Family Partnerships – CDA Class 1.26

Family engagement is a critical component of a high-quality early childhood program. This training will provide educators and administrators with strategies to foster reciprocal communication between parents and staff, ensuring that family voices are valued and integrated into the learning environment. Participants will explore Check and Connect practices that nurture relationships and support positive collaboration.

Through a systems approach, we will examine how to honor and include the child’s world outside of the child care center, recognizing diverse family structures and experiences. Additionally, the training will address common power struggles that may arise between parents and educators, parents and administrators, and even between parents themselves. Participants will learn effective strategies to navigate these challenges and foster a culture of mutual respect and partnership.

By leveraging parent engagement, educators can create a more positive classroom culture that supports children’s social-emotional development. This training will explore inclusive engagement opportunities, both virtual and in-person, that accommodate the diverse schedules and needs of families. Topics include digital communication strategies, low-contact engagement options, and prioritizing meaningful phone calls to strengthen family-school connections.

Finally, participants will learn how to align family engagement efforts with the Kentucky Strengthening Families Protective Factors to ensure that engagement activities are meaningful and outcome-driven. By identifying clear goals and outcomes for engagement opportunities, educators can create impactful experiences that support family well-being and child development.

Objectives:

1. Enhance Reciprocal Communication – Implement Check and Connect strategies that promote ongoing, meaningful communication between families and staff.
2. Honor Family Systems – Understand what defines a family and integrate children’s home experiences into the classroom through a systems approach.
3. Navigate Power Struggles – Develop strategies for managing and resolving conflicts between parents and educators, parents and administrators, and between parents.
4. Strengthen Classroom Culture – Utilize parent engagement as a tool to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
5. Expand Engagement Strategies – Explore virtual and in-person family engagement opportunities that accommodate diverse family schedules and cultural backgrounds.
6. Align with Protective Factors – Develop engagement initiatives that support the Kentucky Strengthening Families Protective Factors, focusing on measurable outcomes for child and family well-being.

Training Level: 2
Core Content: 3
CDA Content: 4
Training Hours: 3