10307261ECE: Building on the Assets of Families and Cultures
Course Information
Description
Students will learn about how to build on the assets of diverse families. They will learn how to engage families while respecting their different backgrounds, welcome families and solicit their involvement so teachers and families can work collaboratively in the best interest of their child. Year Developed - 2019. Developed by University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. The Registry grants permission to all WI institutions of higher education to use these materials.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Develop an understanding of the diversity within family structures and communities, and the implications of changes within this diversity for child care programs and communities.
    Assessment Strategies
    Reflection, Interview
    Criteria
    Recognize the various family structures children might live within, and the importance of identify for families.
    Consider implications for early childhood educators in working with children from diverse family structures and diverse populations.
    Interpret the meaning and implications of changing demographics locally and nationally.

  2. Utilize an asset/strength-based lens when describing families from varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
    Assessment Strategies
    Reflection, Required Artifact - Family Intake Sheet
    Criteria
    Understand what it means to use an asset or strength-based lens to view families of all types.
    Utilize research-based strategies to understand the various ecological structures supporting children's lives.
    Develop a personal vision and plan to ensure families are seen through an asset-based lens, rather than judged.

  3. View trusting relationships as the first step toward building partnerships and increasing involvement of families in the program.
    Assessment Strategies
    Family Bill of Rights, Journal
    Criteria
    Develop a research-based rationale for building trust between early childhood providers and families from diverse populations.
    Identify barriers to building trusting relationships with families.
    Suggest strategies to overcome these barriers.

  4. Recognize and support the rich opportunities families have to support children's learning through real-life experiences and opportunities in their homes and communities.
    Assessment Strategies
    Reflection, Paper, Interview
    Criteria
    Critically reflect on the meaning of family engagement and the lens through which one is defining it.
    Identify the inequalities that may prevent or get in the way of family engagement.
    Challenge the systems standing in the way of families wishing to engage in meaningful ways.
    Create opportunities for families to engage in ways meaningful to them.

  5. Develop research-based strategies for creating classroom environments and a program level culture that sees the strength in all family types.
    Assessment Strategies
    Reflection, Journal
    Criteria
    Reflect on how personal family experiences, culture and religion impact how family is defined and viewed.
    Consider the ways in which center policies and procedures might unintentionally reflect biases toward non-normative family structures and families from divergent origins and create ways to make these more inclusive and supportive.
    Intentionally include opportunities for children to see varying family structures and types reflected in the classroom, so all families see themselves and learn about others.

  6. Rethink the meaning of and create family engagement opportunities accessible for all families.
    Assessment Strategies
    Interview, Journal, Required Artifact – Family Collaboration Program
    Criteria
    Recognize the many challenges families experience related to their involvement in their child’s care and the program providing that care.
    Develop strategies for helping families overcome challenges to becoming involved in their child’s classroom and care program.
    Plan opportunities to collaborate with and learn from and with families.

  7. Establish a culture of equality and partnership with families rather than power and control.
    Assessment Strategies
    Reflection
    Criteria
    Reimagine the teacher-family relationship as a partnership.
    Develop strategies for encouraging collaboration and establishing family partnerships.
    Implement policies and practices that build and strengthen partnerships between teachers and families.
    Redress the power imbalances in the parent-provider dynamic.

  8. Empower teachers and families with the skills and strategies needed to advocate on behalf of and develop mutually beneficial partnerships with families, within and outside the child care program or school.
    Assessment Strategies
    Reflection, Advocacy Toolkit
    Criteria
    Recognize inequities impacting the daily lives of children and families, within the program/school and in the communities, families reside in.
    Seek mutually beneficial partnerships with community stakeholders and organizations on behalf of children and families from minority cultures.
    Consider own sphere of influence for partnership and advocacy, as well as what stands in your way toward action.
    Support teachers and families in developing an advocacy toolkit, to be used to try and eradicate the inequities impacting children and families.