Strong or Resilient Families

1a

those families who respond positively to a life stressor and emerge feeling strengthened, more resourceful, and more confident than before the life stressor.

1b

At-Risk Families

2a

these families display ineffective behaviors when faced with life adversities including, among others, a breakdown in family relationships and a fatalistic belief that things will never get better. At-risk families stand in opposition to strong or resilient families.

2b

Normative Stressors

3a

stressors that families experience during the family life cycle, like the death of a family member or a child entering school.

3b

Non-Normative Stressors

4a

stressors that are extreme and outside a family’s control, like natural disasters, discrimination, or living in high-crime neighborhoods.

4b

Strength’s Report

5a

teachers may add this to a report card to inform parents about their child’s positive social behaviors, unique interests, classroom contributions, and academic skills.

5b

Reframing

6a

restating comments so they are more realistic and empowering.

6b

Family Resource Centers

7a

empower families by providing them with their own space where they can read books, magazines, and other materials related to child development and childhood education. Family resource centers also contain educational materials and games that families can check out and work on at home with their children.

7b

Activity Folders

8a

these manila or other types of office folders are used to make inexpensive educational activities. Activity folders may be used in the classroom or a family resource center. They may also be sent home.

8b

Virtual Family Resource Center

9a

a web-based center that provides links to educational tips, games, and other information to assist families in supporting their children’s education.

9b

Family Portfolios

10a

similar to classroom portfolios in that both are used to collect samples of children’s work as documentation of their developmental and educational progress. In the case of family portfolios, children work with their parents rather than teachers to collect samples produced at home. The classroom and family portfolios can be shared during parent-teacher conferences.

10b

Thank-You Notes

11a

empower parents by acknowledging and honoring the contributions they make to their children’s development and education.

11b

Family Workshops

12a

empower families by providing them with opportunities to learn new information and develop new skills. There are at least three types of family workshops: informational, educational, and make-and-take workshops.

12b

Informational Workshops

13a

involve the delivery of factual information about topics related to childhood development and education, school policies, and health and safety issues.

13b

Educational Workshops

14a

focus on increasing parent’s knowledge and skills (e.g., GED and English as Second Language workshops).

14b

Make-and-Take Workshops

15a

parents make educational games and other instructional products for use at home.

15b

Random Acts of Kindness Awards

16a

recognize the contributions that parents’ make to their children’s well-being. Rather than being given for a specific contribution, like Thank-You Notes, these awards are randomly given throughout the year.

16b

Family Certificates

17a

these certificates, which can be given to parents at any time, honor parents’ commitment to their children’s education.

17b

Family Clubs

18a

formed among parents in a classroom or school who share similar interests or hobbies. Family clubs provide a venue in which parents can socialize and learn from each other. They can also lead to new learning opportunities for the classroom.

18b

Family Support Groups

19a

allow parents who are in a similar stressful situation to share their experiences, receive comfort, and feel empowered.

19b

Family Fun Nights

20a

social events where parents can relax, enjoy themselves, and get to know teachers and other families. Family fun nights can help facilitate family resiliency.

20b

Policy Briefing Updates

21a

used to inform families about early childhood polices. Policy updates can empower families to advocate for their children’s interests.

21b

Community Education Updates

22a

used to update families about new educational opportunities and family services in their town or city.

22b