The Process of Building Nonhierarchical Relationships With Head Start Immigrant Parents in Curriculum Co-Construction

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 45
  In Roundtable Session: Family Engagement in Early Childhood

Abstract

Young children, especially those from socioculturally and linguistically marginalized backgrounds, can miss important learning opportunities in which their curiosity about the natural and human-made world is fostered. Thus, the project Readiness through Integrative Science and Engineering (RISE) is designed to support low-income, dual language learners’ school readiness by co-constructing an integrated STE curriculum and fostering home-school connections with Head Start teachers and families. As the first step to bridging home and school, the project started building authentic and nonhierarchical relationships with immigrant parents by facilitating communicative and informal meetings during the first year of the project. This paper explains the meaning of “reciprocal dialogues” and importance of building nonhierarchical relationships with immigrant parents and site variations in two Head Start programs.

Authors

• Sunah (Sarah) Hyun, Brigham and Women's Hospital/MGH

• Christine M McWayne, Tufts University

• Jayanthi Mistry, Tufts University