1. Parent/Family and Community Involvement Danielle Harner EDU 288

2. What is involvement? Ask how your child is feeling about school Become a part of their educational process Know what is being taught Continue the learning at home Help with homework Volunteer in your child’s classroom Read books to their class Go on field trips Share a talent you have Just drop by to say hello

3. What involvement means to a child. Increased self-esteem They know you care about their education Higher success rate in school Work for continued success

4. What involvement means to families and communities. Well adjusted children Productive members of society Family oriented communities Better possibilities for early intervention when needed Better relationships with children and other families Happier and more helpful teachers

5. RESEARCH Supporting Families: Children Are The Winners By Ann Barbour, Ph.D. The recognition that parents are key elements in children’s learning is reflected in the U.S. Department of Education’s Goals 2000 Education America (1993). One of the eight goals states, “By the year 2000, every school will promote partnerships that will increase parental involvement and participation in promoting the social, emotional, and academic growth of children.” Most education intervention programs, including Head Start, require parent participation and consider it an essential component. http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_vi ew.aspx?ArticleID=644

6. RESEARCH Importance of Family Involvement By S.K. Adams|J. Baronberg — Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall Updated on May 1, 2014 According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (1998) Code of Ethical Conduct, professionals' ethical responsibilities to families most related to guidance strategies include: Develop relationships of mutual trust with families we serve Acknowledge and build upon strengths and competencies as we support families in their task of nurturing children Respect the dignity of each family and its culture, language, customs, and beliefs Respect families' child-rearing values and their right to make decisions for their children Help family members improve their understanding of their children and enhance their skills as parents http://www.education.com/reference/article/importance-family-involvement/

7. RESEARCH Parent Involvement in Day Care Center Activities by Shelley Frost, Demand Media Child care programs often plan open house nights where families visit the center and do special activities. The planned activities often give you a glimpse of what your child does each day while you're at work. Other examples of special events include music programs and class parties for holidays. A similar way the day care might get parents involved is through special home activities. A display about your family or a craft project you do as a family to display at day care is an example of a family involvement activity. http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/parent-involvement-day- care-center-activities-3882.html

8. RESEARCH You can share information with families about their children, your program, and resources that are available to them. The following are examples of communication with families: Day-to-day information on children's activities and development. Regular conferences on children's progress. Events to showcase children's work. Newsletters and websites about activities, goals and fun ideas to try at home. Family education packets (information about SIDS, communicable diseases, age appropriate activities, why children bite and how to discourage it, etc.). Information about parenting classes in the community. Information about community events and resources. Information about joining the Child Care Aware® Parent Network, a free membership organization for parents and grandparents with interactive resources about parenting, child development, quality child care, and more.Child Care Aware® Parent Network http://childcareaware.org/child-care-providers/program-planning/family- involvement

9. RESEARCH How much you choose to be involved with your children's program is up to you. Programs that value family involvement need to understand that your family is busy. Even if you can't commit to regular participation, you should feel welcome whenever you are able to help. Remember, no matter how small your involvement, your children benefit when the whole family is involved in their early childhood program. http://www.hfrp.org/publications- resources/publications-series/early-childhood- digests/family-involvement-in-early-childhood- programs-how-to-choose-the-right-program-for- your-child