Ideas For Involving Parents

01/09/2004

“Being in the right does not depend on having a loud voice.” - Chinese Proverb

IDEAS FOR INVOLVING PARENTS

Each month our web site, www.ChildCareExchange.com, addresses a signficant challenge facing early childhood providers. This month the challenge we are addressing is Parent Involvment. It is generally acknowledged that the more parents are involved in the life of an early childhood program, the more likely it is that their child's experience will be positive and beneficial. However, involving parents in a world where everyone has too much to do, is a significant challenge.

Our web site offers solutions from Exchange as well ideas from our Panel of 300 members. A few of these ideas are listed below. To view all ideas or to contribute your own ideas, go to: http://mail.ccie.com/challenge/solutions.php

Barbara Crawford, Childlife Preschool, Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
"It is wonderful to be able to involve Dads in preschool programs. Over the years we have invited Dads to share their professions or specialities with the children. A heart surgeon came in his scrubs and brought a model of a heart. A children's dentist brought his guitar and taught the children songs about brushing your teeth. A firefighter brought his equipment and talked about fire safety. These were exciting visits for all of us."

Chantal Duerinckx, Stepping Stones Children's Centre, Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia:
"Upon enrollment we ask parents what special talents, interests and stories they have and whether they would like to share those with the children in a format that is open to them."

Marie Darstein, The Sunshine House, Rock Hill, SC, United States:
"It is critical that parents understand the importance of learning through play. We conduct a mock class with parents where 1/2 learn about Kiwis with a field trip (to the tree in the hall): smelling, feeling, tasting kiwis.
They also discuss how they can use kiwis in other areas of learning (if they were really in a class). The other 1/2 of the parents learn about kiwis with a coloring sheet and a brown and green crayon - ugh. It doesn't take long for them to understand the benefits of learning by doing and having fun at the same time."

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.