
Early childhood programs work best when families are welcomed in and get involved, and when families and early childhood educators communicate and collaborate well. This resource list gives families and educators resources to work together in the best interests of young children.
IEL Resources
- Tip Sheets:
- Q&A: Supporting Young Children in Military Families
- Blogs:
- Podcast: Listening to Family Voices in Early Childhood Programs
Web Resources
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Best Practices in Family and Community Engagement Video Series
Source: Head Start
The series of videos is designed to support efforts toward systemic and integrated engagement. Rooted in the Office of Head Start (OHS) Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, the videos highlight examples of innovative approaches to engagement that foster strong relationships with families and lead to positive outcomes for children and families.
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Engaging Families in Early Childhood Education
Source: RTI Action Network
This article geared toward early educators and leaders explains the importance of parents, educators, specialists, and administrators working together and sharing information to problem solve and engage families.
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Family Engagement
Source: Head Start ECLKC
This Head Start resource on family engagement offers strategies on how to support and engage families, how to use social media to engage families, how to boost school readiness through family engagement, and more.
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Helping All Families Participate In School Life
Source: Reading Rockets
This article offers suggestions to guide educators in understanding and supporting the involvement of culturally and linguistically diverse families in their children’s schools.
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Improving Family Engagement in Early Childhood Education Through Technology
Source: RAND Corporation
This policy brief describes both the barriers that hinder family engagement and the ways in which technology may afford new opportunities to improve early childhood education outcomes — empowering families to become better educators at home, and strengthening connection and communication between school and home.
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New Teachers: How to Talk to Parents
Source: Edutopia
This article provides strategies for new teachers in their meetings and conversations with families including being proactive, asking parents for advice, and more.
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Promoting Family Engagement
Source: Virtual Lab School
This online learning module for infant and toddler teachers explains family engagement, offers ways to welcome and involve families, and gives steps to strengthen relationships with families. Readings, videos, and a short quiz are included.
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Promoting Family Involvement
Source: Reading Rockets
This article addresses some of the challenges to school-home partnerships and offers tips for educators and administrators to implement to help make families feel more comfortable and get more involved at school.
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Understanding the Power of Parent Involvement
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This article geared towards preschool teachers explains the importance of parent involvement and the role of parents as the child’s first teacher.