Building relationships with families helps us to understand a child’s environment and how that child experiences the world. It is within the family that a child learns how to approach people and situations, as well as self-regulate and interact with others.

There are many ways to communicate and build relationships with families, from newsletters and notices to personal conversation during hellos and goodbyes. Face-to-face communication is one of the best ways to form and build relationships with families. Face-toface communication involves listening, speaking, and body language, and the way you begin conversations and communicate with families can enhance a relationship or build barriers.

Take time to practice your communication with families and list different ways you can start conversations with each family you support. Below is an example: