ECHD 435: Family Systems, Support, & Engagement

Students will reflect on how modern families are shaped by changes in society and family structures and how such changes impact parenting. Furthermore such societal shifts impact the relationship between early childhood practitioners and families requiring strong partnership, effective communication and on-going ways to involve families in the education process. Throughout this course practitioners working with children and families will increase skills and knowledge to assist families in supporting their children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. A strengths-based approach to empowering families will be maintained throughout the course. Students will investigate many factors that influence the healthy development of families and their impact on the parent/child relationship.