Engaging with Parents in Early Years Settings
- Dianne Jackson - Charles Sturt University, Australia
- Martin Needham - Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
'It is inspiring to see a text which attempts to shift our worldview. This shift could give us the chance to achieve more open, inclusive, democratic early childhood practice that has the capacity to answer the deeper questions and which sees both parents and children as powerful and positive agents in their own futures'
- Chris Pascal and Tony Bertram, Directors of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC)
The role of parents in the early years is fundamental. In order to achieve the best outcomes for children, mutually beneficial relationships between parents and practitioners need to underpin children’s care and learning.
There are many services for children and many different settings in which care and education can take place. Whether you work in children’s centres, outreach and dual-focused services, preschools, kindergartens or schools this book will help you develop the skills and strategies to work alongside parents whatever your role.
Focussing on:
- The importance of involving parents
- The nature of learning
- How to engage and build relationships with parents
- How to reflect on and develop shared learning environment in settings
- Transitions and attachment
This book has examples taken from real settings and practical advice to help you put the ideas into practice. Reading and using it will help ensure the wellbeing and development of all children in your care.
Dianne Jackson is an Adjunct Fellow at the University of Western Sydney and the CEO of Connect Child and Family Services
Martin Needham is Academic Division Leader: Education, Professional and Community Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University
Brilliant and detailed account of the topic
The text gives practical ways in which practitioners can work effectively with parents. The text links to the work of others which can be used for extended reading.
Engaging and contemporary insight which might inform and inspire practitioners in the early years.
Excellent coverage on a topic we need to consider in more depth.
Excellent text when discussing key concepts of partnership with FdA learners
This is an excellent book for extending thinking in relation to working with parents. The book is well written and clearly laid out. It makes easy and interesting reading for undergraduate students.
Working with parents and carers and understanding how to work in partnership is necessary for any prospective Early Years practitioner. This book offers an insight into importance of collaboration and valuing children as learners. I will be using it to support my teaching and encouraging students to use it as a key text.
Excellent text book, comprehensive, engaging and up to date information about working in partnership with parents. I used it last week with students and it was reviewed as a refreshing and interesting look at the concept.
Excellent resource for those working in early years settings and Children's Centres
The collaboration between Dianne Jackson and Martin Needham offers a useful comparison of dual-focused groups of parents, families and practitioners from both Australia and England.
In teaching a module on 'Partnership with Parents' within the Foundation Degree in Children's Development and Learning, this book complements the existing reading list by covering pertinent subjects such as, 'The value of practitioners being with children and parents together;' & 'Children learning in collaboration with Adults.'
A key idea is presented with each new chapter and an overview given. Case studies are presented as examples, along with ideas for reflective activities which would challenge students to reflect on their own practice, a key skill on which the Foundation Degree focuses.
I shall certainly use ideas from the book within my lectures to put forward the benefits of practice that involves developing and encouraging joint activities between practitioners, parents and the children.
In addition there are chapters that could be useful to other modules such as the influence of learning environments within the module of 'Learning Spaces.'
A well-presented, easy to access, stimulating read.
Sample Materials & Chapters
Free chapter - The value of practitioners being with children and parents togeth
