Engaging families through observation and reflection: a collaborative approach to making learning visible

ABSTRACT

Early childhood education is based on the assertion that young children are better prepared for school and life when educators and parents work together on their behalf. Family engagement is a central force in the education of young children, yet research suggests that parents and teachers often do not collaborate, and this can have an adverse impact on young children’s learning outcomes. This brief explores a new observation approach, referred to as Journey of Discoveries, to examine its influence on family engagement and its potential use as a collaborative tool for educators and parents to gauge children’s learning and development. Journey of Discoveries was tested with volunteer families and teachers in three select Early Head Start programs in California in 2014–2015. Responses from participants illustrated seven themes or potential pathways emerging from the approach that support family engagement, including: (a) teachers’ and parents’ celebration of children’s learning, (b) emotional responses to children’s learning, (c) importance of sharing learning as stories, (d) process of reflection, (e) holistic viewing of children’s learning, (f) the honoring of diverse voices, and (g) parents’ roles as leaders. The practical and policy implications of the Journey of Discoveries approach are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Early Head Start
• family engagement
• learning stories
• Journey of Discoveries
• teachers
• observation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Annie White, Ed.D. is an assistant professor with the Early Childhood Studies program at California State University Channel Islands and holds a doctorate in Leadership in Education from University of California, Davis and Sonoma State University. Dr. White has 18 years of work experience with low-income families, holding such roles as home visitor, family advocate, child development specialist, curriculum and training specialist, and Early Head Start Childcare Partnership Manager. Her research interests include formative assessments, learning stories, family engagement, and school readiness.

ORCID

Annie White http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8784-4887