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Even though most families utilize some form of out-of-home care, children under the age of five continue to spend most of their early lives in the family setting. Consequently, families continue to play an especially important role in shaping the course of children’s early development. For this reason, families are an invaluable partner with early childhood programs.

Guided by cultural beliefs and principles, families select experiences, convey attitudes, and impart knowledge to their children to prepare them for adulthood. Accordingly, it is important for program staff to learn to collaborate effectively with families. To develop a partnership and to tap into the family as a primary resource, early childhood educators must reach out to, learn about, and develop strong partnerships with families. This process requires openness to learning and an effort to understand the individuality of each family and the diversity of the families from which the children come.

Culturally competent practices are essential in the early learning setting or environment in order to form authentic partnerships with families that promote children’s development. Specific knowledge of the child’s cultural or multicultural background and life at home can be the key to effective teaching and learning. This knowledge is a valuable tool for connecting what the child already knows and values to the new competencies that programs seek to nurture. To the extent that a program’s policies and approaches are informed by, reflective of, and congruent with the child’s experiences at home, children will find it easier to adapt to the requirements of the program and meet the program’s expectations for achievement. Deeper knowledge of the children’s family life will increase the likelihood that early childhood education programs will effectively meet children’s needs and serve them successfully.

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