Notes

Five Strategies To Strengthen Family Relationships
Family engagement has a long-lasting impact on children's lives and it can take many kinds. As professionals in the field of afterschool and expanded learning, it's important to remember that even though we may not be able to see a child's family at school or a program, that doesn't necessarily mean they're not involved in the lives of their children. Families should be encouraged to attend school or programs when possible.

This can seem overwhelming in the midst of the pressures of the modern American family life, which is not limited to a variety of job and school obligations, but also involve jam-packed extracurricular schedules for everyone in the household. Knowing that families are busy and frequently overwhelmed can help us think about how we can build closer relationships with families when they pick up or drop off their child at your center. These five easy strategies can help you create solid relationships in a hectic environment.

When strengthening family relationships Be authentic
The training of front-line employees on how to build meaningful connections and be aware of their body language. Parents are quick to detect the tone of their children's behavior, whether positive or negative. Healthy relationships can be promoted through simple methods such as making eye contact, appearing friendly and always saying something positive about their child's experience within the program. Be aware of the desire of the family to keep their child in afterschool and inform them that you're aware the busy schedule that yours is. Many times, afterschool program workers are college students or teens. It is crucial to provide instruction to these youngsters on how to build solid relationships with their families.

Encourage participation from parents.
Make sure parents know that you have an open door policy and that they are welcome. Invite them to stop by and share an interesting interest, skill or hobby with students and parents.

Respect others.
Invite parents to go on an outing, fair or even a class. Be sure to make it enjoyable. Take care of their time. Start on time, end on time. Be aware of your guests' busy schedules and ensure that the event is memorable and enjoyable for them. Make sure your presenters are enthusiastic, are able to relate, and are dynamic and lively. Know your audience. If you are aware that the parents that you interact with come members of a particular area, find a presenter with a similar background that is able to connect with these parents.

Learn more about family structures.
Although our society is becoming more progressive than it was in the past however, there are still a lot of attitudes towards families that do not fit into the conventional model. Human service professionals know that families can be found in all dimensions and shapes. Based on their personal experiences, many adults have difficulty to accept families that are not traditional. A lot of families are also affected by this prejudice. The more you know about your family members when you don't place too much emphasis on the differences between them and the more you are able to establish a connection with them and develop a relationship.

Break the down
As a facilitator of programs, I've heard many "breakdown comments," directed at families. One school staff member said, "Families only visit because we feed them." My response was always "I'm happy they're coming because I'd like to sit down and eat together with them." Macroaggressions are an problem that must be addressed and are unacceptable toward the children and families that are provided with extended learning programs. Sometimes people don't realize they're causing harm to someone. Engage in honest and open conversations with your employees about the macroaggressions. Learn More should be able recognize the signs of macro-aggressions and know how to eliminate them.

It is extremely rewarding to develop positive relationships with families of the children we take care of. Below are some helpful resources that can assist you in building these relationships, improve parental involvement in afterschool, and raise awareness about macroaggressions.
Here's my website: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/meltobaspi/episodes/2021-12-14T02_51_23-08_00