Standard 2

NAEYC Standard: STANDARD 2. BUILDING FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that successful early childhood education depends upon partnerships with children’s families and communities. They a) know about, understand, and value the importance and complex characteristics of children’s families and communities. They use this understanding to b) create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and c) to involve all families in their children’s development and learning (NAEYC, 2010).

 

Brief Description of Evidence: During the summer semester of 2019 in ECED 204-Families in Transition, I created a Family Case Study and Resource Kit for a certain family. After showing my competence in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, I then chose a family to do the case study over. After I chose my family, I made a questionnaire for my family, so I could learn more about them. I then learned what hardships this family faced, and what strengths they had. With the hardships, I created 3 different resources to help them out. In the end, I created the whole case study and resource kits based on the family’s strengths and hardships.

 

Analysis of What I Learned: During this project, I learned that not all families function the same way. Many go through hardships you are not aware of. It has made me more sympathetic and understanding towards the families of my students. Being respectful towards each family’s struggle is very important. As a teacher we should support and empower families. I learned that according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, children need love and acceptance. That is why I gave them many resources to make their lives easier so they can give their children and love and reassurance they need. I plan on making resources for my students’ families this school year. 

 

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

My competence in building family and community relationships has been proven by me getting to know my family this semester. I learned their strengths as a family, their goals for their children, and hardships they face on a day to day basis. I was able to help improve their hardships by providing them with multiple family resources. This family struggled with time management, organization, and alone time for the parents. I provided them with tips on organizing and time management, and a “date jar”. I also provided resources for the family on things to do in the community.