Family-centered practice is a set of beliefs and actions that influence how we engage families. Take another look at the chart below on the fiveFamily-Centered Practice信仰和相应的行动。在空间the right of each, record your first-thoughts and ideas of how to incorporate this philosophy into your infant and toddler program.

1. Families are the most important decision-makers in a child’s life.

   • We learn about families’ ideas and preferences.
   • We provide choices in programming.
   • We involve families in program leadership.
   • We involve families in decision-making.

   • Establish and maintain ongoing communication with families throughout the school year
   • Provide multiple opportunities for families to learn about their children’s interactions and development in the program
   • Involve families in advisory groups
2. Families are unique and their differences enrich our programs.

   • We honor and respect diversity.
   • We involve all the important people in a child’s life.
   • We engage and involve families.
   • We develop responsive and reciprocal relationships.
   • We represent families in our programs.

   • Incorporate the families’ materials in the room (photos, comfort objects, audio recordings)
   • Provide opportunities for families to visit and spend time in the classroom
   • Invite parents to come observe in the classroom
   • Include toys and materials in classroom that reflect diversity
   • Invite families in the classroom to share their traditions, food, and customs, and language
   • Make sure posters and materials in the classroom do not portray stereotypical images of individuals or groups of people
3. Families are resilient.

   • We learn about families’ strengths, needs, and circumstances.
   • We connect families with resources.
   • We build families’ strengths.

   • Provide opportunities for families to get to know one another; for example, through a family night
   • Introduce family members to each other as they drop off or pick up their children
   • Provide information about community events that families can attend
4. Families are central to development and learning.

   • We share information with families.
   • We listen to families.
   • We view families as their child’s first teacher.
   • We respect families’ expertise about their child.

   • Share information with families about development
   • Ask families questions about their infant or toddler
5. Families are our partners.

   • We use respectful, responsive, and two-way communication.
   • We reach out to families.
   • We involve families in all aspects of our program.

   • Use a variety of ways to communicate with families in the program (meetings, phone, email)
   • Ask open-ended questions