Families as Primary Partners in their Child’s Development and School Readiness

Summary

This tool kit aims to help communities partner with parents to enhance child development and school readiness. Its two-part approach involves: 1) developing parents as their child’s first teacher; and 2) engaging parents as decision makers and leaders. Both sections are jam packed with resources, references and tips and drive home a simple refrain: We must act today to help prepare our youngest students for success in the classroom tomorrow.  

Table of Contents

• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• Table of Contents
• Introduction: Purpose and Literature Review
• Definitions
• Bibliography—Introduction
• PART I Parents as Educators: Learning in the Context of Relationships and Child Development
• A. Parent Education and Parents as Educators
• B. Parent Education Models: Home Visiting and Site-Based Intervention
• C. Professional and Paraprofessional Competence
• D. Evaluating Parent Education Programs
• Bibliography—Part 1
• PART II Parents as Leaders: Engaging Parents as Advisors, Advocates, and Decision Makers
• A. Parent Involvement and Leadership Roles
• B. Policies and Standards: Infrastructure to Support Parent Involvement and Leadership Roles
• C. Engaging Families in Leadership Roles
• D. Parent Preparation for Parent Involvement in Leadership Roles
• E. Provider and Professional Preparation for Partnerships and Collaborative Leadership with Parents
• F. Sustaining Collaborative Leadership
• Bibliography—Part II

Key Takeaway

The math is simple: Informed, engaged parents = enhanced school readiness for children

How do we prepare kids for the classroom? Empower their parents with knowledge, leadership opportunities and decision-making capacities. The returns on this school readiness strategy will ripple out into families, schools and communities, say experts.