Program offers family social gatherings that intentionally include other family members, in addition to parents.

Evidence must show that program offers family social gatherings that include family members beyond just parents

• Announcement or invitation

OR

• Calendar showing gathering(s)

OR

• Newsletter

OR

• Other

Engaging extended family members in the program’s activities sends the message that every member of each child’s family and communities are important to children’s development.

Why is it important that a program provides social gatherings that intentionally include family members in addition to parents/guardians?

Offering families opportunities to participate in social gatherings can have a number of beneficial effects: It can:

• Reduce feelings of isolation, which is a consistent risk factor in child abuse and neglect. Isolation is a problem in particular for family members who are in crisis or need intensive help.
• Build families "social capital," their network of resources in the community" families, friends, neighbors, churches, etc." whom they can call on for help and support. 
• Enable parents/families to develop and reinforce community norms about behavior. Norms against violence help reduce child abuse and neglect.
• Help parents/families develop friendships that lead to mutual assistance in obtaining resources that all families need from time to time, including transportation, respite child care, and other tangible help, as well as emotional support.

Families come in different configurations, makeups, and sizes including two-parent, single-parent, step and foster families, and extended families with multiple generations living together (Gonzalez-Mena, 2010). For example, you may have children in your classroom that live with same-sex parents or those who live with their parents and grandparents. It is important to keep in mind that all families can provide support to and should be supported by their child's early childhood program. Recognizing and appreciating children's families in all of the various forms is an important ingredient for high-quality early childhood programs.

Because staff members of early care and learning programs have regular contact with family members and because family members often have time to interact with each other at pick-up and drop-off times, there are regular opportunities for relationships to develop between family members and between family members and staff. Often these relationships develop through informal interactions that provide opportunities for family members to share with staff and other family members their personal concerns and hopes for their children. 

In what ways can a program offer social gatherings that intentionally include family members in addition to parents/guardians?

• Make sure that family members feel welcome and comfortable when they enter the program and on a continual basis.
• Ask families about their interests and how the program can serve them better. Organize activities that are informed by families' interests, for example, field trips to places that they want to visit and theme-based parties based on their hobbies.
• Observe which children spend time together and tell their families, in case they want to make play dates.
• Look for barriers to families' participation and when possible, address the barriers (e.g., hold social gatherings at different times/days of the week to accommodate families' schedules, encourage extended family members to attend).

Where can I find more information about providing families with social gatherings and opportunities? 

Review the activities listed in Standard FIS 7 for guidance on how programs can provide social gatherings and supports to family members/families.