Parent Involvement: How to Increase it

   

                                                         

As an early childhood professional I feel parent involvement is essential to children's success in learning. In many Head Start programs today parents are encouraged to participate in classroom activities and decision making in school programming. Head Start ensures parents hold many positions on the governing board to allow  (Head Start Bureau, 2004).

            I believe  teachers and parents need establish a close friendly partnership from day one. Parents and teachers should set guidelines and expectations of one another that will encourage children's proper growth and development. Teachers should review and continue to follow all NAEYC guidelines. Directors should ensure the center has a warm and inviting atmosphere. Parents should be involved in several areas of the center and their insight should be valued as their children's first teachers (Follari, 2007). Communication should be open and effective.  Teachers should communicate the positive and not just the negative (Follari, 2007).

            Suggestions to increase parental involvement would be for center directors to hold open house to meet parents and establish a warm relationship before the school year even begins. The initial contact with parents should be positive. Teachers should appreciate diversity and cultural differences of families and may even greet parents and children in their own native language to establish a special bond. Teachers should encourage parents to be involved in the classroom by volunteering to do things such read stories to the class or volunteer to help out at the center (IE: picture day). Centers can create questionnaire's for parents from time to time to see if parents have any suggestions that could make the center more successful. The center's atmosphere should appeal to parents and support family involvement, offering a parent resource center full of information. Center directors can create a center website that can be broken down into classrooms and allow teachers to interact with parents on a parent page. The communication between parents, teachers and directors should be open and positive. Weekly newsletters can entail what is happening at the center, discuss classroom themes, projects, and teacher/student birthdays. The center can strive to schedule events around parent work schedules and lunch breaks.

                                                Parent Involvement Plan


1. Parent/Teacher Conferences:

This should be planned by the teacher. The teacher should set up conferences with parents and allow a flexible schedule for conferences. There should be time slots available in the morning and the afternoon. There may be a conference sign up booklet, placed by the classroom sign in. Center directors can arrange childcare for parents that are in a conference. They may also provide a few activities for parents who are waiting to be seen by the teacher for conference. The teacher will encourage parents to sign up for a conference as to discuss their child's progress. The conference information and request may also be available on the classroom web page.

2. Classroom Reading Program:

This program can be discussed at a parent/teacher meeting and a parent volunteer can create a log to have family volunteers alternate reading to their child's classroom. Parents and volunteers may want to wear their uniform to read if they have a job of interest for instance a community helper (firefighter, police officer, grocery store worker etc.). This will be an ongoing parent involvement that can last all year. This announcement can be in the parent resource center, on the classroom website, as well as mentioned by the teacher. Teachers can also have a parent board in their classrooms with parent information and "what we did today" information. A list of books can be displayed and parents can sign their name next to a book for that week.

3. Center Newsletter:

The director can create a center newsletter with information on what is happening in the center for the week. Teachers can also contribute each week in an area of the newsletter for their classroom. Important information about health and safety issues, birthdays, themes of the week and field trips may be included. Newsletter's can be placed in children's cubby every week and posted on the parent board. Have the newsletter available on the school website.

4. Classroom Website:

Teachers can create their own classroom website to keep parents informed on what happening in class. The website can display picture of the children in center areas as well as pictures of children's art work. Parents will be able to interact with their child's teacher and ask questions.

5. Classroom Monthly Email:

Teachers will email parents information on what occurring at the center. The will provide them with insight on the upcoming themes of the month and provide positive parenting techniques. Teachers may provide information on upcoming parent workshops and meetings.

6. Volunteer Program:

Center directors can establish a volunteer program for parents to come and help out in the classrooms. Parents may volunteer as a field trip chaperone, help with picture day and other special events.

7. Parent Resource Center:

Directors and Teachers will provide information on area such as child development, health and safety issues, children with disabilities, local help programs such as WIC, Social Services and the Health Department for immunizations. This area may contain pamphlets, magazines, brochures and more.