Parent, Family and Community Engagement

Parent, Family and Community Engagement

·       Why involvement opportunities for parents and family members benefit young children, families, and the early childhood field

Giving parents opportunities to volunteer in the classroom not only give them a peace of mind, but it also gives the child confidence to engage with other children and their teachers. it also helps children to feel supported. Learning about nutritional values of food and how to become creative when fixing meals is also a benefit for families. The opportunity of educational training for parents and family/activity night helps them to network with other parents and build a community with their Head Start center.

·       The value that hearing such stories has for early childhood professionals, for the public, and for policymakers and government officials

Early childhood professionals believe that children should be able to explore uninhibited to develop creativity and an imagination. In the stories told by former Head Start participants dreaming and imagination is mentioned often, and I believe it is because of the foundation laid for them as children. This is not only valuable, but rewarding.