Core Competencies for Early Childhood
Professionals:
Families and Communities
Early childhood professionals understand that children are members of a family and a community. They value both the diversity of and their unique relationships with children, families, and communities. All early childhood education professionals work in partnership with families by communicating respectfully and by sharing information and resources that support the health of children and families.
A. Relationships
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Describes qualities of a healthy, accessible, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all families
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Describes the importance of building strong relationships with families
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Identifies strengths in individuals and family units
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Describes a strengths-based, family-centered philosophy and practice and the ways that educators partner with families
B. Communication
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Identifies different types of communication (verbal, non-verbal, written, etc.)
- Describes effective communication, including active listening, and ways to build trust
- Identifies and explores personal beliefs, values, and biases
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Examines one’s communication skills for cultural sensitivity and overall effectiveness
- Learns about children’s diverse family structures, values, and traditions
- Defines and maintains rules of confidentiality related to children and families
- Uses release of information protocol appropriately
C. Community Involvement and Resources
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Identifies local community resources that support children and families
- Identifies state and national resources that support children and families
- Establishes collaborative, positive working relationships with service providers
- Supports families to access resources that meet family’s needs
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Employs strategies that value and build on family strengths
- Supports and values families as active decision-makers and educators of their children
- Shares knowledge of child development with families and acknowledges children’s individual variances in development
- Partners with families to develop healthy behaviors and routines for their children
- Involves families in planning and implementing children’s learning experiences
- Recognizes signs of stress, declining mental and/or physical health in parents and guardians and responds supportively
B. Communication
- Employs diverse communication styles with children and adults
- Applies a variety of communication strategies that are respectful, non-biased, and reflective of children’s diverse family structures, values, and traditions
- Utilizes a variety of strategies with families that encourage feedback, evaluation and involvement
- Describes and implements policies that foster respect and inclusion of all children and families
C. Community Involvement and Resources
- Demonstrates knowledge of community resources that support children and families
- Makes appropriate referrals to community services for children and families
- Assists families to make their own referrals and requests for services
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Employs strategies for building peer support networks for families in the classroom and community
- Strengthens parents’ abilities to be observers of child behavior and development
- Facilitates opportunities for families to engage in classroom programs and to interact with one another
- Creates opportunities for families to engage in recreational and social activities with each other
B. Communication
- Evaluates a variety of communication techniques and selects appropriate methods to support and build trusting relationships with families
- Integrates children’s home cultures and languages into the program as appropriate
C. Community Resources and Involvement
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Employs service-provider team building strategies to coordinate services for children and families
- Works with others in the community to apply family-centered philosophy in services delivered to children and families
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Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center
Last modified September 26, 2005