Building Strong Family Partnerships

Duration: 3 hours

This workshop explores how building strong family partnerships shapes the quality of children’s experiences in early learning settings. The British Columbia Early Learning Framework (2019) emphasizes that learning is holistic, relational, and deeply connected to families and communities. When families are seen as partners, not just participants, children experience a stronger sense of Well-Being and Belonging, their Identities are affirmed, and curriculum becomes richer and more inclusive.

Drawing on the work of Bronfenbrenner (1979), Epstein (1995), and Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010), we will explore how partnerships with families can be built, sustained, and integrated into daily curriculum practices. Across four modules, educators will examine the theoretical foundations of family partnerships, analyze scenarios, reflect on practice, and participate in activities designed to strengthen collaboration with families. By the end of the workshop, educators will leave with strategies to ensure that families are meaningfully engaged in ways that are equitable, culturally responsive, and aligned with the ELF.