Are You Open To Involving Parents In Your Family Childcare Home?

by Dorothy E. James, Ph.D., CFCS

How do you involve parents in your family childcare home? Parents who bring their child to someone else to care for them for the first time have many concerns and questions. They are concerned most about their child's safety and ability to succeed in the new environment. Parents "check out" the center to try to get a feel for how they can contribute to the best outcome for their child. Parents often appreciate knowing ways in which they can participate in their child's care.

Results when family childcare homes and parents work together include:

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      Parents are better able to understand and support what the home is doing.
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      Staff are better able to understand the needs and concerns of parents.
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      Children's self-esteem improves.
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      Programs are adjusted to meet the needs of children more fully.
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      Parent–child relationships improve.
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      Neighbors, who otherwise might not meet, begin relationships, and the community is strengthened.
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      Children believe that their "work" is important to their parents and other adults.
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      One long-term effect on children is that they receive higher grades and scores in school later on.

How can parents be involved?

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      Reading. Nothing promotes brain development and language skill like spending time with children reading age-appropriate books.
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      Take children on field trips. If given enough notice, many parents can take off work to help chaperone a field trip. This provides a relaxed atmosphere for staff and parents to visit and for the parents to see their child in the group.
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      Demonstrate a skill or talent. Some parents may have a hobby, such as bird watching or gardening, that they could talk to the children about. Other parents may have exciting occupations, such as fireman or policeman, in which the children would be interested. The learning activities will be new each year, dependent upon parents' skills and talents.

How can you help the parents?

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      Provide age-level parent fact sheets. The state departments of health and your county Extension office offer free materials on numerous parenting topics. It is extremely important for parents and caregivers to know what behaviors to expect at certain ages in a child's growth and development. Parents who have realistic expectations of their baby's growth and development are less apt to practice unsafe behaviors with their baby.
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      Teach parenting skills. Serve refreshments, and let the parents come in for a brief parenting and sharing class.
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      Video Recommendations:
      I Am Your Child: The First Years Last Forever. Outlines the importance of early parental attachment for enhanced infant brain development. $5.00 at www.iamyourchild.org.
      Never Shake a Baby: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know. Includes vignettes from parents who have been exasperated with their baby's crying. (613) 233-1900 or www.shakenbaby.ottawakiwanis.org.

References:

Davis, D. (2001). "Supporting Parent, Family, and Community Involvement in Your School." National Parent Information Network.
Parent Involvement Manual: Texas PTA under contract with Texas Education Agency (Parent Involvement and Community Empowerment Initiative).

Dr. Dorothy James is an Assistant Professor and Family Life Specialist with Texas Cooperative Extension. She directs a statewide effort to strengthen parenting skills and reduce child abuse.