Family Connections

Resources you can use to engage families in supporting children’s learning and development

Supporting Every Family

Families come in all shapes and sizes, but they all want children to have the best possible early learning experiences! We help you connect with families by sharing resources that promote interactions of warmth, respect, and sensitivity to each family’s needs, background, and culture.

CONNECTING WITH FAMILIES: FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS

Engaging Families Early On

Teacher-Child Relationships

Strong relationships with families lead to strong relationships with children. NAEYC shares key practices that engage families in their child’s early learning.

Working with Families to Support Peer Relationships

Peer Relationships

This article from Raising Children Network (Australia) discusses how preschoolers make friends and what educators and families can do to support peer relationships.

Families as a Resource

Problem Solving With Others

In this article from the Center for Responsive Schools, Carol Davis shares how teachers can have conversations with families about problems that occur in the classroom.

Modeling Empathy

Fostering Empathy

Written by Amanda Morin for Understood.org, this blog is a great introduction for parents on what empathy is, how children learn this important skill, and how parents can model it at home.

Working with Families to Support Children's Self- Confidence

Promoting Self-Confidence

In this article from the Child Mind Institute, Liz Greene shares four ways families can support the development of self-confidence.

Embracing Families

Developing Sense of Self

The National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning (NCQTL) shares tips for educators on building relationships with families of dual language learners.

CONNECTING WITH FAMILIES: SUPPORTING SELF-REGULATION

Labeling Emotions at Home

Recognize and Describe Emotions

This short video (including printables) from Sesame Street models how caregivers can talk with children about their emotions, label children’s emotions, and support their big feelings with strategies that are simple to implement at home.

Tools to Talk About Emotions

Recognize and Describe Emotions

Young children deal with many of the same emotions that adults do. This short article from CSEFEL provides caregivers with simple strategies to help young children understand and express their emotions.

Responding to Strong Emotions

Supporting Children’s Emotions

Tantrums are one way young children express their strong emotions in the classroom and at home. This resource from Zero to Three offers caregivers strategies to prevent tantrums and respond to children’s strong emotions.

Supporting Families in Managing Behaviors

Supporting Children’s Behavior

Dr. Rosemarie Allen from the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations talks with two mothers about their experiences with school suspension.

CONNECTING WITH FAMILIES: MOVEMENT, SELF-CARE, HEALTHY HABITS

Encouraging Physical Activity

Gross Motor Skills

This video from the Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut State University offers several ways to incorporate physical activity into daily preschool and home routines.

Let’s Talk About Movement

Gross Motor Skills

This podcast from the Office of Head Start shares how educators and families can support infants’ and toddlers’ motor development through daily movement and active play.

Partnering With Families

Fine Motor Skills

This article by Risa Kerslake gives practical ways educators and families can collaborate together to support the development of children’s fine motor skills.

Fine Motor Skills at Home

Fine Motor Skills

In this video, educators share the benefits of developing fine motor control and give their top tips for developing children’s fine motor skills. These tips can be shared with families to use at home.

Supporting Self-Care at Home

Self-Care

This article explains the importance of self-care skills, how they develop, and ways to help children strengthen their skills in any setting – at school or at home.

Self-Help Skills at Home

Self-Care

This article from the Extension Alliance for Better Child Care shares ways educators and families can help young children become independent by encouraging various self-help activities.

Healthy Ways to Celebrate

Healthy Habits

From food to activities, this video from Alliance for a Healthier Generation offers tips to celebrate special occasions with children in healthy ways.

Promoting Healthy Habits

Healthy Habits

This article from UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals outlines ways to introduce new foods, make mealtimes pleasant, and ensure that toddlers get the nutrients they need.

Looking for more resources?

Equity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We invite you to check out resources to help you and your teams consider different ways to support each child’s needs.