Assignment: Building Understanding and Respecting Families.

Given the increase in heterogeneity among families in early childhood settings and the closeness with which families need to work together, this week has focused on the thoughtful implementation of communication strategies that help foster respectful and supportive relationships.

Single-parent families
Blended and extended families
Adoptive families

For each type of family you have selected, complete the following:

Consider the various resources that you might draw on to develop a deeper understanding about the specific challenges faces by this type of family including stereotypes/misconceptions held by society in general or at individual levels. Conduct a brief investigation by looking for a local and/or national organizations, support groups, publications, and online resources that might be available to expand awareness about this kind of family. Take note of the resources that you feel would be particularly helpful to teachers committed to anti-bias work and effective early childhood practice. For each resource, indicate whether it would be helpful to early professionals, families, or both. Justify your ideas.

*Based on the textbook reading for this week, Derman-Sparks,L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C. National Association for the Education for Young Children ((NAEYC). Chapter 9. "Learning about Family Structures and Fairness," and additional resources, summarize your insights.

*List at least three key strategies that might be used to help adults and/or children understand each other''s families with more respect.

*For this assignment, write an essay in which you address all of the components listed above for each of the three family types you selected.

At the conclusion of your essay, summarize your findings as detailed above, including a reflective section that responds to the following questions:

*What insights have you gained this week with regard to specific categories of families that foster your anti-bias work with adults and children.

*What misconception or assumption of yours, if any, were dispelled.

*What resources did you find invaluable?

*What qualities and skills do you already possess that might help you to positively support and communicate with every child''s unique family?