Contents
Module Objectives
In this module you will:
- Examine family enagement
- Identify how to engage families of infants
- Analyze practices that engage families
Activity #1: Module Handout
Complete this handout as you:
- Read VLS (2013) Promoting Family Engagement
- Read Steen Foster (2022)
- Watch TAPS Partnerships with Families: Part 1 (2012)
Link to VLS (2013) Promoting Family Engagement (2013); https://www.virtuallabschool.org/infant-toddler/family-engagement/lesson-2
Link to Steen Foster (2022)
SteenFoster2022
Video TAPS Partnerships with Families: Part 1 (2012)
Optional Reading: Link to Halgunseth (2009)
Family Engagement Halgunseth (2009)
Optional Reading: Link to Koralek, Nemeth & Ramsey (2019)
Koralek, Nemeth & Ramsey (2019)
Optional Reading: Link to Allred & Hancock (2015)
Allred & Hancock (2015)Activity #2: Evidence Practices for Working with Families who have Infants
What are the evidence 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? Post you list in the comments below.
Invite families to visit before their infant or toddler’s start date
Send families a personal welcome note before the infant or toddler’s start date
Ask families how they would like to participate in the program
Source: VLS Promoting family engagement
Tisha — Thanks for your comment in this module. Inviting families to visit the class/ program before the baby begins, sending families personal notes before the baby starts, asking families how they would like to participate in the program are important practices to engage families. You list the source where you found the practices. I wonder, what other practices were identified in the readings & videos that infant teachers can use to engage families?
Invite families to visit before their infant or toddler’s start date so they know the child care program its layout , their childs specific class etc.
Send families a personal welcome note before the infant or toddler’s start date
Ask families how they would like to participate in the program see what they would like to be involved in
Source: VLS Promoting family engagement
Kaylah — Thanks for your comment in this module. Inviting families to visit the class/ program before the baby begins, sending families personal notes before the baby starts, asking families how they would like to participate in the program are important practices to engage families. You list the source where you found the practices. I wonder, can you share other practices in addition to what your colleagues identified? I wonder, what other practices were identified in the readings & videos that infant teachers can use to engage families?
Video TAPS Partnerships with Families: Part 1 (2012)
– show around the daycare show the play area , how the kids eat
– give the parents a little snippet of what went on after every day just so they feel included involved and they know how their baby was doing all day
Kaylah,
— Thanks for your comment in this module. Giving families a tour and sharing info about the baby’s day are important practices to engage families. You identified the source where you found the practices. I wonder, what other practices were identified in the readings & videos that infant teachers can use to engage families?
source VLS promoting family engagement Evidence-based practices for working with families who have infants include creating a warm and supportive environment, promoting responsive care giving, providing parent education and support, and fostering strong parent-child relationships.
Kylie — Thanks for your comment in this module. Creating a warm & supportive environment, promoting responsive caregiving, creating a warm supportive environment, providing family support, and fostering strong relationships with families are important practices to engage families. You list the source where you found the practices. Many of these practices echo what you listed in previous modules. I wonder, what other practices were identified in the readings & videos that infant teachers can use to engage families?
-Invite them to visit before their child starts to familiarize them with the program.
-Send a personal welcome note before the start date.
-Ask how they’d like to participate in the program.
-Show them around the daycare and share daily updates about their child’s activities.
These practices promote family engagement by creating a welcoming environment, providing support and education, and strengthening relationships between parents and caregivers.
TAPS Partnerships with Families Part 1 (2012)
Some evidence practices when working with families who have infants is
-The characteristics of family engagement can be to build strong relationship, trusting relationships between caregivers, families, and their community.
– Looking for different ways parents can participate in the classroom and in the program.
– show around the center so families are more comfortable.
Sources- VLS 2013 Promoting Family Engagement
– ask families about their preferred method of communication
-recognizing, valuing and honoring families’ beliefs
-allow time to listen to families
– being attentive like taking photos and videos, sharing documentation to reassure families
-ask reflective questions, reflect on the interactions with children and families
– seek feedback from families on ways to improve practices
source: steen foster (2022)
Some evidence-based practices include communicating with families, having families participate in programs, inviting families before infants start at the program, displaying photographs of infants, and their families around the room. Asking families to share their hopes, dreams and goals for their child, as well as listening to families and asking reflective questions to send feedback.
source: Steen Foster (2022),VLS (2013) Promoting Family Engagement (2013),TAPS Partnerships with Families: Part 1 (2012)
Some foundations for working with family are ;
1. Checking in with each other , when there are important decisions to be made.
2. Making an effort to understand and trust others points of view.
3. Listening and talking to each other.
TAPS Partnerships with Families Part 1 (2012)