By Karen Cairone, Mary Mackrain, and Rudee Robertson
Partnerships between teachers and families are essential in creating individualized and intentional experiences for young children. By working together, teachers and families can foster a child’s learning and development in a way that is consistent across home, community, and school environments. These collaborative efforts help children develop protective factors – characteristics, people, and supports that help a person get through tough times – that are crucial for their overall well-being and success.
At home and in the community, children learn about their family’s values, cultural beliefs, and appropriate behaviors. In early childhood programs, they develop social skills, learn to collaborate with peers, and adopt behaviors that help them thrive in a structured environment. When teachers and families establish strong partnerships built on respect and trust, they create continuity in a child’s life, strengthening resilience and supporting their development.
The Importance of Teacher-Family Partnerships in Promoting Protective Factors
Teacher-family partnerships play a vital role in fostering protective factors that help children navigate challenges and build resilience. Here at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children, we focus on three within-child protective factors: initiative, self-regulation, and attachment/relationships. Strengthening these protective factors through teacher-family partnerships contributes to children’s ability to thrive in various settings.
Initiative
Observing how families interact with their children provides valuable insights for teachers, allowing them to offer consistency that supports a child’s growth and development. Teachers can encourage initiative by aligning their support with the family’s personal and developmental goals for their child.
For example, if a family is expecting a new baby, teachers can prepare a preschooler by introducing books about siblings, facilitating discussions with classmates who have younger siblings, and integrating relevant activities into the curriculum.
Practices that promote initiative through teacher-family partnerships include:
- Encouraging families to share their aspirations for their child
- Providing opportunities for families to observe their child’s classroom interactions
- Inviting feedback on curriculum and teaching strategies
- Keeping families informed and engaged in program events
- Allowing families to contribute to their child’s education in ways that suit their schedule and interests
Self-Regulation
Children rely on their families and teachers to help them navigate new experiences, from adjusting to separations to learning conflict resolution. Trusting relationships with teachers provide essential support, helping children manage daily stressors and develop self-regulation skills.
Ways to strengthen self-regulation through teacher-family partnerships include:
- Offering multiple communication channels (phone calls, emails, texts, and meetings) to keep families informed about their child’s day
- Providing resources on child development and age-appropriate expectations
- Connecting families with community services that may benefit their child
- Sharing and modeling teaching strategies tailored to a child’s strengths and developmental needs
Attachment/Relationships
Families are the primary influence in a child’s life, and when they collaborate with teachers, children see the key adults in their world working together to support them. Positive interactions between teachers and families foster security and trust, reinforcing healthy relationships for the child.
Examples of teaching practices that strengthen relationships with families include:
- Inviting parents to visit the classroom regularly
- Creating opportunities for discussions about family traditions, cultural values, and language
- Organizing events that allow families to connect with one another and build community
Strong teacher-family partnerships are foundational in shaping children’s social-emotional development and resilience. By working together, teachers and families create a seamless support system that enhances children’s learning experiences, nurtures their individual strengths, and fosters a sense of belonging. When teachers and families join forces, children benefit from a well-rounded, cohesive approach to their growth and development.
For more information, including specific strategies for supporting and strengthening teacher-family partnerships, check out Promoting Resilience in Preschoolers: A Strategy Guide for Early Childhood Professionals, 2nd Ed.
