Families in the Classroom

1. ©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

2. Why would teachers invite parents to participate
or observe in their classrooms?
 What would be some of the challenges of having
parents participate in children’s classrooms?
 What would be the contributions of parents in the
classroom?
 What is the teacher’s role when parents visit the
classroom?

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

3. Benefits for parents
 Benefits for teachers
 Benefits for children
 Children’s routines are interrupted
 Teachers feel uncomfortable being observed

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

4. 
Explore resources and classroom needs
◦ Names and ages of family members who have time
◦ Occupations
◦ Interests and hobbies

Encourage informal visits
©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

5. 
In order for parents to feel their contributions are
valued, teachers should avoid giving them all the
dirty tasks that they don’t want to do. What might
some of these be?
©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

6. 
Birthdays, tea parties, and other special occasions

Lunch invitations

Drop In and Read

Personal invitations
Parent observations
 Walking report cards—See our Success
 Zoo day

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

7. Information about
jobs
 Hobbies
 Culture and religion
 Extended family
contributions
 Assistance for
teachers

Time
 Materials
 Special skills
 Tutoring
 Field trips

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

8. [Insert fig. 10-17 here. Then add print]
 Create a sample work card for:

◦ Reading with toddlers
OR
◦ Cooking applesauce with a small group of 3’s
OR
◦ Working on planting with first graders.
©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

9. Welcoming attitude
 Help parents become comfortable
 Giving parents specific roles
 Using resources
 Express appreciation of parents’ contributions

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

10. Parents can make real contributions to children’s
classrooms, supporting teachers and learning
more about the educational process.
 Teachers need to define useful tasks and ways for
parents to be resources.
 Teachers have a role in sharing the classroom,
supporting parents and children at this special
time.

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.