Family-centered practice is a set of beliefs and actions that influence how we engage families. Take another look at the chart below on the five Family-Centered Practice beliefs and corresponding actions. In the space to the right of each, record your first-thoughts and ideas of how to incorporate this philosophy into your infant and toddler program.

  1. Families are the most important decision-makers in a child’s life.
    • We learn about families’ ideas and preferences.
    • We provide choices in programming.
    • We involve families in program leadership.
    • We involve families in decision-making.
    • Establish and maintain ongoing communication with families throughout the school year
    • Provide multiple opportunities for families to learn about their children’s interactions and development in the program
    • Involve families in advisory groups
     
  2. Families are unique and their differences enrich our programs.
    • We honor and respect diversity.
    • We involve all the important people in a child’s life.
    • We engage and involve families.
    • We develop responsive and reciprocal relationships.
    • We represent families in our programs.
    • Incorporate the families’ materials in the room (photos, comfort objects, audio recordings)
    • Provide opportunities for families to visit and spend time in the classroom
    • Invite parents to come observe in the classroom
    • Include toys and materials in classroom that reflect diversity
    • Invite families in the classroom to share their traditions, food, and customs, and language
    • Make sure posters and materials in the classroom do not portray stereotypical images of individuals or groups of people 
     
  3. Families are resilient.
    • We learn about families’ strengths, needs, and circumstances.
    • We connect families with resources.
    • We build families’ strengths.
    • Provide opportunities for families to get to know one another; for example, through a family night
    • Introduce family members to each other as they drop off or pick up their children
    • Provide information about community events that families can attend
     
  4. Families are central to development and learning.
    • We share information with families.
    • We listen to families.
    • We view families as their child’s first teacher.
    • We respect families’ expertise about their child.
    • Share information with families about development
    • Ask families questions about their infant or toddler
     
  5. Families are our partners.
    • We use respectful, responsive, and two-way communication.
    • We reach out to families.
    • We involve families in all aspects of our program.
    • Use a variety of ways to communicate with families in the program (meetings, phone, email)
    • Ask open-ended questions