[mackenziemoore]

I think families are primary educators because they create the environment in which their child grows and develops starting from birth, outside of the classroom. They help the child reach milestones (whether they realize it or not, provide building blocks into the beliefs and understanding their child has and become the main caregiver/person they look to for advice/support/help from their very first problems at infancy.

Childcare providers can support families in this role through conversations about the development and growth of their child. Celebrating the reach of milestones, sharing the observations they have regarding the specific areas of development and also sharing any insight or tips that could help them positively. Never be too pushy on ideas or implementing classroom techniques at home, as that is our job as caregivers to create the best learning environment. But helping parents through learning suggestions, answering questions and encouraging them in the hardest job any of us have by being parents.

3 Supporting families is important because it will help expand and build a trusting and respectful relationship with the family. When they feel supported, they are more open to suggestions or ideas. They will ask questions and in some cases become more involved with the classroom. But most importantly the children will feed off of how the parents feel about the teacher or caregivers. If the parents trust and respect you, the kids will do the same. Just as if they have an issue with you or not feeling supported, the children may also withdraw and not trust.