Family Engagement

Tools for building strong school–family partnerships, improving communication, supporting learning at home, and involving parents in the early education experience.

Four people, including a young boy and three adults, sit around a round table in a classroom setting, engaged in conversation that highlights a strong family-teacher partnership. The boy gestures with his hands while the adults listen attentively and hold papers.

Family-Teacher Partnerships: Boundaries & Communication

The Family-Teacher Partnership: Establishing Boundaries and Communication The relationship between families and teachers is one of the most important—and sometimes most challenging—partnerships in education. When this relationship thrives, students benefit tremendously. When it falters, everyone struggles. Research consistently shows that…

A person with long brown hair holds a clipboard and fills out a family survey form outdoors, using a pen to mark answers on a checklist.

Preschool Family Surveys: How to Gather Actionable Feedback

Family Surveys That Provide Actionable Feedback for Programs “How are we doing?” It seems like a simple question, but for educational programs seeking meaningful feedback from families, the answer can be surprisingly elusive. Generic satisfaction surveys often yield vague responses…

A man smiles while engaging fathers' role, playing with a young child seated on a green chair. They are stacking colorful rings, with plush toys and a blue storage basket in the background.

Engaging Fathers in Preschool: Boost Dad Involvement

Dad Involvement: Strategies for Engaging Fathers in Early Education When we picture parent involvement in early education, we often default to images of mothers volunteering in classrooms, attending parent-teacher conferences, and managing school communications. Yet research consistently shows that father…

Five smiling children lie in a circle on colorful foam mats, showcasing cultural competence as they enjoy each other's company. Dressed in bright, casual clothes, they look happy and relaxed while gazing up at the camera.

Preschool Cultural Competence: Partner with Diverse Families

Cultural Competence: Partnering with Families from Diverse Backgrounds In today’s increasingly diverse educational landscape, the ability to build authentic partnerships with families from all cultural backgrounds isn’t just a nice-to-have skill—it’s essential for student success. When schools and educators develop…

Three children sitting at a desk in a classroom, smiling and looking at a tablet together as they explore their digital portfolios. One girl wears glasses on her head while the others sit beside her, all appearing engaged and happy.

Digital Portfolios: Real-Time Insights Into Child’s Learning

Digital Portfolios: Sharing Your Child’s Learning Journey in Real Time Remember the days of bulging folders coming home at the end of the school year, stuffed with months-old artwork and assignments? Or perhaps you’ve experienced the frustration of asking your…

A group of young children sit on the floor in a classroom, facing a teacher who is reading a book to them during family literacy night. The teacher is seated in front, and the children are listening attentively.

Family Literacy Night Ideas: How to Plan a Successful Event

Family Literacy Night: Planning a Successful School Event There’s something magical about seeing families gathered at school after hours, laughing together over books, creating literacy-based crafts, and building memories around reading. A well-planned Family Literacy Night can become one of…

Two children sit at a table playing with educational wooden toys, including letter blocks and a colorful abacus from home learning kits, engaging in hands-on learning activities.

Preschool Home Learning Kits: Easy Extensions for Families

Home Learning Kits: Creating Take-Home Extensions of Classroom Learning The classroom bell rings at dismissal, but learning doesn’t have to stop at the school doors. Home learning kits—thoughtfully curated collections of materials that extend classroom concepts into the home environment—create…

A woman, a man, and a young child sit on a rug in the living room, enjoying family engagement as they play with a colorful stacking ring toy. A gray couch and light-colored decor complete the cozy scene in the background.

Family Engagement for Working Parents: Ways to Participate

Family Engagement for Working Parents: Meaningful Participation When Time is Limited You’ve seen the emails about classroom volunteering, PTA meetings, and school events. And like many working parents, you’ve probably felt that familiar pang of guilt when you had to…

A diverse group of adults and children sit in a circle in a classroom, engaging in a discussion similar to parent-teacher conferences. One woman holds a clipboard and appears to be leading the conversation.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: How to Make the Most of 15 Mins

Parent-Teacher Conferences: Making the Most of Your 15 Minutes You’ve just received the email: parent-teacher conferences are coming up. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, those 15-minute slots can feel surprisingly high-pressure. After all, you’re discussing your child’s…

A young boy sits between two adults, likely his parents, across a table from a teacher in a colorful classroom, suggesting a parent-teacher meeting focused on effective communication strategies.

Creative Family Communication Strategies Beyond Newsletter

Beyond the Newsletter: Creative Ways to Communicate with Families If you’re still relying solely on weekly newsletters to connect with families, you might be missing out on deeper engagement opportunities. While newsletters serve a purpose, today’s families crave more meaningful,…

Trending now

A brightly lit preschool environment with green walls, colorful children's chairs and tables, shelves with toys and books, and a wooden floor. Large windows let in natural light. The room looks tidy and inviting for kids.
Creating the Ultimate Preschool Environment at Home & School
Two images side by side: on the left, young children paint and do crafts; on the right, a girl concentrates on a wooden Montessori activity. Explore the differences between Reggio Emilia vs Montessori at the bottom of the image.
Reggio Emilia vs Montessori: Best Approach for Your Child
A woman in a striped shirt smiles and gestures toward a Waldorf classroom, where several children play with toys and blocks amid bright, cheerful decorations designed for young kids.
Inside a Waldorf Classroom: What Makes It Truly Special
A teacher sits at a table with a group of young children, all raising their hands and smiling as they engage in a HighScope-inspired interactive classroom activity. The room is bright and cheerful.
HighScope Preschool in Action: A Day of Purposeful Learning