Parent Engagement Involving Parents in Home Visits

Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: Describe the purpose of a home visit Describe parent engagement and why it is important Describe strategies to enhance parent engagement

Purpose of a Home Visit Head Start Performance Standard 45 CFR (c)(2): The purpose of the home visit is to help parents improve their parenting skills and to assist them in the use of the home as the child’s primary learning environment. The home visitor must work with parents to help them provide learning opportunities that enhance their child’s growth and development.

Why is Parent Engagement in Home Visits Critical? Parent engagement in home visits predicts better program outcomes for parents and children.

Positive Outcomes EHS Parents who were highly engaged in home visits: Provided more stimulating home environments for their child Participated in more bedtime reading Had more knowledge of child development Had children with better vocabulary development Were more supportive during play Reported lower levels of parenting distress

Negative Outcomes EHS Parents who were not engaged in home visits: Had lower attendance rates Had a higher rate of dropping out of the program Had lower rates of reading to children Had children with lower vocabulary development Provided fewer learning opportunities in the home and played less with their children

What is Parent Engagement? Parent engagement is when parents fully participate in all aspects of the home visit including: Focusing on the child’s development Interacting positively with the child to support child development Using family activities for learning Collaboratively planning activities for future visits and group socials Participating in working towards goals

Signs of Parent Engagement During the visit the parent: Remains physically nearby child and home visitor Actively takes part in all home visit activities Engages in play and learning with the child Initiates activities and discussions

Signs of Parent Engagement In between visits the parent: Engages in home learning activities Attends and participates in group socials Follows up on strategies to meet goals set for self and for child

First Step to Parent Engagement Establishing a trusting relationship with the family!

Importance of Trust “At the core of home visiting is the relationship between parents and the home visitor.” Carol S. Klass “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” John C. Maxwell

Establishing Trust with Families Clarify expectations from the beginning, even before they enroll: Let parents know what to expect so there are no “surprises”. Do what you say you will do: Be there when you said you would, bring handouts you said you would bring, etc. Be a good listener: Truly hear what families share with you and respond appropriately. Honor confidentiality: Breaking confidentiality is the quickest way to destroy trust.

Setting the Stage with Families

Recruiting Families Ensure Families are Aware of the Program’s Expectations: Review recruitment materials – do they state the role of the parent and the purpose of the home visit? Meet with community partners that refer families to educate them on our services. Have an “elevator” speech ready to share with interested parents.

Application Process When a Family Applies: Discuss the purpose of home visits: Supporting parent as child’s first teacher. Review the parent’s role during home visits: Doing activities with the child, etc. Review purpose of the home activities for parents to do with their child between visits: To increase child’s learning opportunities.

Initial Home Visit Review “Family/Home Visitor pledge” form, explain what parent participation means. Review the structure of a home visit. Discuss parent’s role during visits: Doing the activities with the child, planning future activities, etc. Discuss role of home visitor: To support the parent in their role as the child’s first teacher.

Initial Home Visit Continued Discuss purpose of home activities and expectation that parent will do these with their child. Review attendance, wellness and confidentiality policies. Emphasize importance of consistent visits. Review policy that visits must be completed with parent or guardian only. Review Home Visitor role as Mandated Reporter of child abuse and neglect.

Parent Engagement Activities

Name Tags Activity Create two name tags “Partner” and “Teacher.” Hold both out to parent, ask parent to take one. If takes “Partner” let parent know that is your name tag and hand parent the “Teacher” name tag to put on. Put the “Partner” name tag on and discuss role in supporting the parent as child’s first and most important teacher.

What I Want for My Child Activity Share a copy of “What I want for My Child Activity” handout with parent. Talk with parent about which 4 traits they want their child to posses in 10 years. Have them number the traits in order of importance. Ask parent what they think they can do now to develop those traits in their child. Ask parent what they can give or teach their child now to develop these traits.

Encouraging Parent-Child Engagement During Visits Beginning of Visit: Ask how their week went, listen and show genuine interest. Ask how the follow up home activity went. Did they do it? Did they enjoy it? Did their child enjoy it? Review agenda of the visit, what you will cover. Emphasize Family-Child Activity that you planned together the previous week.

Encouraging Parent-Child Engagement During Visits During Family Child Activity: Introduce activity, including what child will be learning by doing the activity. May ask parent if they would like for you to model the activity first and then join in or if they would like to jump right in. If parent hangs back, encourage child to involve parent – “Joey, can you give mommy a block too?” Use the child’s voice to invite the parent in – Home Visitor says “Mommy I want the car, can you give me the car?”

Encouraging Parent-Child Engagement During Visits During Family Child Activity Continued: Point out how the child enjoys the parent interacting with him – “Did you see that big smile he gave you when you…” Point out strategies you use while interacting with the child – “I’m describing what he is doing which gives words to his surroundings and builds his vocabulary.” Point out strategies the parent use while interacting with their child – “You were using self talk, describing what you are doing which will help build his vocabulary.”

Encouraging Parent-Child Engagement During Visits At the End of Visit: Review what was covered during the visit, ask parent what they and their enjoyed the most. Based on the parent’s goal for their child, offer two options for a home activity, let parent choose one to do. Co-Planning - Based on the parent’s goal for their child, give parent 2-3 options for the Family-Child Activity for next visit and have parent choose.

Remember… The more fun home visits are for parents and their children, the more involved the parents will be. You are there to support the parent in their interactions with their child. Be sure to “step aside” during the Family Child Activity to allow the parent and child to shine together.

Were the Learning Objectives Met? Can you now: Describe the purpose of a home visit? Describe parent engagement and why it is important? Describe strategies to enhance parent engagement?

Thank you!