Strengthening Your Connection to Parents

Lets talk about the many ways you can stay connected to parents. Staying connected means more than just saying "good morning" or "good evening." Sometimes, it means going that extra maile to keep the connection. How about adding just a little more flavor to the pot to make parents feel special? Here are some easy tips that will improve the communication and the relationship with parents.

• Support the parent by providing them with resources and information within the community. With today's economy, you could have some parents experiencing financial struggles. Encourage them to use free programs and resources like the library, where they can use a computer free of charge: or help them get in touch with their local child care resource and referral agency where parents can get additional resurces and helpful information about programs for them.
• Manintain a comfortable environment by providing a healthy, safe, nurturing and comfortable place for parents. You can do this by providing a comfy chair with a pillow or a blanket. How about adding interesting reading materials such as exciting books, cookbooks, or magazines.
• Encourage families to bring family portraits and tell stories about the pictures. Ask your families to bring in family recipes to share with other families, and have a potluck when you meet with parents.
• Help the parent improve relationships with their child by encouraging them to read to their child, do arts and crafts, cooking, or active games together.
• Always share any changes in your program.

These simple tips can help you strengthen the connection you already have with your families. Try thinking of other ways to strengthen this bond and ask them for their ideas, too.