10.5: Engaging Families
- Page ID
- 254273
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Engaging Families
- Share stories about when they were babies and how they grew and changed.
- Share ideas about the many ways people can be the same and different.
- Model constructive coping strategies when frustrated.
- Wonder aloud about how a book character might feel and why.
- Help children find a balance between vigorous activity and calm and focused times.
- Have conversations with children about things they think, plan, and do.
- Encourage children to work out a disagreement with a sibling or friend by suggesting ideas for solving the problem. Remind children to consider each other’s needs and feelings as they choose a solution to try. Stay close by to help children as they practice using words to resolve a conflict.
- Ask children for help with household chores or projects. While working together, discuss some things each person can do to help the family.
- Emphasize to children the family’s values regarding cooperation, teamwork, good manners, and kindness toward others.
- Start a special good-bye ritual to use with a preschool child every day. A predictable routine is reassuring and makes the transition easier.
- Find at least a few minutes every day to spend special time with each child (e.g., reading a book, running an errand, completing a chore together).
- Recognize that opportunities out of school to play with other children build positive social skills. [9]


