Family Engagement Toolkit


When adults come together to support children, profound changes can happen.

Engaging in a child’s learning and development is a dynamic and intentional process. Research shows that active family engagement leads to better outcomes for children and builds strong learning communities. Effective family engagement invites adults to learn together the best ways to connect, build trust, and join in true partnership for the well-being of a child.

The Trying Together Family Engagement Toolkit supports caregivers in bolstering their family engagement practice.

About the Toolkit

In this toolkit, families and early childhood educators can:

  • access strategies that strengthen the relationships that nourish a child’s growth and sense of belonging;
  • find ideas and resources to enrich relationships in their learning community;
  • learn ways to increase equity and access for all involved; and
  • take the opportunity to reflect upon family engagement practices in their home or program.

 

A young boy stands at a play table as he moves a toy train across a wooden track.

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At its essence, family engagement is a process in which educators and families build intentional, authentic relationships toward the shared goal of supporting a child’s healthy growth and development.

Family Engagement for Child Care Providers

Providers can learn how to make a family engagement plan, make a connection with families, and deepen the connection through their practice.

Tools for child care providers:

Relative Providers

Relative providers fill two special roles as both a family member and a provider for a child. When a relative provider engages with a parent or caregiver using intentional, strengths-based supportive strategies for communicating and connecting, they actively strengthen the network of caring adults that contribute to the child’s healthy learning and growing.

 

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Family involvement can benefit all children, especially those less likely to succeed in school.

Families

Families can learn more about how to make a family engagement plan, make and strengthen connections with carers, prepare for transitions, and more.

 

Acknowledgements

Support, inspiration, and insight for the Family Engagement Toolkit was drawn from several sources, including Jefferson Regional Foundation.

Learn more about our supporters and contributors.

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The Family Engagement Toolkit is available to read or download as a PDF, which includes links to additional resources and fillable PDF forms.

Image: An early learning professional sorts colorful toy pieces into four small boxes on the floor.