Parents and teachers as partners : issues and challenges

As a child's first caregiver and teacher, a parent has both the right and the responsibility to be involved in the child's formal education. Early childhood programs need to begin to involve parents in the education of their children. It has never been possible to help children grow and develop without the mutual respect and cooperation between home and school. Today, this cooperation is more important than ever in children's achievement. Comprehensive yet practical, this textbook offers many strategies for working with families from diverse backgrounds or those who have children with special needs; communicating via written and oral means; organizing parent group meetings, conferences, and home visits; and utilizing support systems, including volunteers and community networks.