University of Kwazulu-Natal

Bridging The Gap Challenges And Solutions In Family Engagement

Bonisiwe Shabane
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bridging the gap challenges and solutions in family engagement

Family engagement in early childhood education is a key factor in fostering a child's development and setting the foundation for their future success. However, many families face challenges that hinder their ability to participate fully in their child’s education. These challenges can include language barriers, demanding work schedules, and limited resources, among others. By understanding these barriers and implementing effective strategies, educators and schools can create inclusive environments that invite all families to become active participants in their child's learning journey. Many families may not speak the primary language used by the school, making communication between educators and parents challenging. This language barrier can create a disconnect, making it difficult for parents to understand their child's progress, school events, or even how they can support their child's learning at home.

For parents and caregivers working long hours or multiple jobs, finding the time to engage with their child's education can be difficult. School events or parent-teacher meetings may be scheduled during working hours, making it nearly impossible for them to attend without compromising their employment. Some families may lack the financial or technological resources needed to participate fully. Limited access to transportation, technology, or childcare can prevent parents from attending school activities, accessing online learning tools, or staying informed about their child's progress. Different cultural expectations or past negative experiences with educational institutions can also discourage families from engaging with their child's school. Families may feel that their culture and values are not represented or respected, leading to a sense of exclusion or discomfort.

As a mom of three kids who's worked closely with teachers over the years, I've seen both sides of the parent-teacher relationship. Some families are deeply involved in their children's education, while others seem harder to reach. The lack of parental involvement isn't always what it appears to be on the surface, and I've learned that teachers often hold the key to building those crucial connections. When my middle child struggled with math in third grade, his teacher reached out in a way that completely changed our dynamic. Instead of sending home another note about missed homework, she called to share something positive he'd done that day, then gently mentioned the areas where he needed support. That simple approach opened the door to a partnership that helped my son succeed.

The reality is that many families want to be involved but face real barriers that make traditional engagement difficult. During my years volunteering at schools, I've met single parents working double shifts who can't attend daytime events, families where English isn't the primary language, and parents who had negative school experiences themselves and... Research shows that when teachers understand these challenges, they can create more inclusive opportunities for connection. One teacher I know started sending weekly text message updates instead of emails because she learned many of her families primarily used mobile phones. Another began hosting informal coffee chats in the school lobby before dismissal, making it easier for parents already picking up their children to connect. Sometimes lack of parental involvement stems from parents simply not knowing how to help at home.

When my neighbor felt overwhelmed by her daughter's new math methods, the teacher sent home a simple video explaining the strategies. That small gesture transformed a frustrated parent into an engaged learning partner. We know that kids do best when their families and schools are working together to support them in reaching their full potential. This is true now, as we plan for the next normal, more than ever. Strong and effective family-school partnerships are absolutely essential to keeping kids engaged in learning and healthy in body and mind. In 2018, the Global Family Research Project conducted a thorough review of the leading family engagement research and found that the research “consistently confirms that family engagement is one of the most powerful predictors...

In fact, a nationally representative survey conducted by AFHK in January 2020 found that while 86% of parents are interested in providing input on kids’ health issues, 72% have decided against raising concerns with... So if schools want to hear from families, families want to provide input to schools, and they all recognize the need to work together, what’s not working? And, more importantly, what needs to change for families and schools to partner effectively? The full answer, not surprisingly, is a complex one. In school communities across the country – particularly those with concentrated disadvantages and inequities – historical barriers to family engagement have created mistrust between families and school staff. Cultural and language differences, systemic racism and inequities, and unrealistic expectations of parents’ time and capacity have resulted in families being labeled as “hard to reach” or worse, written off as not caring about...

As the gap between families and schools has built up, those layers of mistrust have become engrained in assumptions each group makes about the other and bridging that gap has become more difficult. But the need to bridge that gap is especially urgent now, with distance and hybrid learning environments the norm and the pandemic blurring the lines between caregiver and teacher, school and home. Alright, buckle up, fam, because Your Trendy Editor is about to drop some knowledge on how schools are finally realizing that parents aren’t just people who sign permission slips – they’re, like, essential to... SMH, it took them long enough! Seriously though, Ohio State University (2025 USNews Ranking: 41) ‘s recent Family Engagement Symposium was totally lit, showcasing a national wave towards schools actually partnering with families. The whole vibe was about boosting student outcomes through communication, collaboration, and understanding.

Think of it as a major glow-up for the education system. The symposium, brought to you by the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center and the Department of Teaching and Learning at Ohio State’s Metro School, was all about equipping future teachers with the skills to... Professor Antoinette Miranda, who heads up the Department of Teaching and Learning, emphasized their focus on outreach, basically saying they’re giving student teachers the inside scoop on how to make parent-teacher collabs a reality. And Barbara Boone, director of the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center, straight-up said that happy teachers are teachers who engage with families. That’s facts! Key takeaways?

Open communication is the ultimate key, especially when you’re talking about diverse classrooms. We’re not just talking about different races and ethnicities, but also different family structures, languages, and backgrounds. It’s about understanding where each family is coming from and tailoring your approach accordingly. The symposium featured a panel discussion, “What Families Wish Teachers Knew,” which included parents like Charis Davis from Portsmouth City Schools, Meghan Volk from Reynoldsburg City Schools, and Jameson George from Chillicothe City Schools. These parents were dropping truth bombs about the importance of consistent communication. Davis, whose kids have dyslexia, pointed out how crucial it is to keep those lines open, while Volk stressed the need for teachers to set clear expectations for parents so they can actually help...

George highlighted how regular updates were super helpful for his adopted children from Colombia. Can’t even imagine navigating a new education system without that kind of support. The heart of a thriving educational community is the partnership between schools and families. With the invaluable insights gained from vibrant conversations with 128 families across 14 districts, Contigo Ed is excited to share strategies that emerged. These gems of wisdom are part of our collaborative Phase I consultation services we offer to districts. Breaking Down Language Barriers: The Importance of Spanish Translation

Effective communication is inclusive communication. For many Texas families, English isn’t the primary language spoken at home. Through our interviews, most Spanish-speaking parents explained that it’s crucial for information provided by schools to be available in Spanish too. This thoughtful feature ensures that every parent has the opportunity to engage fully with their child’s college and career exploration journey. In today’s fast-paced world, every minute is precious, especially for hard-working parents. To better align with the schedules of those who work, many parents often suggest that schools host parent meetings later in the day, such as 6 pm, when they are more likely to be...

Introducing online options such as Zoom meetings and their recordings can also enhance accessibility and allow parents to engage with the material on their time. This flexibility provides parents with options to stay informed and connected. Streamlining Access to College and Career Information This is a free training from Alabama Public Television. It is approximately two hours in length and can be held online or in-person at your workplace. Families may look and communicate differently today, but our focus is still the same: healthy development for the child!

This training will explore and discuss ways to connect and enhance our relationships with families. From challenges to collaborating, we will explore simple ways to bridge the gap throughout the school year and keep families engaged and excited about learning. Training Level: Basic Target Age Group: Preschool DHR Training Areas: CCPF CDA Subject Areas: 1, 3, 4 CKA Content Areas: CGD, DIV, ICFC CCDF Training Areas: 13, 16 Quality Indicator: L Stay in the loop by signing up for the APT Education monthly newsletter. Get all the latest news, parenting tips and educational resources for FREE! These educational programs and services of Alabama Public Television made possible by the generous support of the following contributors:

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