Family Engagement

Supportive partnerships with families are a hallmark of high-quality early childhood programs. Children thrive when the adult relationships surrounding them are healthy and strong. The following resources are designed to inform and inspire early childhood educators, providers, and leaders in their work with young children and families in Wyoming. Professional learning opportunities and additional resources are available on this topic by contacting the WYECPLC Learning Specialists.

Featured Articles & Resources

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Principles Of Effective Family Engagement:

NAEYC

Child playing with slime; child playing with dough; family engagement
Hear our voices; engaging in partnerships that honor families; three generations; mom grandma and baby
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  • Look for upcoming learning opportunities focused on Family Engagement.

  • Choose a session from the Cowboy Conference Archive and complete a response for STARS credit.

Learning Opportunities

Must Read Books

Families and Educators Together: Building Great Relationships That Support Young Children by Derry Koralek Karen N. Nemeth Kelly Ramsey book cover
From Parents to Partners Building a Family-Centered Early Childhood Program Second Edition by Janis Keyser book cover
Rituals and Traditions: Fostering a Sense of Community in Preschool by Jacky Howell and Kimberly Reinhard book cover
Trauma-Responsive Family Engagement in Early Childhood: Practices for Equity and Resilience by Julie Kurtz and Julie Nicholson book cover
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Connections to Wyoming Resources

Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality

This resource, created by Wyoming educators, providers, and families, encourages reflection and conversation, leading to higher quality care and education for young children. When considering how to build partnerships with families, Chapter One tells us, “When the relationships and interactions are healthy and strong among the adults in the child’s life, the emotional climate supports a child’s well-being.” The Coherent Path to Quality, page 5

Use the simple rules, Stories from the Field, Examples from Wyoming, and Reflection Questions to spark conversations and generate new ways to strengthen relationships with children and families.

Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards

“Early learning standards are for anyone who touches the life of a young child. Children progress and acquire new skills constantly and across all settings.”

Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards, page 7

Knowing children meet standards across all settings and daily routines, sharing with families provides a more complete story of children’s learning.

How Can Standards Help?

  • Standards help adults strengthen relationships by offering a deeper understanding of children.

  • Standards help adults support routines by identifying key skills children are developing that allow them to engage in daily life with others.

  • Standards help adults support children’s play by providing appropriate expectations and guidance for observation, reflection, and learning with children.

Cowboy Conference Archive

  • Keynote: Trauma-Responsive Family Engagement Practices for Early Childhood Providers (September 24, 2021)

    Julie Kurtz and Julie Nicholson, authors and nationally recognized experts on trauma-responsive care and education.

  • The Power of Partnerships Building Bridges with Families

    Heather Kibler, Liz Goddard, and Tyler Gonzalez, Regional Facilitators

  • Elevating Family Voices

    Nikki Baldwin

  • Strengthening Family Partnerships Through Literacy (September 25, 2021)

    Taylor Dory Regional Facilitator Jenelle Bennett University of Wyoming Early Care and Education Center

Voices From the Village Podcast

  • Voices From Our Village: Season 3 Episode 2 DAP in Wyoming

    Sisters Janae Asay, Anna Sibbett, and Sarah Pence share their experiences in early childhood education and parenting.

WYECPLC Blog Posts

  • Relationships First! (March 8, 2022)

    Julie Eastes, Early Childhood Consultant

  • Watch Me Play and Grow! (June 30, 2021)

    Kelce Eckhardt, Regional Facilitator

  • A Thousand Days (April 5, 2021)

    Bonnie Hamilton, Parent and Educator Lander, Wyoming

  • Supporting Families Through Transitions Big and Small (October 15, 2020)

    Kara Cossel, Regional Facilitator

  • First Steps (September 13, 2020)

    Julie Eastes, Early Childhood Consultant

  • A Summer to Remember (June 12, 2020)

    Char Norris, Regional Facilitator

  • Great Expectations (May 15, 2020)

    Tyler Gonzalez, Regional Facilitator

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