Developing High-Quality Family Involvement Programs in Early Childhood Settings

Developing High-Quality Family Involvement Programs in Early Childhood Settings

Purpose for Reading Questions
1. What is Head Start?
2. What is one of the most accurate predictors of achievement in school?
3. What is an Early Childhood program?
4. What are some road blocks to establishing parent involvement in Early Childhood programs?
5. What are some ways to establish parent involvement?
6. How can cultural differences be promoted?
7. What is the benefit of having good orientation?
8. What should a good orientation include?
9. What can parents do who cannot come into the classroom?
10. What is an exploration kit?

1. Head start is a national, federally funded, community- based program for children from families with low incomes and their parents. Grantees are required to develop goals for children in collaboration with families and to involve parents in making decisions about education and program management.

2. One of the most accurate predictors of achievement in school is the extent to which parents believe they can be key resources in their children's education and become involved at school and in the community.

3. An Early Childhood Program is a community of families, teachers, and neighborhood residents accepting mutual responsibility for sustaining and enhancing relationships that promote children's success.

4. Parents often feel they do not have the time to volunteer or do not know what they can do to help.

5. Parents can develop a short survey or meet with other staff to determine where parents can make contributions and in what ways. Work with the program administrator to seek the assistance of a volunteer coordiation.

6. Parents can help create signs that hang on each entrance of the school and each classroom that say "welcome" in all languages spoken. Holiday celebrations should be respectful and inclusive of the cultures of all families.

7. A well-planned orientation eases anxiety and confusion, alleviates fears, and increases the chances of parents maintaining a long-term relationship with the program.

8. Orientation should include volunteer job descriptions and expectations, how volunteers are supervised, and how volunteers should check in and record their hours.

9. A parent with access to a computor might design/update the center's webpage, create a newsletter, or design forms and stationary, etc.

10. An exploration kit involves videos, books, learning toys or games, and index cards with parent-child activity ideas that focus on a particular topic.