ECE Virtual Classroom Social and Emotional Development
  • Child Care Courses
    • About ECE Virtual Classroom
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    • Course Instructions
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  • Select Course
    • Relationships with Families
    • Social and Emotional Development
    • Sign Language Tools for the Classroom
    • Building Community Through Circle Time
    • Easing Separation Anxiety
    • Family Activity Nights
    • Interactions and Guidance
    • Mildred D. Taylor and Cultural Awareness
    • Operation Military Families
    • Reinforcement and Redirection
    • School age Play
    • Social and Emotional Development
    • Spanish in the Early Childhood Classroom
    • Supporting Families with Special Needs
    • Supporting Self-Esteem
    • Teaching Self Expression
    • The Anxious Child
    • ​Using Literature to Support Diverse Families
    • Yoga for Young Children
  • Contact
  • Enroll in Courses
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Family Activity Nights

1 Clock Hour of Early Childhood Education
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Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Page 7

There are certain aspects of participating in an after-hours program at a school or child care center that come to be expected by families. Families may avoid after hours events for many different reasons.  ​The key to planning popular events that are enjoyed and attended by families is to avoid common pitfalls. 
Often the focus of an after-hours activity is to coordinate financial gain for the child care program. Whether it is a fundraiser event for an upcoming field trip or equipment is unimportant. Families are often happy to help with donations if they are able to, but may come to resent a program if this is asked of them repeatedly. If an admission price is charged for events, this may deter families from participating. Likewise, if the aim of the event is to solicit funds it is safe to expect a low turnout. The general assumption is that the families pay a monthly tuition amount that should cover all of the necessities, therefore they shouldn’t be expected to pay more.   
Another reason that after-hours programs can fail is due to scheduling conflicts. Families are busy with work, sports, down time and family events. If a parent or guardian is expected to take time off work to attend an event or program, it creates a hardship and unnecessary stress. When planning events it is best to take family schedules into consideration. A simple parent questionnaire will suffice, or a casual conversation. Another factor to keep in mind is the length of notice that families are given. Sending a flyer home one week prior to an event is not enough notice. Give families several weeks of notice to procure the best turnout.   ​ 
​​Arguably the biggest common pitfall of planning after-hours family programs comes down to the event itself. If it is boring, too long or too complicated, families will not make the extra effort to attend. Be sure to plan events that pique the children’s interest and give the families the motivation to participate as well. Often if the child is interested in going, the parents will be as well. It may take practice or communication with the families of the children in your care to discover the perfect mix of activities for your event. The time needed to research this is well worth it if it produces a healthy bond between the center and families.   
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Optional Resource for Further Study

  • Video: Ten Ways to Build School-Community Partnerships, via Youtube
  • Family Activity Night Planning Worksheet
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Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda​
2. Family Involvement - Pre-assessment  (1/3)
3. Families in a Changing World
4. Family Statistics
5. Family Night
6. Familial Involvement
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7. Avoiding Common Pitfalls
8. Successful After-Hours (2/3)
9. Components of a Successful Family Night
10. Event Planning Tips
11. Staffing Events
12. Family Program Theme Ideas
13. End of Course Quiz (3/3)
14. Course Evaluation Form​
Parking Lot
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Successful Solutions Training in Child Development
Address: PO Box 727, Burley, WA 98322-0727  * www.myececlass.com
Copyright 2018.  Successful Solutions Professional Development LLC.  * All Rights Reserved. Updated May 1, 2018

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Enrollment Hours (PST)

Monday - Friday         7  am – 8  pm  
Saturday & Sunday     9  am – 8  pm
Holidays                     9  am – 8  pm
Telephone

(360) 602-0960 
Email

info@myececlass.com
Registrations that are submitted after enrollment hours will be processed the next morning.  You will receive an email with your log-in information to access the course within an hour after we open the next business day.
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  • Child Care Courses
    • About ECE Virtual Classroom
    • ECE Virtual Facilitators
    • Course Requirements
    • Course Instructions
    • Certificates
    • ECE Virtual Classroom
  • Select Course
    • Relationships with Families
    • Social and Emotional Development
    • Sign Language Tools for the Classroom
    • Building Community Through Circle Time
    • Easing Separation Anxiety
    • Family Activity Nights
    • Interactions and Guidance
    • Mildred D. Taylor and Cultural Awareness
    • Operation Military Families
    • Reinforcement and Redirection
    • School age Play
    • Social and Emotional Development
    • Spanish in the Early Childhood Classroom
    • Supporting Families with Special Needs
    • Supporting Self-Esteem
    • Teaching Self Expression
    • The Anxious Child
    • ​Using Literature to Support Diverse Families
    • Yoga for Young Children
  • Contact
  • Enroll in Courses