This article seeks to provide insights into the role of teacher beliefs about parent and family involvement in supporting or inhibiting parent and family participation in partnerships related to the well being of child and family. The authors aim to offer positive beliefs and strategies for developing nurturing relations between families and…

Presents principles to guide the development of a family-school involvement approach for nurturing caring in children. Considers the importance of family-strengthening activities and the role of schools in creating caring children and parents. Suggests activities that focus on caring and that are mutually beneficial to family and school. (KB)

Parents and families who are homeless need positive communication experiences with early childhood programs. This article provides several examples of ways to connect with families who are homeless and to meet their needs through continuous communication. Staff development ideas, parent and family involvement, and school-community support…

Research provides insight into parent attributes that support partnerships with teachers. These attributes include warmth, sensitivity, nurturance, the ability to listen, consistency, positive self-image, personal competence, and effective interpersonal skills. Researchers have cited positive attitudes, continuous teacher training, involvement in…

Recent studies suggest that the involvement of parents and teachers with young children provides natural opportunities for modeling and nurturing positive cultural attitudes. Strategies that support children's multicultural learning within a context of family involvement are of three types. The first of these is parent education and support.…

Research provides insight into parent attributes that support partnerships with teachers. These attributes include warmth, sensitivity, nurturance, the ability to listen, consistency, positive self-image, personal competence, and effective interpersonal skills. Researchers have cited positive attitudes, continuous teacher training, involvement in…

This paper suggests ways that educators can learn about family needs, assess readiness for family-school cooperation, explore community resources, and activate an effective family-school relationship. Examples of family-school-community programs are provided. (SJL)

Explores topics related to how families, schools, and communities can use communication to strengthen their partnerships. Discusses how communication empowers participants in a shared-learning process, and explores how attitudes shape communication efforts. Examines the role of culture in the communication process, focusing on how cultural…

Research provides insight into parent attributes that support partnerships with teachers. These attributes include warmth, sensitivity, nurturance, the ability to listen, consistency, positive self-image, personal competence, and effective interpersonal skills. Researchers have cited positive attitudes, continuous teacher training, involvement in…

Emphasizes the critical role of parental input into design and implementation of family involvement programs. Discusses what parents consider meaningful family involvement, which can constitute the foundation for program development. Suggests ways to maintain a parent focus in program decisions. (BAC)

The focus of this book is on enabling parents, teachers and other caregivers to develop home-school situations where children and adults can learn and grow in positive ways. Chapter One includes a discussion of how parents and teachers learn from each other. In addition, the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children are…

Presents a framework for initiating multicultural learning during early childhood through active family involvement. This framework includes the rationale for multicultural education, opportunities for multicultural learning, sensitive issues, specific educational strategies, and resources. Each aspect of the framework is examined in relation to…

In the hope of extending school learning experiences into the home environment, this paper proposes that parents and teachers should combine their efforts to develop home learning kits. It was suggested that personal identity, community identity, cooperative living, and survival skills kits might all be worthwhile and necessary means by which to…

Proposes a new model of family involvement in early childhood education that empowers families as lifelong learners. Strategies that empower families include advocating for family-centered communities; developing relevant parent education; promoting developmentally appropriate programs; providing success-oriented learning experiences and…

Describes an early childhood program designed to increase children's school success in attaining key math, language, and computer learning concepts and skills. Used home visits, parent training sessions, teacher-parent conferences, a home learning center, and a computer home-loan program to strengthen parent involvement in their child's education.…