These handouts are tools provided in the SEEDS Framework that offer tips and strategies for families to support their children's development at home. They are specifically designed to:
- Mirror the SEEDS approach: The advice given in the letters aligns with the practices used in the classroom.
- Cover key developmental areas: The letters include guidance on how families can support each of the Big 5 Early Literacy Predictors (oral language and vocabulary, book and print awareness, alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, and writing).
- Address social skills: The letters also provide insights into supporting children’s social skills and self-regulation.
- Offer practical prompts: Each letter includes conversation prompts and actionable ideas for families to engage with their children.
- Support diverse learners: They are available in English and Spanish to accommodate multilingual families.
Family engagement is fundamental to a child’s success in school and life, with research showing improvements in health, well-being, cognitive/academic skills, and social skills, as well as decreases in problem behavior. By using these letters, you can:
- Boost literacy and language skills: Families who talk about objects, read daily, ask questions, and talk about letters contribute to children’s increased reading, conversation skills, and vocabulary.
- Promote a positive self-image as a learner: Encouraging children to write helps them see themselves as writers and get ready for school.
- Reinforce classroom learning: When families understand what is being taught, they are better equipped to reinforce those skills at home, including through conversation, stories, songs, and routines in their home language.
How to Use the Families Make a Difference! letters to inform instruction and partnerships:
- Share regularly: Distribute the Families Make a Difference! letters with families consistently.
- Integrate with a broader partnership approach: Remember that these letters are one of many tools within the SEEDS Framework that support meaningful family engagement. Building strong partnerships is a dynamic and multifaceted process that extends beyond simply distributing a letter.
- Facilitate two-way communication: Use these letters as a starting point for dialogue. The SEEDS Framework encourages reciprocal communication in which families and educators share knowledge and perspectives about the child. Ask families how they would like to engage and welcome their strengths and contributions.
- Emphasize reinforcement, not just information: Explain to families how reinforcing these concepts at home, even in their home language, can significantly support their child’s learning journey.
By thoughtfully sharing and discussing the Families Make a Difference! letters, you can empower families to become active partners in their child’s early learning, creating a supportive and continuous learning environment that extends beyond the classroom.