ECE Workshop: Environment & Classroom Design / Daily Practice
Fostering Program and Family Connections
Creating opportunities and experiences that bring program staff and families together is very important. Discover how to create a welcoming, nurturing environment. Learn how to host family fun events, brainstorm interactive documentation opportunities and celebrate daily activities with open consistent communication
Workshop Hosted By
Julie Hansen
Early Childhood Educator, Consultant, and Author
The Reasons Why
Establishing Relationships
- Open Houses
- Orientations
- Centre Tours
- Community Events
- Social Media
- Word of Mouth
- Community Connections
Welcoming Families to Our Programs
- It is important that families always feel welcome in our programs
- From the moment first contact is made, to the initial meetings, daily conversations and even after a child has left the program
- Ask parents what their expectations of the program are
- Seeing Childhood as a Time of Family Connection
- Each child born has their own values, dynamics, interests, customs, and traditions that are passed down from their family
- These traditions and patterns will strongly influence the child, shaping and creating a sense of identity and belonging
- No matter the family circumstance, all parents have hopes and dreams for their children
- This is something that educators need to take to heart and keep in mind when communicating with families
How Are Children and Families Represented in the Space
- Are children and their families represented in your program space in three different ways?
- Think about how children’s artwork is displayed and curated
- Family photos, documentation and signage on each child’s cubby
- How can we create a feeling of home away from home for children and families within our programs?
Daily Communication
- Providing families with daily information is an important part of our job as Early Childhood Educators
- Asking families important questions such as how was your child’s night and morning or taking the time to enquire about how a family’s weekend went are both great ways to open lines of communication and help us to understand a child or family in a more complete way
