Activity Kits Improve Family Engagement

AUTHOR: LIZ HAYWOOD

Region 10 ESC Family Engagement Consultant

REGION 10 Education Service Center, in partnership with local independent school districts, has served children and their families through Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) for more than 25 years. The program is federally funded to provide services to HS/EHS children and families living in districts located within the Region 10 service area. Classrooms are located in school districts and are staffed by certified teachers and trained instructional aides. Staff members and children represent a variety of cultures and backgrounds so children receive an added benefit of becoming familiar with a range of holidays, customs, and family activities.

Families and staff work together to support the high-quality educational and developmental programs that help prepare children to succeed in school. Parents provide their support through Parent Committees, Advisory Committees, and Policy Council, and are valued as participants and volunteers.

Research indicates that children do better in school when parents are engaged in their education. Staff facilitates a variety of activities throughout the year to encourage father and family engagement.

Over the past year, many of our district partners restricted parents from entering schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic and new safety procedures. Despite the restrictions, HS/EHS continues to provide quality services to children and families. Family Resource Specialists consistently communicate with families through phone calls, email messages, and virtual visits to provide services and to convey empathy, caring, and interest in their well-being.

Love and Logic parenting classes continue at centers but are now virtual, which provides an opportunity for parents to continue learning effective parenting skills. Parents learn how to build a trusting and safe home environment where children are cared for and loved. Last fall, the staff received outstanding training from Dr. Charles Fay, Chief Executive Officer of Love and Logic Institute. The purpose was to strengthen staff skills in applying Love and Logic principles with the children we serve.

Involved fathers and other positive male role models make a significant impact on children building a long-lasting foundation for children’s success. Research has shown that children do better in school when there is a positive male influence who is actively engaged in a child’s life. In addition to this influence, children have fewer behavioral issues, and better grades, social skills and health. Involved and affectionate fathers contribute to children’s sense of self-confidence and well-being.

Last fall, a new initiative was implemented to encourage father and family engagement, and help eliminate barriers that may have prevented parents from engaging in family activities especially during the COVID pandemic. Through a collaboration with Mike Hall of Strong Fathers- Strong Families LLC, YouTube videos in English and Spanish were developed. The goal of the videos is to encourage family engagement and promote children’s learning and development. As a delivery platform to families, Hall created an unlisted YouTube channel specifically branded for Region 10 Head Start.

Each month until the end of the school year, a new video with printable instructions is developed and sent to families. Because of the low socioeconomic status of the majority of families served, and to help ease the expense of purchasing supplies, all families also received a complimentary supply kit. The kits contained most of the supplies with the intent to make it easier for families to participate.

The wide variety of activities provide a fun way for children to learn math, science, and literacy skills. Parent/child participation in the activities help strengthen the parent/ child relationship. Even though the hands-on activities are designed with an emphasis on father engagement, other family members are encouraged to participate. Over the past several months, families have enjoyed educational activities including:

• Straw Rockets

• Word Bags

• Math Games with Cards and Dice

• Alphabet Book

• Math Games with Dominoes

It’s the small moments that matter and count when fathers and other positive male role models spend time with children. These moments add up and create immeasurable positive outcomes that make a tremendous difference in the lives of children.