The Family
As parents and families play the most important role in the lives of their children, many challenges and pressures that families face have been given increasing concern. For example, separation and divorce, family violence and financial problems. This essay will discuss the importance of effective parent/teacher partnerships in early childhood education, and focus on one particular challenge that a family may face and identify the effects that this challenge may have on children and their families. A range of relevant strategies can be used to support children and families also will be analyzed. As well as, how parent/teacher partnerships and relevant community organisations would support families with this challenge will be discussed.
‘Family’ is a meaningful and pervasive word in people’s daily life and culture. The meaning of family can vary to individuals due to regional, cultural and religious influences. According to Robinson and Diaz (2006), a family is generally perceived as a ‘natural’ expression of human biological relationships. As well as, “ for statistical purposes a family is defined as two or more people living in the same household who comprise wither a couple, with or without children, or one parent and their children” (Ministry of Social Development [MoSD], 2004, p. 19).
Effective parent/teacher partnership plays a pivotal role in supporting the development of children. It is apparent that parents’ involvement or interaction with their children’s early childhood education centre is important to both teachers and children. Parents can be involved by “providing necessary information about the child, providing resources and attending special events to active participation in decision-making” (Keesing Styles, 2000, p. 5). Teacher plays a significant role in holding the teacher/parent partnerships together (Patrikakou & Weissberg, 1999). In order to build positive and strong partnerships, it is crucial for the parents and teachers to show
‘Family’ is a meaningful and pervasive word in people’s daily life and culture. The meaning of family can vary to individuals due to regional, cultural and religious influences. According to Robinson and Diaz (2006), a family is generally perceived as a ‘natural’ expression of human biological relationships. As well as, “ for statistical purposes a family is defined as two or more people living in the same household who comprise wither a couple, with or without children, or one parent and their children” (Ministry of Social Development [MoSD], 2004, p. 19).
Effective parent/teacher partnership plays a pivotal role in supporting the development of children. It is apparent that parents’ involvement or interaction with their children’s early childhood education centre is important to both teachers and children. Parents can be involved by “providing necessary information about the child, providing resources and attending special events to active participation in decision-making” (Keesing Styles, 2000, p. 5). Teacher plays a significant role in holding the teacher/parent partnerships together (Patrikakou & Weissberg, 1999). In order to build positive and strong partnerships, it is crucial for the parents and teachers to show