Ways that Families Can Use the Early Learning Guidelines

The family is the child’s first and most important teacher, and provides the child with a foundation for both healthy development and a positive attitude toward learning.

Supporting families in nurturing their children is essential

Families should be aware of programmatic goals, experiences that should be provided for children, and expectations for their children’s learning and development by the end of the preschool years. Teachers, caregivers and families should work collaboratively to ensure that children are provided optimal learning experiences.

Families are the best advocates for their children. Family members can use strategies listed in the Guidelines to offer suggestions and promote various projects and activities both at home and within their communities.

The Guidelines can help families learn about what to look for as they choose programs for their young children.

Children benefit when family members are invited to participate in ongoing communication about what is happening in their child’s early childhood program through parent-teacher conferences, open houses, parent-child activity times, parent education, transition-to-kindergarten sessions and volunteer opportunities.

Information about developmentally appropriate expectations can be shared with parents during these times. Teachers and caregivers can also take advantage of these opportunities to gather information from family members about their child, and the expectations that they have for their child’s learning.

The early childhood setting can support families in recognizing the value of preserving their home languages and culture. The program can also provide support systems to assist children’s transitions into school language and culture.