ABC's and 123's:

When planning a family engagement event, there are many factors to take into consideration. Here are some important variables:

• The cultural norms and primary languages within individual families
• The time outside of work available for families
• Shared custody/co-parenting agreements
• Barriers such as cost and transportation
• Families’ comfort with interacting with schools

Let’s explore some areas where, despite good intentions, we might overlook the nuances of family engagement.

CULTURAL NORMS / PRIMARY LANGUAGE

DO: Give families opportunities to share their culture with your classroom, such as by sending a short video of their family singing a favorite childhood song. If possible, use resources to translate materials, or make invites very clear and easy to understand.

DON’T: Ask families to send in items or food that represent their culture. While this can be a thoughtful way to allow a family to share, it may ask too much of them in terms of cost, time commitment, or the risk of items being damaged.

LIMITED TIME AVAILABLE

DO: Schedule school events at different times of the day to accommodate various schedules. Offer teacher talks on specific areas of child development and host parent-teacher conferences virtually or by phone.

DON’T: Make all family engagement opportunities require parents/guardians to take time away from work or daily routines. Some families may have inflexible schedules or may be caring for younger children, making it difficult to participate.

SHARED PARENTING

DO: Stay up-to-date with custody agreements and any legal changes that affect who should be contacted. In cases of co-parenting, communicate equally with all guardians as appropriate.

DON’T: Use event names that call out specific genders if possible. For instance, “Donuts for Dads” might sound catchy but can be exclusionary. Use inclusive language to ensure anyone who loves and cares for the child feels welcome.

COST / TRANSPORTATION

DO: Provide all the materials needed for a project or activity, whether it’s for an in-person event like an open house or a take-home activity like a class cookbook. Ensure the activity is accessible, regardless of socioeconomic status.

DON’T: Forget that families experiencing homelessness or transitional living arrangements may not be able to complete projects at home, and some may not have reliable transportation. Allow children who can’t complete activities at home an opportunity to do so at school.

COMFORT WITH INTERACTIONS WITH TEACHERS / SCHOOLS

DO: Give an outline of what a parent-teacher conference will cover and guide families on what to expect. Reassure them that it will be a positive conversation. In some cultures, parents are only asked to come to school if there is a serious issue, so help them feel comfortable beforehand.

DON’T: Wait until a parent-teacher conference to bring up any major concerns. If there are serious matters to discuss, these should have been mentioned in previous communications. Use the conference as an opportunity to review or plan rather than to introduce new issues.

Partnering with guardians and families is incredibly rewarding. By creating authentic moments of family engagement, you can help families feel truly connected to the learning and growth their child experiences every day!

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Author: Emily Manahan, Professional Development Program Coordinator at Action for Children

Action for Children is the local child care resource and referral agency for central Ohio, and is committed to assuring quality early learning experiences for all children. Our services focus on transforming the lives of children by supporting the everyday heroes who most influence our children’s early growth; care givers, educators, parents, and guardians. Learn More. 

Action for Children’s professional development services are funded by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and Action for Children’s generous donors.