Staff meeting Parents are the first and foremost educators of their children, how can we as early educators work together to foster the link between the educational setting and home setting.

Parents are the first educators Parents are an important aspect of a child’s learning. Home life is where children build on their values, morals, beliefs and practices. Parents are the first and foremost educators of children they instill their child’s values and they are the child’s role models. As teachers it is important to have an understanding of our students home life e.g. culture and cultural beliefs, religion and family status.

HOW CAN WE AS EDUCATORS SUPPORT PARENTS? Educators need to involve parents/ families as they are the important aspect of a child’s home life, we need to help support parents to educate their children to their full potential. As educators we have a sole responsibility to help parents with their children. By linking the child’s home setting and interacting with parents, we can contribute to support the educational program that we teach during our day, to help parents learn the stages of their child’s growth and development. Let parents be aware of their child’s interests and dislikes, and show parents how to become more involved in their child’s education. Our Goal is to: -Provide leadership, education and support to families -Use effective communication with parents/families -Increase parents knowledge of Early childhood development -Improve parenting practice -Educators work to form partnerships with parents -Ensure parents are notified of their child’s daily activity and interests Support parents to become involved in their child’s education, to improve their learning

How can teachers link the children’s learning in their home settings? Involve home life experiences Incorporate children’s home interests into the educational program Encourage parents to have input and contribute to their child’s learning. Organise special visits for families to participate - Encourage parents to contribute with child’s interest, providing resources, or dress up days, etc.

How can we improve parent involvement into their child’s education? We should encourage parents and families to participate in our Educational program, such as: Implement a ‘Open door policy’ in our Centre- open invitation to visit, stay and be involved in child’s activities. Have a roster for parents to spend the day. As visitors, share a special skill with their children Attend Parent Teacher Interviews and Group Meetings Daily discussions with parents Organise Parent events such as; Mothers day Morning Tea, Easter hat parade, Fathers day Morning Tea, etc. Centre fundraising Helping with snack times Contributing to the Management Committee Assisting with Centre excursions Disturbing Newsletters Communicating through Notice and message boards Providing Information booklets Weekend sheets

Benefits of parents involvement Parents are the first and foremost educators of their child’s learning, the benefits of parents involvement in their child’s learning are: -An increase in children’s educational success Involving home life experiences and family input into our program Creating a partnership between parents and educators Providing the children with a sense of belonging by involving their home settings Delivers parents with more in depth information about their child’s development and interests, sharing understandings and meanings about the care and education. - Implementing effective communication between parents and educators, this gives parents every opportunity to be active partners in planning and working with professionals. Think of Ideas and Suggestions on How we can Implement more Parent Involvement and the Child’s Home settings into our Educational Programs??