What do most parents and educators have in common? They all want to actively participate in the child development process and watch the young ones succeed from very early on. Family engagement activities for preschoolers are a necessary tool for high-quality, early childhood education. The Village Method has always emphasized this aspect.
According to the Harvard Family Research Project, the parent-teacher partnership is a substantial building block for enabling great family engagement. The communication between the two will ultimately nurture school readiness. There are various ways in which we can encourage trusting relationships. Family engagement activities are the stepping stones that lead to academic excellence.
In this article, we’ll explore why family engagement activities for preschoolers are necessary and find out some practical tips on how early-childhood educators can start applying them right away. Keep on reading!
Why Are Family Engagement Activities for Preschoolers Necessary?
Family involvement is a vital part of early learning, as it promotes academic excellence and nurtures positive relationships between families and teachers. However, cultural and language barriers continue to showcase the legacy of a society plagued by systemic racism.
Oftentimes, the school has little to no interest in discovering what differentiates our youth from others. Families feel they are rarely consulted or regarded as valuable partners. Instead, they are perceived as lacking the necessary knowledge that could help improve their child’s learning capabilities.
Family engagement activities for preschoolers foster healthy skills and attitudes, aid in achieving some of the most important targeted goals, and create a sense of continuous support throughout the K-12 years.
Minority families deserve a welcoming environment and a culturally affirming approach whenever they share their ideas with the teachers. They ought to be involved every step of the way, from curriculum development to family engagement activities.
Boost Early Childhood Education With Literacy Activities
One of the easiest ways to ensure academic excellence and boost learning experiences is to have the parent participate in evidence-based family engagement activities. Systemic racism against young Black children is well-documented and literacy relies on how well you’re involving families in their children’s academic journey.
Start off with the basics. Increase the families’ confidence levels and efficiently teach them how to motivate their young children to read or do some basic maths exercises at home. Look out for any additional ideas that the parents might have and incorporate them into your problem-solving solutions.
Soon enough, the community of parents will be confident enough to lend the children a helping hand when it comes to reading and discovering the wonders of the alphabet. A warm environment and a culturally supportive approach will always come in handy. Remember, the parents are looking for helpful tips, not for a judgemental approach.
Celebrate Diversity and Engage Family Members
Considering the fact that systemic racism is prevalent throughout American history, it’s needless to say that minorities continue to fight for equality and search for alternatives. Culturally respectful and engaging after-school programs have been the go-to for decades. Regardless of age, students must get in touch with their history and roots.
What if schools could successfully engage families and celebrate the students’ cultural differences? Black History Month activities are not enough. Try to implement frequent, Afrocentric family engagement activities throughout the year and rely on the parents’ expertise. If you do so, their children’s self-expression skills will develop harmoniously during their preschool years.
Family engagement activities for preschoolers are the perfect opportunity to empower children and show them that African culture and traditions matter. Invite knowledgeable people from minority communities and organize interactive events that will help counteract systemic racism and raise awareness levels.
Always Be on the Same Page With the Parent
Family engagement activities for preschoolers, whether they happen at school or during after-school programs, should always rely on clear academic resources and data. Understand the parent on a deeper level and leave aside all stereotypical or biased talk.
Systemic racism can only be counteracted by striving for academic excellence. Any child is capable of greatness. However, they all need a gentle nudge in the right direction. The parent works the same way. They want to feel seen, heard and understood before they can open up to the teachers.
Education is not a two-way street. It should only lead to academic excellence through constant parental involvement. Although after-school activities are considerably taking over, schools still have the chance to promote family engagement and revitalize the preschool classroom.
The school environment is rather hostile, especially towards Black families. If we want the parents to continue instructing their children at home, teachers must find the right resources in order to support a sense of community in the preschool classroom.
Family Engagement Activities For Preschoolers Need to Be Implemented Now
Good preschool teachers inculcate valuable information into a child’s brain early on. Great ones prioritize family engagement activities and identify ways to fight against the systemic racism that many of our young children have to deal with, inside and outside of the classroom.
Establishing partnerships might not be easy but it isn’t impossible. If after-school activities can empower children and their families, why can’t schools do the same thing? We believe that the time for a change has finally come.
The Village Method is more than just an after-school program. We are a grassroots organization and community of dedicated people. We hold the well-being of parents and their young children at the very core of our mission. We build villages of culturally conscious children and never hesitate to get the parents involved in after-school activities that empower them to be better and do better.
Get involved now and help us deliver valuable after-school activities for every child that necessitates them.
