The Anne Stonehouse article - Communicating with Families about Children's Learning reflects some of the most valuable points in relationship building with families in our services. Communication is so imperative - on all levels - and being able to share and hear and learn with and from families about their child, should and will be the focus of this communication. In this context, the consideration about how information is shared - by which medium, as well as in what 'tone' - will reflect how well that relationship has been forged.
This Anne Stonehouse article encourages self-reflection, as does the Pyramid Model framework. Specifically, how responsive and nurturing am I with regards families and their involvement in their child's experience at my service? Some suggestions for supporting conversations, relationship building and general responsiveness towards and with families are listed below. Consider the posed questions following a review of the Responsive Relationships implementation checklist.
Some relevant questions to consider:
How regularly do you communicate with families?
How do you extend these opportunities to ensure the communication is two-way and open?
How do you celebrate with and about families?
Do you manage to connect personally with each family at some time during the year?
How encouraging are you of family involvement?
Do you share the information you gain regarding the value of social and emotional development alongside all other areas of learning?
How do you know that all families have access to and understand where to find resources that may support and answer any queries they may have?
Some supporting resources:
NQS - Professional Learning Program Calendar to prompt opportunities to connect with all families (ask Sara to work with you on creating this) *
Does this Child Need Help - 3rd edition training through ECIA NSW (conducted locally)KidsMatter - Connecting with Families online training modules
*Pyramid Model Implementation Guide, 2nd Edition - Nurturing & Responsive Relationships
Contact Sara Stockman, Positively Growing positivelygrowing@gmail.com
