- Identify personal views and importance of families.
- Recognize family-centered practice as a key component of early childhood education.
- Examine individual family systems in which preschoolers grow and develop.
- Recognize that all families are unique.
Learn
Know
What are Your Views About Families?
What comes to your mind when you hear the word family? Perhaps thoughts of individuals who have influenced and shaped your life, or images of people coming together to celebrate holidays and other significant events; maybe smells of home-cooked food, memories of conversations or arguments you had with loved ones, feelings of love, joy, or even sadness.
Family is central to an individual’s life. Particularly when it comes to young children, families assume critical roles that significantly affect children’s overall well-being and development. As a professional working with young children, it is crucial for you to appreciate and understand children’s families. This lesson will familiarize you with current perspectives on how families are viewed and how they function. This information will provide helpful context in order to better understand your work and interactions with families.
The Meaning of Family
When you think of the word “family,” what does it mean to you? Who makes up your family? What kinds of things do you do together? What role do you play in your family?
Every family is different and it is important to keep an open mind about what and who makes up a family. Each person defines family in his or her own way. For some, family may represent those individuals living in the same home (under one roof). For others, family may be the child’s parents and all of the important adults who help care for the young child, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, or best friends. Family is typically consistent in the preschooler’s life and it can be one of the most important sources of information about the child.
The U.S. Census Bureau defines a family as “a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together." The National Association for the Education of Young Children (2011, p. 3) suggests that “the term family may include those adults, besides parents, with the responsibility of being involved in educating, nurturing, and advocating for the child.” Researchers studying and working with families define family as “two or more people who regard themselves as a family and who carry out the functions that families typically perform. These people may or may not be related by blood or marriage and may or may not usually live together” (Turnbull, Turnbull, Erwin, & Soodak, 2006, p. 7).
What are some things that stand out to you as you read these definitions? You may notice that the first definition is quite specific in terms of how relationships are described, whereas the other two definitions are broader. As a professional working with young children, it is important to acknowledge that your own experiences influence your views about families and working with families. You will encounter individuals who define family differently than you do and who may share values, customs, or codes of behavior that are different from yours. When you encounter differing views, it is important to keep an open mind to better understand how each person’s family may have affected and shaped them into who they are today.
Families come in many different forms, and each one plays a vital role in our communities. Families can differ in the number of caregivers, types of caregivers, as well as the relationships between the caregivers. While family structures may be different, they each offer unique strengths. Research shows that children in more complex family arrangements may sometimes face challenges, such as less frequent caregiving from one parent. While more complex differences can present some challenges, research indicates that the impact of family structure on child well-being is relatively small (Juteau, et.al, 2023). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that family well-being occurs when all family members are safe, healthy, and have chances for educational advancement and economic mobility. Support services such as early care and education, housing and food assistance, and physical and mental health care positively contribute to the well-being of families and their children. When families face challenges that cause stress, their health and wellness can be negatively impacted. Engaging families as active participants in problem-solving and goal-setting can help them identify and use their own strengths to address the challenges they face. By making sure all families have access to support, resources, and understanding, we can help every child and caregiver thrive—no matter what their family looks like. When we recognize and value all types of families, we build stronger, more connected communities. Every family matters—and every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, loving environment.
As you think about how best to engage with and support the families in your program, consider your role in strengthening families’ protective factors. The good news is that many of the behaviors that correspond to positive family functioning can be “taught and strengthened with education.” (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2019, p. 42).
Introducing Family-Centered Practice
Families are partners, active participants, and decision makers in their children’s education process because of their impact and effect on child development. As a result, family-centered focus is considered one of the indicators of quality in early childhood education, programs, and services. At the heart of family-centered practice is the belief that families are the most important decision makers in a child’s life. Therefore, professionals must respect, support, and enhance the strengths and unique characteristics of each family (Sandall, Hemmeter, Smith, & McLean, 2005).
Family-centered practice also means that you understand the important and large effect all family members have on each other and on the preschool child. All family members are interconnected, and affect each other and the ways that the family functions. From our family, we learn skills that enable us to engage and learn in school and excel in the workplace.
When considering family-centered practice, you are viewing preschoolers as part of a larger system; you are viewing their family as a whole. You become aware of and sensitive to the interactions and relationships taking place within the family, as well as outside interactions and supports that affect them. To maintain relationships and to work effectively together, you learn, respect and understand characteristics of each family and its support system. You can also consider the characteristics and stressors of families which may negatively affect their involvement. What affects one family member can affect all family members. A family is a system in which no one member can be viewed in isolation.
Throughout the Virtual Laboratory School, we consider family-centered practice as an umbrella term that encompasses the beliefs and actions of people in your program. Consider this graphic:
Family-Centered Practice | |
|---|---|
Beliefs | Actions |
Families are the most important decision-makers in a child's life. |
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Families are unique and their differences enrich our programs. |
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Families are resilient. |
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Families are central to development and learning. |
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Families are our partners. |
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Making an effort to understand preschoolers and their families can create opportunities for you to better support the children in your care.
Respecting Differences in Families
Some very important learning occurs during the first few years of life. For example, preschoolers are learning how to interact with peers and adults, how to express their emotions, and how to become more independent. All of these behaviors are influenced by culture, or the shared traditions, experiences, and history of different groups of people. Cultural differences may include differences in views of family and community, expectations of children, roles of parents and children, and value placed on education.
Backgrounds and experiences play a significant role in the way families raise their children and how you interact with preschool children. Examine your own experiences and consider how these experiences affect your practice and interaction with preschoolers and families. Each individual brings specific values, beliefs, and assumptions about child-rearing and development to their work. In almost every type of preschool routine you perform, your values about it were shaped by your childhood and training. As you work with preschoolers and families, it is important to recognize your values and beliefs and the ways in which they are communicated. For example, a parent might expect his child to use a pacifier at nap time for self-soothing, and you expect a child to stop using a pacifier during the toddler stage.
Sometimes, you might feel unsure about how to care for a preschooler or how to engage families who have very different experiences and backgrounds, including those who speak an unfamiliar language or practice unfamiliar religious customs. You can acknowledge these differences and express an interest in the family to build relationships and learn ways to provide support to the preschoolers in your care. For example, you can learn how and when families share meals, which is influenced by their beliefs and affects development. When differences are discussed respectfully, it can lead to an agreement on how children will be supported in an early care and learning environment.
Early care and learning settings provide an environment in which adults and children can learn about differences in values, beliefs, and perceptions. Learning one's culture occurs primarily within the family, however, in early care and learning environments preschoolers also learn about other backgrounds and experience relationships that influence their sense of who they are and who they will become.
To help children develop this sense of who they are, it’s important to recognize the unique qualities of each family. Families differ in many ways, some of which include:
- Composition (who is a member of the family)
- Language
- Socioeconomic status
- Ability or disability
- Educational background
- Values and traditions
- Child-rearing practices
- Religious preferences
Being a responsive preschool teacher means that you demonstrate sensitivity and consideration for the multiple backgrounds, experiences, values, and contexts in which children and families live. Being a responsive preschool teacher also means that you avoid making assumptions about different groups of people and the ways they act or think. As much as it is important to acknowledge differences between various groups of people, it is also important to recognize differences within groups. While there may be commonly shared characteristics, values, and attributes among people who come from a particular geographic region or heritage, there is still considerable variability within the same group in terms of values, routines, or ways of doing things.
Working with families whose values and beliefs are different from your own may, at times, make you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. It can be a difficult process in which people from various backgrounds are challenged to face and understand different points of view, accept unfamiliar ways of doing things, and ultimately work together toward a common goal. It is important to understand that this is a two-way process, and that in the same way you may occasionally feel challenged or confused, families may feel the same. Researchers remind us, “the challenge is not so much for service providers to give up their own beliefs, as to cultivate a habit of learning to understand and respect those of others.”
See
Appreciating Children's Families
Do
There are many ways to show that you value the families of children in your program. Consider the following guidelines that reflect family-centered practice (Johnson, 1990; Turnbull, Turbiville, & Turnbull, 2000). Then think about how you can use these guidelines in your work with children and families.
Including Children's Families
Completing This Course
For more information on what to expect in this course, the Family Engagement Competency Reflection, and a list of the accompanying Learn, Explore and Apply resources and activities offered throughout the lessons, visit the Preschool Family Engagement Course Guide.
Please note the References & Resources section at the end of each lesson outlines reference sources and resources to find additional information on the topics covered. As you complete lessons, you are not expected to review all the online references available. However, you are welcome to explore the resources further if you have interest, or at the request of your trainer, coach, or administrator.
Explore
The Things to Consider activity outlines questions caregivers can ask themselves when considering assumptions and family-centered practice in their work. Answer the questions and then share your thoughts and responses with a trainer, coach, or administrator.
Apply
In this lesson, you were introduced to family-centered practice. Review these beliefs and actions listed in the Family-Centered Practice: First Thoughts activity and reflect on how to incorporate this philosophy into your classroom. Share your responses with your trainer, coach or administrator.
Families provide valuable information on ways to improve classroom and program practices. Use the Family Questionnaire handout to gather feedback from families in your classroom on ways to improve your current practices and support your professional development goals. CDA candidates should use the CDA Family Questionnaire for this activity.
Glossary
Demonstrate
Broderick, C.B. (1993). Understanding family process: Basics of family systems theory. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Dunst, C.J. (2002). Family-centered practices: birth through high school. Journal of Special Education, 36(3), 139-147.
Dunst, C.J., Trivette, C.M., & Hamby, D. W. (2008). Research synthesis and meta-analysis of family-centered practices. Asheville, NC: Winterberry Press.
Global Family Research Project. (2021). https://gfrp.staging55.mugo.ca/About-Ust
Hanson, M. J., & Lynch, E.W. (2004). Understanding families: Approaches to diversity, disability, and risk. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Hanson, M. J. (1998). Ethnic, cultural, and language diversity in intervention settings. In E. W. Lynch & M. J. Hanson (Eds.). Developing cross-cultural competence: A guide for working with children and their families (pp. 3–22). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Howard, V.F., Williams, B.F., Port, P.D., & Lepper, C. (2001). Very young children with special needs: A formative approach for the 21st century, 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.
Johnson, B. H. (1990). The changing role of families in health care. Children’s Health Care, 19(4), 234-241.
Juteau, G., Brown, S. L., Manning, W. D., & Westrick-Payne, K. (2023). Exploring family structure diversity among children in families with low incomes. Child Trends. https://doi.org/10.56417/4048v2670h
Lynch, E.W., & Hanson, M. J. (2004). Developing cross-cultural competence: A guide for working with young children and their families, 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Mitchell, S., Foulger, T. S., & Wetzel, K. (2009). Ten tips for involving families through Internet-based communication. Young Children 64(5), 46-49.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). Strengthening the military family readiness system for a changing American society. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25380
National Association for the Education of Young Children. Engaging diverse families.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (2011). NAEYC position statement: Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. https://www.naeyc.org/positionstatements/ethical_conduct
Poston, D., Turnbull, A., Park, J., Mannan, H., Marquis, J., & Wang, M. (2003). Family quality of life: A qualitative inquiry. Mental Retardation, 41(5), 313-328.
Trivette, C. M. & Dunst, C. J. (2005). DEC recommended practices: Family-Based practices. In S. Sandall, M. L. Hemmeter, B. J. Smith, & M. E. McLean (Eds.). DEC recommended practices: A comprehensive guide for practical application (pp. 107-126). Longmont, CO: Sopris West.
Turnbull, A. P., Turbiville, V., & Turnbull, H. R. (2000). Evolution of family-professional partnerships: Collective empowerment as the model for the early twenty-first century. In J. P. Shonkoff & S. J. Meisels (Eds.). Handbook of Early Childhood Intervention (pp. 630-650). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Turnbull, A., Turnbull, R., Erwin, E. J., & Soodak, L. C. (2006). Families, professionals, and exceptionality: Positive outcomes through partnerships and trust. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
U.S. Department of Commerce, United States Census Bureau: Current Population Survey (CPS) – Definitions. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Early Childhood and Learning and Knowledge Center-Family Support and Well-being. https://headstart.gov/family-support-well-being