Dear Family Friend,

Families truly are the life force of our programs, and family engagement is something we are all constantly striving to improve. We know that our families are unique, and we balance varying priorities when it comes to their participation in early learning programs. To increase family involvement, it is helpful to include the families in the overall planning process. Start with some key questions:

• Which days and times would work best for you?
• What types of activities would you and your children enjoy?
• What talents or skills can you offer to the planning process or the event itself?

Often, parents and caregivers have very clear ideas about what would be enjoyable for both themselves and their children. Including feedback and input from the families will also help give them a sense of ownership and involvement, making your events more meaningful and boosting the likelihood that folks will actually attend.

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We tend to plan events that meet the director’s goals or the center’s goals. This vision is what we know, and it is what we know how to do. Instead, lead with these questions: Who are our families? What cultures are represented in our population? Are there any barriers to celebrating together that we need to address? Also, keep restrictions minimal; aim to welcome grandmas and aunties, foster brothers and cousins—family means something different to all of us, so let’s create space for all of the combinations and variations of family that exist within our programs.

After the first fun event, host another. This is not a one-and-done situation! Build trust and friendship with families over time. Let your school be a source of engagement, kindness and community. Consider events that engage families in focused projects—planting a pollinator garden, deep cleaning classrooms, menu planning and cooking for picnics, reorganizing supplies, and so on. These shared work days are another fantastic way of building relationships and community.

Finally, meet your families where they are. Life can be busy and stressful—we all know this. Offer a wide variety of events throughout the year, including some that require little planning on the part of staff and little time investment from families. Even if you are not quite ready to host an epic fundraiser or a STEM game night, you can open a box of popsicles for sharing on the playground.

With contributions from Alexandra Green, Athena Skliros, Lori Harris and Dianna Hill