Understanding and Collaborating with Families
Many collaboration approaches have been devised, implemented, and studied over the past half-century. With shifts in priorities and technological advances, the details about how early care and education programs connect with families continue to change and evolve. But in general the emphasis and goals have been to promote mutually inclusive, collaborative, and productive relationships (Gestwicki, 2004). When teachers understand the cultural context and dynamics of families, they can use that knowledge to create opportunities and encourage family involvement in their children’s learning.