Guidance depends on a three-way positive relationship of the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professional, the child, and one or more members of the child’s family. This session discusses an approach to building partnerships with family members that encourages movement through four levels of engagement: 1) accepting information 2) educational involvement with one’s child 3) program engagement 4) personal/professional development. Progress through level one to level two is significant for all families in all programs. A higher goal for some family members is levels three or four. (Any ECEC professional who started out as a volunteer in a classroom has progressed through level three to level four.) The levels of engagement are an adaptation to early childhood of the work of Joyce Epstein and can serve as a “user-friendly” guide to building partnerships with families. The matter of cultural differences between the ECEC professionals and families is highlighted in the session.
Gateways Topics: Family Dynamics & Relationships
Gateways Content Areas: (E) Interactions, Relationships and Environments
Gateways CDA Content Areas: (4) Parental Relationships