Five ways to encourage family involvement in an early Learning Center

1. Send brochures and packets that talk about what is going on in the classroom to keep

families informed about student learning.

2. Invite families to take part in program activities such as open houses or like student

plays.

3. A class website for parents to go to which shows them student learning as well as

resources to utilize at home. This can also encourage involvement by showing

upcoming events and activities that parents can attend.

4. family week. This can encourage family involvement because it puts emphasis on the

elements of a child's family for an entire week while also reinforcing the importance

of each family represented in the classroom.

5. Volunteer opportunities, this encourages family involvement because it allows them

to be involved in learning activities and events going on for their children at early

learning centers.

Describe three ways a teacher can support a child's relationship with his/her family.

1. Teachers can regularly share information about a child's life in the Learning Center. This

information could include routines, changes in care, favorite activities, and upcoming

developmental expectations.

2. Teachers can support a child's relationship with their family by providing families with

resources from the community. These resources could be appropriate family friendly

events or Family Services.

3. Teachers can send home packets to families that demonstrate appropriate ways to play

and learn with their children. These packets could contain storybooks, manipulatives and
 art materials. These packets would go along with the learning objectives that students

would be going over throughout the week.

Describe at least six combinations that represent the American family.

1. The Traditional or Nuclear family: A family that consists of a mother, father and their

children.

2. Single parent families: Someone who cares for one or more children without the

assistance of the other biological parent.

3. Blended families: Two families that come together to form a new family. This may

include stepparents and step siblings.

4. LGBTQ family: Families in which some people are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender

Cortana nonbinary or queer. This could include parents, guardians, foster parents,

children, chosen families, siblings or grandparents who are LGBTQ.

5. Multilingual families: People within a family who speak more than one language.

6. Multiracial family: When people of multiracial backgrounds are a part of the same

family.

Describe three activities that reinforce the family.

1. Family tree activity: For this activity have students bring pictures of people they want in

their family tree. Students will post the pictures on a poster board and draw their own tree

with branches that connect the pictures. On the branches have the students or teacher

write the names of the people in the photos. After completing the final project, place it

somewhere for all families and children to admire.

2. Cooking activities: this can reinforce family because the family can work together to

enjoy something. Teachers can send home a budget friendly and kid friendly recipe for a
 meal that the whole family can enjoy. An example of a cooking activity for families

could be decorating cookies or making pizzas.

3. Reading activities: Reading activities reinforce family as well as student learning. By

reading together parents and a child can get to bond and go through the elements of a

story together.