Changes in American Families, Parent Volunteers and Their Roles

Changes in American Families, Parent Volunteers, and Their Roles

Chapter 11 introduces changes in American families, such as the increase in single-parent homes, working mothers, and nuclear families. The twentieth century has seen a dramatic shift from the extended family system to the nuclear family system in America. Many parents are increasingly working outside the home, which has led to children spending more time in childcare settings (Machado and Botnarescue 325). Children’s contact with their extended family has decreased, and the influence of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins has become much less important in children’s lives. Early childhood educators need to be aware of the changes in American families and how they can impact children’s development.

The chapter also covers parent volunteers and their roles. The chapter stated that many early childhood programs rely heavily on parent volunteers to help with things such as chaperoning field trips, classroom parties, and other events (Machado and Botnarescue 328). Parents can also be valuable for educators, providing insight into their child’s development and unique needs. Volunteers help to create a sense of community within the early childhood program and can be a great asset to the staff. Accordingly, I should create positive relationships with parents and utilize their talents to benefit the classroom.

Thirdly, I learned how I could motivate parents to volunteer. As such, I must create a system to track parent volunteers and their hours. Notably, teachers can use this system to communicate how parents can help the program and assign specific tasks (Machado and Botnarescue 332). This will help to ensure that volunteers are used effectively and feel appreciated for their efforts. I can also create a more supportive and cohesive early childhood program by motivating parents to volunteer. In addition, I will help to build a sense of community within the program and establish positive relationships with families. I will also establish solid working relationships with parents. I should often communicate with parents about their child’s development and needs. Lastly, I should also solicit feedback from parents about my teaching practices and the overall program.

Works Cited

Machado, Jeanne M., and Helen Meyer Botnarescue. Student teaching: Early childhood practicum guide. Cengage Learning, 2010.

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Changes in American Families, Parent Volunteers, and Their Roles

State 3 things that you learned in Chapter 11 that will help you throughout your practicum experience.
Machado, J. Student Teaching: Early Childhood Practicum Guide