Families, Schools and Communities : Working Together for Children

by Couchenour, Donna; Chrisman, Kent

• ISBN13: 9780766802575
• ISBN10: 0766802574
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-12-29
• Publisher: Thomson Delmar Learning

Summary

Discover how to put three major theories for partnering families and communities with schools into actual practice. People involved in early childhood education will appreciate this in-depth discussion of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory, the contextualist theory, and the family systems theory. In addition, this book includes many practical and current examples for forming these important partnerships in educational programs for children from birth to age eight.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Preface	xv
PART I: Understanding Families
A Theory-Based Approach to Family Involvement in Early Childhood Education	3	(18)
The Importance of Families in Children's Lives	4	(10)
Contextualist Theories	4	(2)
Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory	6	(3)
Vygotsky's Dialectical Theory	9	(1)
Family Systems Theory	10	(4)
Implications for Practice in Early Childhood Education	14	(3)
Guidelines for Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)	14	(1)
National Accreditation Guidelines	15	(1)
Family Support Movement	16	(1)
Summary and Conclusions	17	(1)
Key Terms	17	(1)
Applications	18	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	18	(1)
Field Assignments	19	(1)
References	19	(2)
Understanding Family Diversity	21	(28)
Systems Theories and Family Differences	22	(1)
Ways in Which Families Are Different	23	(19)
Ethnicity, Race, and Culture	23	(5)
Economic Differences in Families	28	(3)
Gender Role Identity	31	(8)
Families and Religiosity	39	(2)
Geographic Region	41	(1)
Application to Early Childhood Education Programs	42	(2)
Celebrating Diversity	42	(1)
Inclusiveness	43	(1)
Ethical Considerations	44	(1)
Relating These Factors to Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)	44	(1)
Accreditation Guidelines	44	(1)
Family Support Principles	44	(1)
Summary and Conclusions	45	(1)
Key Terms	45	(1)
Applications	45	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	45	(1)
Field Assignments	46	(1)
References	46	(3)
Developmental Issues in Families with Young Children	49	(22)
Theoretical Foundation	50	(2)
Bioecological Theory	50	(1)
Family Systems Theory	51	(1)
Family Issues	52	(14)
Transition to Parenthood	52	(1)
Sibling Relationships	53	(3)
Work and Family	56	(5)
Child Care	61	(1)
Extended Family Relationships	62	(4)
Practical and Ethical Considerations	66	(1)
Family Support Principles	66	(1)
Code of Ethical Conduct	66	(1)
Summary and Conclusions	67	(1)
Key Terms	67	(1)
Applications	67	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	68	(1)
Field Assignments	68	(1)
References	68	(3)
Family Strengths, Family Functions, and Family Structure	71	(22)
Introduction	72	(4)
Defining Family Strengths, Functions, and Structure	72	(2)
Bioecological Theory	74	(1)
Family Systems Theory	74	(2)
Family Strengths	76	(2)
What Makes a Family Strong?	76	(1)
What Factors Support Family Strengths?	77	(1)
Resilient Children	77	(1)
Family Functions	78	(4)
Historical and Contemporary Purposes of Families	78	(2)
Causes of Change in Family Functions	80	(1)
Family Law	81	(1)
Family Structure	82	(3)
Variations in Family Form	82	(2)
The Meaning of Birth Order	84	(1)
Application of Chapter Information	85	(4)
Family Support	85	(1)
Early Childhood Programs	86	(1)
Partnership for Family Involvement in Education	86	(3)
Summary and Conclusions	89	(1)
Key Terms	89	(1)
Applications	89	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	90	(1)
Field Assignments	90	(1)
References	91	(2)
Parenting	93	(24)
Bioecological Theory	94	(2)
What Affects Parenting?	94	(1)
Microsystem Effects	95	(1)
Exosystem and Macrosystem Effects	95	(1)
Chronosystem Effects	95	(1)
Various Ways to Parenthood	96	(5)
Biological	96	(1)
Blended Families	97	(1)
Adoption	97	(2)
Grandparents As Parents	99	(2)
High-Tech Alternatives	101	(1)
Responsibilities of Parenthood	101	(4)
Financial	101	(1)
Nurturance and Child Care	102	(2)
Attachment and Socialization	104	(1)
Building and Maintaining Relationships	104	(1)
Character Education and Spirituality	104	(1)
Collaborating with Societal Institutions	105	(1)
Ways of Parenting	105	(3)
Authoritative	105	(1)
Permissive	106	(1)
Authoritarian	107	(1)
Mothers and Fathers	108	(1)
Differences in Parenting	108	(1)
Capabilities of Mothers and Fathers	108	(1)
Parenting Beliefs	109	(3)
Child Development and the Role of Children in Families	109	(2)
Interactions with Early Childhood Educators	111	(1)
Summary and Conclusions	112	(1)
Key Terms	113	(1)
Applications	113	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	114	(1)
Field Assignments	114	(1)
References	114	(3)
Family Stress	117	(30)
Family Systems Theory	118	(1)
The Circumplex Model and Family Coping	118	(1)
Horizontal Stressors	119	(1)
Families and Unpredictable Stressors	119	(20)
Family Violence	119	(1)
High Level of Conflict Inherent to Family Life	119	(1)
Gender and Age Differences	119	(1)
Involuntary Membership	120	(1)
Family Privacy	120	(1)
Increasing Conflict Leads to Violence	120	(1)
Gender Inequality	120	(1)
Society's Sanction of Violence	121	(1)
Early Training in Family Violence	121	(1)
Multiple Causes	121	(1)
A Particular Form of Family Violence: Child Abuse	121	(5)
Resources for Information about Child Abuse and Neglect	126	(2)
Substance Abuse in Families	128	(1)
Homeless Families	129	(1)
Resources for Working with Homeless Families	130	(1)
Families and Children with Disabilities	131	(4)
Families and Children with Serious Illness	135	(3)
Immigrant Families	138	(1)
The Role of Early Childhood Educators	139	(1)
Summary and Conclusions	140	(1)
Key Terms	140	(1)
Applications	140	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	141	(1)
Field Assignments	141	(1)
References	141	(6)
PART II: Practice
A Family-Based Philosophy in Early Childhood Education	147	(28)
Rationale for a Family-Based Philosophy in Early Childhood Education	148	(7)
The Example Set by Head Start	149	(2)
Families in a Democracy	151	(1)
Rights and Responsibilities of Parents	152	(1)
Continuity	152	(1)
From Home to School	152	(1)
Transitions during the Day	152	(3)
Transitioning from Preschool to Kindergarten	155	(1)
Family Support	155	(3)
Responsibilities of Home and School	155	(2)
Empowering Parents	157	(1)
Linking Parents and Teachers	158	(2)
Parents as Consumers of Children's Education	158	(1)
Supporting School Policy and Families	159	(1)
A Framework for School, Family, and Community Partnerships	160	(2)
National Standards from the PTA	162	(1)
Professionalism in Family-Based Early Education	163	(1)
Embracing Diversity	164	(4)
Observing and Appreciating Differences	164	(2)
Anti-bias Curriculum	166	(2)
Understanding That Many Ways of Relating to Children Can Serve Them Well	168	(1)
Evaluating the Family Involvement Component in Early Education	168	(3)
Summary and Conclusions	171	(1)
Key Terms	172	(1)
Applications	172	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	172	(1)
Field Assignments	172	(1)
References	173	(2)
Family-Staff Relationships	175	(26)
Building Relationships	176	(4)
Attitudes	176	(2)
Practices	178	(1)
Written Communication	178	(1)
Communication In-Person	178	(2)
Ongoing Communication	180	(15)
One-Way Communication	180	(1)
Newsletters	180	(1)
Notes	181	(1)
Announcements	182	(1)
Daily Information Sheets	182	(1)
Two-Way Communication	183	(1)
Planned Conferences	184	(1)
Unplanned Conferences	185	(1)
Phone Calls	186	(1)
Journaling	187	(1)
Electronic Mail	188	(1)
Home Visits	188	(1)
Effective Interpersonal Communication	189	(1)
Active Listening	189	(1)
Reflecting	190	(1)
I-Messages and We-Messages	190	(2)
Nonverbal Communication	192	(1)
Guidelines for Giving and Receiving Criticism	193	(2)
Assertiveness versus Aggression	195	(1)
Conflict Resolution	195	(2)
Some Ineffective and Inappropriate Practices to Avoid in Interpersonal Communication	196	(1)
Helpful Attitudes for Effective Interpersonal Communication	196	(1)
Summary and Conclusions	197	(1)
Key Terms	197	(1)
Applications	197	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	198	(1)
Field Assignments	198	(1)
References	199	(2)
Parent Education and Family Life Education	201	(30)
Bioecological Theory	202	(1)
Philosophy about Programs of Parent Education	203	(6)
Assessing Needs and Effects	204	(3)
Format of Programs	207	(2)
Methods of Parent Education	209	(9)
Parent Education Packages	209	(2)
Parent Education Books	211	(5)
Parents As Teachers (PAT)	216	(1)
Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)	217	(1)
Family Life Education	218	(1)
The Role of Early Childhood Educators in Parent Education and Family Life Education	219	(8)
Six Topics for Parent Education	220	(1)
Topic One: The Value of Play for Young Children	220	(2)
Topic Two: What Is Developmentally Appropriate Practice?	222	(1)
Topic Three: Positive Guidance	223	(1)
Topic Four: Limiting Television	224	(1)
Topic Five: Homework	225	(1)
Topic Six: Healthy Sexuality Development	226	(1)
Summary and Conclusions	227	(1)
Key Terms	227	(1)
Applications	228	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	228	(1)
Field Assignments	228	(1)
References	228	(3)
Early Childhood Educators in the Community	231	(34)
Bioecological Theory	232	(1)
Community Involvement in Early Childhood Education	233	(4)
Local School Boards	233	(1)
Reasons to Encourage Family Involvement in Local School Boards	234	(1)
Boards of Trustees and Advisory Boards	235	(2)
Caring Communities	237	(1)
Referring Children for Additional or Varying Services	238	(1)
Program Models	239	(7)
Head Start	239	(2)
Comer Schools	241	(1)
Early Intervention	241	(1)
Other Models	241	(1)
Instructional Support Teams	241	(3)
United Way's Focus on Our Future	244	(2)
Interdisciplinary Collaboration	246	(1)
Benefits	246	(1)
Challenges	246	(1)
Family-Centered Interprofessional Collaboration	246	(1)
The Business Community	247	(1)
Professionalism in Early Childhood Education	248	(2)
Knowledge Base	248	(1)
Continuing Professional Development	248	(1)
Community Update	248	(2)
Summary and Conclusions	250	(1)
Key Terms	251	(1)
Applications	251	(1)
Questions for Reflection and Discussion	251	(1)
Field Assignments	251	(1)
References	251	(2)
Case Studies	253	(12)
Appendix A: Web Sites for Professional Development	265	(2)
Appendix B: NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment	267	(8)
Appendix C: National Academy of Early Childhood Programs Accreditation Criteria	275	(2)
Appendix D: National Education Goals	277	(2)
Appendix E: Professional Preparation Guidelines for Early Childhood Education	279	(12)
Appendix F: NAEYC Position Statement on Child Abuse Prevention	291	(10)
Glossary	301	(4)
Index	305