When we work in partnership with families, we want to remain curious and continue to learn about each family’s strengths, viewpoints, and expertise. We can ask families about how they want to engage in Head Start programs.

Below are considerations for remaining open to how families may decide to engage:

• A family’s race and culture play a large role in how they support their child’s learning and development.
• Biases may emerge in our partnerships with families when we hold expectations about the ways families should engage in our programs. Even subtle assumptions or expectations about how families engage can be rooted in biases.
• To practice equitable PFCE, we must consider how race and culture shape behavior. This involves naming and taming our biases.

Activities

Download the worksheet to complete three activities:

1. Uncovering Hidden Biases About How Families Engage
2. Honoring the Ways That Families Want to Engage
3. Using the PFCE Framework to Explore New Ways for Families to Engage

Each activity builds on the one before it, so make sure to do them in order:

• If you only have 15 minutes, complete Activity 1.
• If you have 30 minutes, complete Activity 1 and Activity 2.
• If you have an hour, complete all three activities.

You may choose to spend more or less time on each activity depending on your needs or the needs of your group.

Last Updated: August 6, 2024