What are the best practices for working with families who have infants from the reading in this module? Identify your source (reading or video) as you develop the list.
Your reading may have described families of older children; how can you apply the information to families who have infants?
The best practices for working with families who have infants from the reading in this module is learning about the relationship between the child and family member, using gender neutral language when asking for volunteers, being sensitive to the relationship between all family members while still recognizing each person’s strengths and contributions to their child’s development and learning, sharing your professional knowledge in a way that rather takes away from the family’s member’s sense of competence, striving for gender balance on family committees/councils, and creating a welcoming environment. Some other best practices for working with families that are listed in this module is offering a variety of options for family members to visit their child’s classroom, hosting workshops on topics the current families request rather than topics the staff or previous families think are important or inviting family members to apply their skills and talents to enhance their child’s early childhood setting, linking new families with current families to foster greater engagement in the program and scheduling events before or after the program so every family has a way to join in.
Nakia — Thanks for sharing the best practices you identified for working with families who have infants from Module 12! I wonder, how can infant teachers share their professional knowledge in a way that supports a family’s sense of competence?
Infant teachers can share their professional knowledge in a way that supports a family’s sense of competence by viewing every family member as capable of enhancing the child’s experience in the program and looking for individual strengths by discussing ways to build on them.
The best practice for working with families who have infant from this reading is the reading itself. From this reading we learn about how important its to have a relationship between families how to engage families in activities and involve them. Also how to approach approach then be sensitive to them learn about them use strategies that can balance families offering variety so there is something for everyone, engaged them in decision making, collaborate on community wide effort. Also best practice is to share your knowledge with them, welcoming them to visit their child’s classroom, letting them having their says and make them feel welcome. These information will be definitely applicable for the future so I can have a better approach to families.
Ruth — — Thanks for sharing the best practices you identified for working with families who have infants from Module 12! I wonder, why is it important to engage & involve families in activities? WHat type of activities should families be engage in?
The best practices for working with families is to always include them. Even if its something as minor as asking them to fill out a survey in ways to improve the childcare center or something as major as asking for contribution with a community wide event. Parents and caregivers work together with their children and inclusion builds a good relationship. All in all, this helps strengthen the relationship with the children as well.
Essence — Thanks for sharing the best practices you identified for working with families who have infants from Module 12! I wonder, why is it important to include families who have infants?
The best practices for working with families who have infants from the reading in this module is understanding what is family engagement, interactions and activities with individual families and groups of families. Also recognizing the first steps to engage a family, first knowing the family needs, hopes, interests and expectations for their child time with a caregiver. Respect families as true partners when you ask for their input and insight. As the relationship between infant teachers and families evolve everyone begin to gain a sense of comfort and starts to contribute as a member of the community.
Best practices are to treat each family member as an equal party and include them in all possible ways so they do not feel excluded or less important in the child’s development and learning. Take into consideration all aspects of the child’s relationship with each member tp gain a better understanding of how together you can best support the child’s development and academic success.
Reviewed 12/15