Training Module
This module was developed as part of the California Department of Education/Child Development Division School-Age Training Project, was revised in 2017 to incorporate specific language, examples and tips for summer and year-round learning programs and revised in 2019 to incorporate language to support mental health and wellness.
During this training, participants will explore what it means to build authentic relationships with families, practice the foundational the skills needed to do this and explore biases that might prohibit them from developing authentic relationships with families.
In this training participants will:
Explore the foundational components of authentic relationships and relationship-building.
Identify personal and societal biases that may prohibit the development of authentic relationships.
Practice foundational skills to support building authentic relationships with families.
Explore opportunities to implement and strengthen relationship building skills.
Content Overview:
Foundations for Authentic Relationships
Participants will explore the foundational tenants of building authentic relationships.
Understanding Our Biases Toward Families
Our biases can be a barrier to building relationships with families. Participants will explore how to account and address their biases to overcome this barrier.
The Art of Listening
Participants will take time to practice engaged listening, which is a foundational skill needed to build authentic relationships with families.
Opportunities to Build Relationships
Participants identify the different opportunities they have to build relationships with families and what they may need to be most effective when building relationships with families.
Training Length: 2 hours
eLearning Module
Research shows that family involvement in quality out-of-school time programs can have the following benefits:
Improved parents’ engagement with their child’s learning, which can lead to stronger communication between families and schools.
Improved youth outcomes (such as behavior, well-being and school success).
Better relationships between parents and their children.
Harris, E., Rosenburg, H., & Wallace, A. (2012). Families and Expanded Learning Opportunities: Working Together to Support Children’s Learning (ELO Research, Policy and Practice, Brief No. 2)
By the end of this module, participants will:
Identify their attitudes towards families.
Consider how their attitudes can enhance or detract from their ability to develop positive relationships with families
Examine how a program’s overall environment supports strong staff-family communication