Research has shown that building positive, strong, ongoing partnerships between schools and families is an important factor in young children's development, as well as their later academic success. The list below provides a wealth of resources for communicating developmentally appropriate practice with parents, partnering with families for school readiness, connecting with families from varied cultural and language backgrounds and abilities, and effectively conveying the message that all families are valued members of the learning community.
School-to-Home Connections: Simple Strategies for Early Childhood Educators
When parents and teachers partner, children thrive! In School-to-Home Connections, early educators will discover simple ways to explain developmentally appropriate practice to parents, ideas on partnering with them on their child’s journey to school readiness, and tips for nurturing families’ active involvement in the school community.
Kick-Start Kindergarten Readiness
Studies show that parent and family involvement with school is an important factor in children’s later academic success. With easy-to-share parent letters and simple, fun activities for families to do together at home, Kick-Start Kindergarten Readiness is the perfect tool for early childhood teachers to involve families in understanding and supporting the rich learning taking place in your preschool classroom.
Partnering with Parents
Easy Programs to Involve Parents in the Early Learning Process
At last! A book has finally arrived that takes the worry out of parent-teacher communication. This innovative and original guide makes it easy for preschool teachers to connect with parents and involve them in the learning process using family meetings.
Connecting Right from the Start
Fostering Effective Communication with Dual Language Learners
Grounded in research and strengthened by the author’s personal experience as a student learning English, Connecting Right from the Start helps teachers understand the culturally and linguistically diverse children in their classroom, as well as ways to involve their families in their learning and school activities.
The Welcoming Classroom
Building Strong Home-to-School Connections for Early Learning
This book is bursting with practical ideas for creating a welcoming atmosphere for families that will encourage them to participate in their children's learning community. Johnna Darragh Ernst reveals ways to connect with families from varied cultural and language backgrounds and abilities, new strategies for creating a home-school link to support learning, and creative ways to communicate the message that all families are valued members of the learning community.
Is Your Child Ready for School?
Finding the Best Grade Placement
Educators and parents are often puzzled by students who are obviously very bright yet do not work up to their full potential. The difference between loving school or hating school can be as simple as making sure each child is in the right grade. Determining when a child should start school is one of the most important decisions parents will ever make about their child, and this book will help guide you through that process.
Fun Baby Learning Games
Activities to Support Development in Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year Olds
This book brings a new approach to having fun and learning with the youngest children by incorporating theory and research-backed activities in a fun and engaging way, helping your infant or toddler nurture his/her skills and reach emerging milestones, and fostering development in one or more of the five areas of development – cognitive, motor, social/emotional, language, and self-esteem.
Building Relationships with Parents and Families in School-Age Programs
Resources for Staff Training and Program Planning
This book is centered around creating positive relationships with parents and families to build the foundation for strong, ongoing partnerships between parents and families and after-school programs.
The Art of Leadership: Engaging Families in Early Childhood Organizations
This book addresses the full spectrum of responsibilities high-quality early childhood programs should manage in working with families: welcoming, supporting, engaging, and communicating with parents. In addition, it provides helpful advice on working with all types of families in today's society.
