Family-centered practice is a set of beliefs and actions that influence how we engage families. Take another look below on the beliefs and actions of family-centered practice. In the space to the right of each, record your thoughts and ideas of how to incorporate this philosophy into your school-age program.

1. Families are the most important decision-makers in a child’s life.

   • We learn about families’ ideas and preferences.
   • We provide choices in programming.
   • We involve families in program leadership.
   • We involve families in decision-making.

   • Establish and maintain ongoing communication with families throughout the school year
   • Provide multiple opportunities for families to learn about their child’s program
   • Involve families in advisory groups

    
2. Families are unique and their differences enrich our programs.

   • We honor and respect diversity.
   • We involve all the important people in a child’s life.
   • We engage and involve families.
   • We develop responsive and reciprocal relationships.
   • We represent families in our programs.

   • Provide opportunities for families to participate or volunteer in programming
   • Invite family members to come observe in the program
   • Include materials in programs that reflect diversity
   • Invite families in the program to share their traditions, food, customs, and language
   • Make sure posters and materials in the program do not portray stereotypical images of individuals or groups of people 

    
3. Families are resilient.

   • We learn about families’ strengths, needs, and circumstances.
   • We connect families with resources.
   • We build families’ strengths.

   • Provide opportunities for families to get to know one another; for example, through a family night
   • Introduce family members to each other as they drop off or pick up their children
   • Provide information about community events that families can attend

    
4. Families are central to development and learning.

   • We share information with families.
   • We listen to families.
   • We view families as their child’s first teacher.
   • We respect families’ expertise about their child.

   • Share information with families about child and adolescent development
   • Ask families questions about their child

    
5. Families are our partners.

   • We use respectful, responsive, and two-way communication.
   • We reach out to families.
   • We involve families in all aspects of our program.

   • Use a variety of ways to communicate with families in the program (meetings, phone, email)
   • Ask open-ended questions