Family
The most powerful tool of any classroom is to take the time and understand the dynamics of the families. The family is the primary caretaker of the children in your classroom. By taking the time to build an open relationship, you will come to understand the child more. The Creative Curriculum stresses the importance of families. They should be welcome to the classroom at anytime. Creating a warm environment that is welcoming and builds a trusting relationship will help facilitate a bond. It is important to include parents in the child's education; children simply achieve more when there is a home-school connection. At drop off in the mornings, address the parents that arrive with their child. This will help understand the child's day better; maybe the child didn't sleep well the night before or a parent is absent. Provide parents with information on what the children are learning in the classroom. This can be achieved in a variety of ways. Monthly bulletins are beneficial by giving the parents a resource that can be attached to the refrigerator in the home and includes the important dates. Some parents work during school hours, a classroom website can allow for parents to see parts of the classroom through pictures. This will help them feel included even from a distance. Throughout the year, families can volunteer to come into the classroom and read a story or help children make a recipe. Other families have different beliefs and can be encouraged to help others learn their traditions. (Dodge, 2002)