As educators, it’s crucial to promote a learning environment that is safe and secure while encouraging family involvement. It’s important to let parents and guardians be aware that they are the first and most influential teachers of their children. As professionals we are there to help support parents educate their child. Furthermore, informing parents of the importance of having them volunteer in the classroom can provide them with an insight into the classroom’s daily routine, gain more knowledge in child development and be more responsive to their child’s developmental needs. Encouraging parents to volunteer also gives educators the possibility to build a closer relationship, better communication and form a deeper understanding of families’ cultures as well as diversity.

In addition, encouraging parents to volunteer in the classroom can help parents develop a positive attitude towards learning, relationship with their child, view the daily routine, participate in activities and so forth. To empower family involvement I invite parents to the classroom, ask for help, remind them that they are important and thank them for their help. Working alongside parents strengthens the relationship and connection to better help the child in their journey into learning. In addition, it’s important to communicate with parents and see how their schedule looks. To some families it’s not that they don’t want to help, but that they don’t have the time due to work, school, family situations and so forth. When this happens, communication is a vital key and by providing books for children to take home and read with their parents is another way to involve parents. Parents are encouraged to take home books from the lending library and have literacy involvement with their child at home.

Furthermore, through parent involvement parents as well as close relatives are able to have the opportunity to engage with children in a school setting. It is important to provide these types of opportunities so that parents are able to feel connected as well as involved in their child’s life. Through active engagement, parents are able to connect with children as well as with other parents in the classroom. Families also have an opportunity to gain insight about their child as they observe them interacting and participating in the classroom. Furthermore, parents are able to build a sense of competence and a feeling of having the possibility to contribute to the program.

Last but not least, inviting parents into the classroom to talk about their occupation or share stories is a great way to encourage family involvement. Through this activity, children are able to view the different job occupations as well as parents are able to share what they do for a living. By having this activity parents are able to share their occupation, if they like their job, and what children need to know in order to obtain that occupation. This activity can also include people from the community so that children can see the different variety of helpers within the community. Also, sending home monthly flyers of upcoming events, field trips, and parties can allow parents to set time into their schedule to participate in the classroom.

All in all, it’s important to understand the power of family involvement and share with the parents the impact it has on the child’s life and community. In addition, it promotes healthy development, social-emotional development and so on. Families also have an opportunity to gain insight about their child as they observe them interacting and participating in the classroom. Children are able to see their families interact with other people in a meaningful, productive and respectful way. It enhances the child’s social, mental, and emotional development. When families are encouraged to be involved children become more confident and build their self -esteem, social skills and much more. Teachers are also able to gain knowledge and expertise from what families share about themselves.

Araceli Llanes is a mentor and teacher at the RCMA (RRedlands Christian Migrant Association) in LaBelle.