This study's purpose was to elucidate the experiences of educators raising and responding to child-related concerns within Early Childhood Education and Care settings. Parent satisfaction with interactions, educators' ratings of how well interactions went, and educator confidence related to raising or responding to concerns, were examined.…

Building on Froebelian principles that highlight the importance of family and community, this study explored the importance of collaboration and communication as part of a two-way dialogue. The aim was to identify the key characteristics of a model that would encourage interest and commitment to partnerships from both parents and practitioners.…

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted families from low-income backgrounds. The shift to remote learning has required parents with preschool-age children to adapt to new ways of collaborating with teachers. Given the longstanding inequities in the education of children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, exacerbated by the pandemic,…

The concept, approaches to learning (ATL), is an important dimension of children's school readiness, which reflects children's enthusiasm and engagement in learning settings. Due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), when preschools were shut down for months and children's social interactions were greatly limited, preschoolers' ATL might be…

The purpose of this study is to explore Burmese refugee parents' perspectives on the challenges they have experienced and the support that they expect to receive from their children's schools and teachers. The data sources include interviews and informal conversations during home visits. The findings of this study show that two major challenges…

This article explores the face-to-face interactions between parents and teachers in parent-teacher conferences in the Swedish preschool. The article highlights how the preschool teacher introduces the conference by using a specific artifact, so-called "strength cards" with words relating to characteristic behaviour and qualities. The theoretical…

This qualitative study builds on the previous body of emergent literacy research by investigating the use of storybook reading with parents during morning transition times through observation on fifteen toddlers (2- to 3-years old), their parents, and teachers in a university preschool classroom. The focus of this study is to investigate whether…

This article addresses the value of teachers establishing rituals and traditions in early childhood classrooms. Using the lens of a particular preschool classroom, where one of the co-authors taught for many years, the article describes specific traditions that have been established over the years and how these rituals, activities, and events…

The purpose of this article is to help teachers become more responsive to the changing needs and contexts of families in their efforts to establish relationships and encourage family participation. Through this article, the authors describe the changing landscape of parenting and the stressors experienced by contemporary families. The authors then…

The purpose of this article is to describe the effects that parent perceptions of their relationships with teachers have on parent involvement. After providing a brief review of literature identifying the importance of parent-teacher relationship formation, the authors provide suggestions for early childhood educators that will help them establish…

A study of Mexican immigrant mothers of young children in the AVANCE-Dallas early childhood intervention program demonstrates that low-educational parents often exhibit ambitious attitudes about educational achievement for their children. Though they lack an extensive academic background, which places their children at risk for low education,…

Discusses frequently asked questions, presents common concerns, and gives suggestions for families and parents in five areas related to children's home computer use: (1) software selection; (2) computer time; (3) the Internet; (4) family interaction; and (5) supervision. (KB)

Examines ways to increase the effectiveness of partnerships between schools, families, and communities. Recommends using smarter communication, making the school more welcoming to families and communities, reaching out to reluctant families, enlisting parents and community agencies to help educate children, and helping families obtain support for…

Discusses benefits of sidewalk or on-the-run conferences when teachers can talk to reticent parents, helping them feel welcome at school. Explains how to approach a sidewalk crowd, possible results of conferences, and what professionals can learn from off-the-record conferences. Suggests alternative ways to meet informally with parents to inform…

Describes On Board Early, a Baltimore program designed to increase family-school experiences that support children's success. Discusses such program features as specialized family involvement staff, a parents-as-teachers program, a family-centered approach to supporting the transition to school, and planning for long-term family involvement.…