This course examines the knowledge, competencies, and attitudes needed by the early childhood educator to build collaborative partnerships with families. The focus includes an examination of family systems theory, family-centered practice, and opportunities for collaboration in professional-family partnerships.
Credits: 3
Hours: 45 (Lecture Hours: 45)
Prerequisites:
HDEC100, HDEC101, HDEC102, HDEC103, ECED109A
Non-Course Prerequisites:
Criminal Record Check Schedule B works with “children” or works with “children and vulnerable adults." Admission to the Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma Program or Education Assistant Certificate or Diploma Program or Human Services Advanced Professional Development Program.
Pre- or Co-Requisites:
HDEC 121
Course Content:
Understanding families through different lenses
- Understanding diversity and celebrating differences
- Conceptual framework of family systems theory
- Family-centered practice
- Building collaborative partnerships
- Implementing partnerships
- Mutual appreciation, respect, and support
- Community resources and supports
- Family advocacy
- Professional attitudes
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes in order to build collaborative partnerships with families in the field of early childhood education.
A student who successfully completes this course will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- explain and illustrate the roles and responsibilities of the early childhood educator for building collaborative partnerships
- define, describe, and apply family systems theory
- define and illustrate examples of family-centered principles
- demonstrate knowledge of cultural, socioeconomic and family diversity
- identify ways to build rapport and collaborative partnerships with families
- identify community resources and referral services available to families
- explain how to advocate with and for families
- compare and contrast the multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary models
A student who successfully completes this course will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- explain and illustrate collaboration as a means of empowerment in professional-family partnerships
- promote opportunities for family involvement in policy and programming decisions
- demonstrate effective professional conduct and interpersonal interactions which are mutually supportive of co-workers, families, and communities
- demonstrate ways to facilitate opportunities for family involvement and support
- access information on support systems for children and families and related resource and referral services
- describe how to refer families to appropriate sources of assistance
- demonstrate a respectful appreciation for the diversity of family characteristics, function, interaction, and life cycles
- demonstrate a respectful appreciation for cultural, socioeconomic and family diversity
- demonstrate professional growth, attitude, and conduct, including professional development, adherence to Code of Ethics, and the ability to advocate
Grading System: Letter Grades
Passing Grade: C (60%)
Text Books:
Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.