August 12, 2020 3:18PM
I love to go shopping. Not only do I enjoy the satisfaction of finding exactly what I am looking for, but I also value the shopping experience. Part of that experience is the environment that stores create for myself, the shopper.
The families in your programs are like shoppers. Not only are families looking for a high-quality program with staff that care for and teach their children, but they are also looking for a program environment that is clean, safe, and inviting… Read More
July 17, 2020 2:37PM
Traditionally, relationships with families have been built through consistent face-to-face interactions. The more you saw the family and spent time engaging with them in both formal and informal conversations, the more you learned about the child and the stronger the relationship with the family was. This upcoming school year, however, the way program staff builds relationships with families will look very different… Read More
June 3, 2020 2:25PM
As we close out an uncharted program year, there is a lot of uncertainty about what the upcoming year will bring. This month, we will be exploring best practices for hosting virtual events for the families in your program. As families continue to navigate through the different challenges brought on by this pandemic, we want to continue to offer opportunities to connect socially, receive information and resources, and build their capacity to support their children’s growth and development… Read More
May 13, 2020 11:58AM
Working with children and families means that, at any given time, at least one, usually more, are experiencing a crisis situation. Whether families experience the unexpected loss of employment, a sudden sickness in the family, or have to shift into quarantine during an international pandemic, they are constantly needing to adapt to and navigate these life challenges… Read More
April 10, 2020 8:13AM
The past month has put everyone’s tech skills to the test. Within a matter of weeks, many of us have gone from seeing families at drop off and pick up daily to having minimal, if any, interactions with the families that we serve. We have gone from planning in-person conferences, cafés, and other events, to trying to figure out how to best connect with families during this time of being socially distanced… Read More
March 3, 2020 11:32AM
A couple of years ago, I attended a 2-day Strengthening Families Training of Trainers Institute. This training was designed to build an understanding of the 5 Protective Factors, as well as get us, as trainers, to develop a sense of understanding and empathy for the diverse lives of the families that we work with. Through a variety of interactive activities, videos, and group discussions, we developed a deeper understanding of “what it means to be a parent” and how critical our role is in supporting the journey of parenthood for those we worked with… Read More
February 1, 2020
Last month, we discussed family engagement as an issue of equity and social justice. Family engagement is not a practice of one-size-fits-all “Back to School” nights and literacy events. This month, we focus on understanding the importance of accessing the funds of knowledge that each family carries with them… Read More
January 2, 2020
The start of a new decade is the perfect time to reflect upon our regular work with families through a renewed equity lens. Equity is a concept that is integral to the work of early learning professionals and programs. Not only does equity impact the work that early learning professionals do daily with young children in the classroom, but it also plays a key role in the relationships that we build with families… Read More