6/2014

The National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement NCPFCE is pleased to offer the Family Engagement and School Readiness Series for 2014. This month, our featured topic is Families as First Teachers: Supporting Learning at Home. Head Start and Early Head Start staff can use these resources to support families to prepare their children for school and foster a love of learning.

Families as First Teachers: Supporting Learning at Home

How can your program partner with families as their childs first teacher? Help families create fun learning activities for their children at home and in the community. Learn simple ways your program can help families strengthen their childrens learning at home this summer and year-round. Explore and use these resources for staff training and to support home-school connections with families.

Featured Resources to Support Families as First Teachers

Understanding Family Engagement Outcomes: Research to Practice Series – Families as Lifelong Educators

Families prepare their children for school success when they promote a love of learning, create positive relationships with schools, and share cultural values with their children. Parents can read, sing, and talk with children about what they are interested in. These all help childrens social, emotional, cognitive, and motivation skills. Explore this resource for strategies and research to support families as lifelong educators. Also available in Spanish español.

The Natural World: Where Learning Comes Alive!

Current research shows that children who regularly play outdoors are healthier, smarter, and happier. Spending time together in the natural world is a perfect time for families to encourage learning. Encourage staff to see the outdoors as part of their classroom as well. Explore this resource page for outdoor learning ideas to share with families and staff.

Honoring the Past, Strengthening the Future: My Parents, My Teachers Video

Watch this video to learn why the first three years of life are important to childrens brain development. Parents, as first teachers, can help children grow and develop by reading aloud, talking to their children, and playing music. Share these ideas with families to help children grow and develop the skills they will need to enter school ready to succeed. Also available in Spanish español.

The Importance of Home Language Series

Children’s comfort with speaking in their home language is important to school success. Families can sing songs, tell stories, and listen to music in their home language. Going to cultural activities helps children become comfortable and supports fluency. Explore this series for great ideas and information to share with families. Also available in Spanish español.

Family Engagement and School Readiness Resources on ECLKC

Visit our Family Engagement and School Readiness page on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center ECLKC for additional tools and resources.

How to Subscribe

Select this link to subscribe to the series: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/family/center/subscribe-pfce.html

Please share this message with all staff and supervisors in your program who may be interested in participating.

Questions?

Email questions about this series to OHS_PFCE@HSICC.org. Wed love to hear about your programs efforts and progress around this topic.

Source National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement and Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center