CHAPTER 12: WORKING WITH FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

Required: Activity 1 and 2

1. Collect regular newsletters from several programs of early care and education. Are their grammar and spelling accurate and is it free from professional jargon? Are any illustrations respectful (rather than "cute") and do they show diversity? Categorize their content as being:

• Announcements about the program

• Information about new books, music, toys, Internet sites and software, and community events for children and families

• Reprints of articles of interest to families with young children

• Ideas for activities the family may enjoy

• Future plans for the program

• Recipies from classroom cooking activities

• Words to favorite songs and fingerplays

• Updates on staff changes and profiles of staff and families

• Notes of apprecitation to family and community volunteers

Decide if this balance between program-specific and general information is about right, or make recommendations about how this newsletter might better link families and programs.

2. Create a family-friendly brochure or newsletter. It should:

• Summarize child development targeting a particular age AND a specific domain of development

• Recommend specific activities or materials to enhance children's learning, growth, and development in this developmental domain.

• Provide Internet addresses for 2 family-friendly websites with information about development in this particular developmental domain if appropriate for the target population of families

Projects will be evaluated on:

• The accuracy and completeness of the information it includes

• If their work avoids professional jargon, includes no spelling or punctuation errors, and if it is clear and easy to understand

• Their brochure's eye-appeal including age-appropriate illustrations that reflect diversity and respect for children.