practice engage families in a reciprocal, strengths-based, individualized, participatory manner? Include evidence from Koralek, Nemeth & Ramsey (2019) to support your answer.
Respond to 1-2 other comments from people who chose at least 1 different practice different then you!
1.- I chose Practice #4 “Home Visits” because the moment I welcomed the teacher in my house we can stablish a relationship based on respect and at the same time we can share important information for the benefit of my baby’s development.
2.- I will feel very excited if this practice was implemented in my infant classroom because would have a clear picture about the children background, the parent’s relationship with her baby, their family activities and routines, the family’s culture, and beliefs, so I can support the baby learning development in a more effective way taking in consideration the parents’ aspirations and requirements. Block states “Conducting home visits allows educators to better understand a child’s home environment, share tools and strategies that support families in learning about child development, emphasizing parents’ role in being their first child’s teachers and identified ways to incorporate a family’s culture into the classroom” (92).
3.- I will feel very happy if the practice was implemented in an infant classroom where my baby was enrolled because is a way to engage with the program, I believe that this strategy is a great opportunity to create strong bonds with the teacher because I would be sharing important information about my baby, I can share my inputs and my baby’s routines so the teacher can get to know my baby in more depth, as well as understanding my expectations.
4.- I think this practice engage families in a reciprocal, strengths-based, individualized, participatory manner because teachers and parents will be exchanging information or strategies, the parents can share their expertise to support the baby and the program, the home be visit will take place based on the parent schedule, and the parents will be involved in the program, for they will ask for support if need it.
1.- I chose this Practice #3 “The program creates spaces for the families” because I think this is a great way to make the parents feel valued and to transmit that we care about them too. Koralek, Nemeth & Ramsey state, “One way to communicate that families are priority in your program is to designate a comfortable gathering place where families can meet and socialize to each other. The family center should be prominent, located near the entrance if possible, nicely decorated with tables and comfy chairs for sitting and interacting with educators and parents” (50).
2.- I will feel honored and at the same time happy if this practice was implemented in my infant classroom because I think that parents deserve all my respect and consideration and this can be a way for them to scape from their routines, they can spend a pleasant time talking with other parents, as well as having a relax time reading and enjoying a delicious cup of coffee.
3.- I will feel so happy and excited if the practice was implemented in an infant classroom where my baby was enrolled because I have seen all the hard work that parents have to do, for I believe that having the chance to spend a nice time talking to other parents in very comfortable room while drinking a cup of coffee would be awesome and at the same time regarding because I can interact with the teacher more often and she can keep me updated about my baby’s development.
4.-This practice engages families in a reciprocal, strengths-based, individualized, participatory manner because parents and teachers exchange value information, parents can comfortably share their expertise and contribute to the program, parents can choose when to visit this space depending on their schedules and parents will feel more connected with other parents by socializing in this space created for them.
Marcela — Thanks for your comment in this activity. You wove content from readings into your comment. Conducting home visits & creating a space in the classroom for families help families develop a sense of belonging. I wonder, were there any practices that you did not feel comfortable with?
1. Which practices did you chose? Why?
-I choose practice #3 because I found this an interesting strategy to make parents feel welcome in the program.
-I choose practice #4 because home visits create a strong bond with family members.
2. How would feel about if each practice was implemented in an infant classroom where you worked? Why?
-For practice #3 I would feel happy to have a place for families because that will make them feel welcome and comfort to share with their child as well with the program staff. Also those spot can be used to share with others parents during the day, they can share their thoughts, suggestions, feedbacks and ideas. It can be beneficial for us as teachers because we get to know each family and their interest.
-For practice #4 I would feel excited to do home visit because we can learn a lot about the child’s culture, routines, family members and we can create a strong relationship with the parents.
3.How would you feel if the practice was implemented in an infant classroom where your baby was enrolled? Why?
-I would feel included because they care about our well-being, our family members, our culture and our baby. I would feel that my baby is in a safe place because we will have the opportunity to know the program and we will be able to participate and share with other parents every day if we want.
4. Does the practice engage families in a reciprocal, strengths-based, individualized, participatory manner? Include evidence from Koralek, Nemeth & Ramsey (2019) to support your answer.
-Yes, the practices engage families in a reciprocal, strengths-based, individualized and participatory manner because they are providing a family spot where they can share with the program staff their hopes, needs, ideas, suggestions, feedbacks and thoughts about their child. They can participate and have breakfast each morning with other parents. It can be during the drop off or pick up so each family can set their schedule if they want to participate and stay for a while. Koralek, Nemeth & Ramsey (2019) argues “One way to communicate that families are a priority in your program is to designated a comfortable gathering place where families can meet and socialize with each other. The family center should be prominent, located near the entrance if possible, nicely decorated with tables and comfy chairs for sitting and interacting with educators and other parents”.
Home visits make most parents feel as they matter too. Koralek, Nemeth & Ramsey (2019) states “The parents understand that their voice matters they can approach educator and program leader, and their views will be heard and considered”.
Daniela — Thanks for your comment in this activity. You wove the Koraleck, Nemeth & Erdosi (2019) reading into your comment. Creating a space for families to get to know each other is important, as families share ideas, insights & information with each other, and can build community. This connects to the family model of relationship-based care that Baker & Manfreddi/ Pettit (2004) spoke about in Mod 2 on relationships.
1) I chose practices 1 and 4 because I felt like they mostly focus on some of the topics we have talked about before. Practice 1 talks about how families can be more involved in their school experience and Practice 4 talks about how teachers get to know more about the family outside of the classroom by having home visits.
2)I would be happy if practice 1 was implemented in my classroom because this gives the parents the opportunity to see what goes on in the classroom and be more involved. For practice 4, I would be happy to see this practice implemented in my classroom because this would give me the opportunity to more about the family outside of the classroom.
3) I would feel happy if both practices were implemented in a classroom where my baby is enrolled because practice 1 can help me see what goes on in my child’s class and help me become more engaged in my child’s activities. Practice 4 can help the teacher learn more about our family that they wouldn’t know outside of the classroom.
4) Both practices engage families in a reciprocal, strengths-based, individualized, and participatory manner. Practice 1 allows families to see things from their own perspectives and their point of view and their opinions in an open space. Practice 4 allows the teacher to get the families outside of the classroom. According to the article “Family and Educators Together”, it states ” Family stories can be an entry to understanding what makes each family unique. They help teachers connect to what is meaningful to families.”
Diamunique — Thanks for your comment in this activity. You connected the reading to your comment. I appreciate you picking practices you are comfortable with. However, I need to update my practices so I can encourage people to move beyond what we have learned about already! Thanks for letting me know! I wonder, did any of the practices seem strange or unusual to you; would you feel uncomfortable if any of the practices were implemented in your workplace or the program where your child was a student?
1. I chose practices #3 and #4. Specifically #3 stood out to me because I love the fact that parents can come in and wind down for a few minutes while they wait to pick up their child but they can also talk to other parents as they wait or take a look at the bulletin board so they can keep up with any events in the school. #4 is an amazing way to get to know the parent and child before coming into the program and figuring out a plan that benefits the child and parent.
2. If each practice was implemented into a school where I worked I would be really happy because each practice is beneficial for you, the child and the parent. These practices help maintain a good relationship with the parents and help you to learn more about the child and their development.
3. If I had a child and they went to a school where these practices were implemented I would feel overjoyed because i would be more involved with activities and engaged with all teachers. Having open communication with the teachers about my child would help them more in the classroom.
4.I think this practice engage in families in a reciprocal, strengths-based, individualized, participatory way since educators and guardians will trade data or procedures and the guardians will be engaged with the program. guardians can pick when to visit this space contingent upon their timetables and guardians will feel more associated with different guardians by associating in this space made for them.
Thanks for your comment in this activity Selanie. Families & infant teachers do have the opportunity to exchange info. I wonder, how are the practices stranegts-based and participatory?
1- I would choose practice 4, I feel like building a relationship with families is very important. Home visits allow the parent and teacher time to get to know one another and discuss any imortant information a parent would want the teacher to know. This will make a parent feel more comfortable when they have to leave there child. I would also choose practice as a parent you want to feel secure knowing your child is ok when you are not with them and being involved in the hiring process will give them a piece of mind because they will know have a better idea of who is taking care of their child.
2-I would feel good knowing these practices are implemented where I work. A lot of care givers are looked at as babysitters. To know that I have a bond with the families and child will make me feel like I am making a difference in the childs life.
3-As a parent a I would feel relieved knowing my child is in this kind of environment where the teachers understand her, know her likes and dislikes, and know about her routines. I would want my child to feel like shes at home when shes away from home. Also being involved in the hiring process will also take a load off because i will know who is around my child.
4I think this practice engage in families in a reciprocal, strengths-based, individualized, participatory manner. Families and teachers are able to give their input when they have their home visit. The familes are also able to give information to the teacher that only the family would know. The are able to come into the home and get to know the child and and learn what makes them them. Also the families are able to be involved in there childs care through the hiring process.
Brittney — Thanks for your comments. Home visits are powerful experiences for families, infant teachers, and babies. I appreciate your insights as a parent being involved with in the hiring process. I wonder, how will you feel as a staff person who is involved in interviewing a new co-worker with families? Involving families in meaningful decisions about the school — not just their child — is family engagement!
1. I choose Practice#1 and Practice#4 because those programs seemed like the ones I could be working at someday and seem to present some challenges.
2. I would feel comfortable with both programs. The 1st practice would be helpful for the family because they could gauge their child’s comfort level. The 4th practice would be a great method for the infant teacher to gauge the infant’s day to day life at home.
3. As the parent of an infant I would feel comfortable with both practices I chose because both practices involve a partnering of family and teacher.
4. Yes, the practices encourage families and educators to work together. According to Koralek, Nemeth & Ramsey (2019)” family learning time, or FLT, is an opportunity to help parents explore, play, and learn, just as their child is doing”. The practice of home visits encourages the infant teacher is inviting them to understand the culture and traditions that family practices and how it influences the child.