Family Engagement Plan

Savannah Scharnikow
 Sawyer Family
The Sawyer family is a Caucasian family that has recently
moved to a suburban area in Sparta, New Jersey. The family
consist of Dad Ted, Mom Jana, Son and first grader Jacob,
and toddler Emma. The family had just moved from Chicago
to be closer to Jana’s parents after the passing of Ted’s
parents. Since his parents passing, Ted decided to become a
part-time plumber in order to raise their children. Jana being
very high up in her company means she is mostly gone during
the week.
Strengths and Needs
Strengths:

● Ability to stay connected when Jana is working. When Jana travels for work she calls
the family every night to talk to her husband and the kids.
● Ted’s biggest strength would be his ability to make sure the kids stick to their routine,
so they don’t realize Jana is gone.
Needs:
● Jacob needs to work on his behavior when mom leaves for work.
● Emma needs family evolvement because it enhances the child’s
development.
Strategies
Strategy Number 1: Gardening

● While they plant flowers, water plants, pull weeds, and pick fruits and
vegetables, children learn how things grow and how to care for things.
While gardening you can count and name the number of weeds pulled
or the amount of plants were planted. Remember to notice their colors,
shapes, and textures. Mom and Dad can read children’s books related to
gardening.
● Ex. The Flower Garden by Eve Bunting. This book shows taking
flowers from the store home and planting a garden
● Ex.The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss. It is about a boy caring for a seed
and believing that one day it will grow into a carrot even if others don’t
believe it will.
Strategies
Strategy Number 2: Food Preparation

● Parents can point out simple letters, numerals, shapes, or colors on food
packages. Parents can also talk about the sounds when the children are
mixing or stirring. Jacob being older can prepare simple recipes, like
fruit smoothies, trail mix, cookies, or vegetable soup. Encourage
children to count the items as they go into the mixtures. After doing this
activity as a family you can read a book about cooking.
● Ex.The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins. This book is about how to
divide cookies the family made as more and more guests arrive.
Strategies
Strategy Number 3: Getting Dressed

● Any daily routine provides an opportunity for children to learn

through play. Emma can describe her clothing as she puts it on. The
adult can talk about what they are doing and what is coming next.
With Jacob you can provide choices about his clothing. Narrow
choices make getting ready easy for the parent while children feel
successful. After getting ready parents can read a book.
● Ex.The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel. This book is
about rhyming all the items a child puts on to bundle up in the snow.
While reading the book have the children repeat phrases from the
book together. You can also do this while getting ready.
Strategy
Strategy Number 4: Family Dinners

● Having family dinner as much as possible is not only beneficial to

the parents but also the children. Parents can count and name items
as you eat. With Jacob, parents can serve food in a creative way. Put
food in a pattern or shape and talk about it. During this time parents
can talk to children about school and how their children are feeling
lately. After eating and helping children with their nightly routine,
and read a book
● Ex. Growing Vegetables Soup by Lois Ehlert. This book has pictures
of vegetables and includes a recipe that your family can make for
dinner
 Activity
● Family Engagement activity I would recommend would be cooking in the kitchen.
Since mom is out of town most weeks, it is all up to dad to make dinner for the kids.
In my package I am sending home is an easy recipe and the ingredients followed by
construction paper and colored pencils. This is for after your family is finished
cooking. I would start with is Honey-Hoisin Chicken with Rice. While the chicken is
cooking parents can ask what the children are smelling, what the food might taste like,
will it be sweet or savory? After you finished eating children can follow up with this
activity by drawing what they made or what they want to make next. This activity
helps children with fine motor and eye-hand coordination skills by chopping, mixing,
squeezing, and spreading. Cognitive development cooking also encourages children's
thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
References
Pros & Cons. (2015, October 2). Retrieved from https://www.stayathomedads.com.au/stay-at-home-dads-pros-cons/.

Howington, J. (2015, November 27). 10 Stats About Working Parents in the U.S. Retrieved from
https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/stats-about-working-parents-us/.

Miller, C., & Child Mind Institute. (n.d.). How to Handle Tantrums and Meltdowns. Retrieved from
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-handle-tantrums-and-meltdowns/.

Admin-Mdp. (2015, October 16). Honey-Hoisin Chicken with Rice. Retrieved from
https://www.parents.com/recipe/chicken/honey-hoisin-chicken-with-rice/.