Promising Practices for Partnering with Families in the Early Years

Research to Practice in Family Partnerships

This volume is directed toward research to practice issues related to partnering with families of children birth through age 5. This monograph and the next monograph focuses on family and school involvement issues in two age categories. This sixth volume analyzes family involvement practices across a variety of settings and programs at the early childhood level. The seventh monograph in this series addresses research and practices related to family–school issues in middle and secondary schools. The chapters address, to varying degrees, five themes based on the principles of familycentered partnerships:

Principles of Family-Centered Partnerships

1. Recognizing and respecting one another’s knowledge and expertise;

2. Sharing information through two-way communication;

3. Sharing power and decision making;

4. Acknowledging and respecting diversity; and

5. Creating networks of support

The monograph supports the accomplishment of these goals as a whole by providing important insights about exemplary programs and promising practices, informed by current research. Also it highlights policies and theoretical perspectives relevant to these aims. Individual chapters offer a variety of practical strategies and recommendations that families, early childhood practitioners, policymakers, and researchers can use to enhance their knowledge and strengthen their skills for partnering effectively.