Research Findings and Recommendations: The Relationship Between Family Engagement and Mental Health and Well-Being
In a study supported by the NYC Early Childhood Research Network and funded by the Spencer Foundation, Dr. Vanessa Rodriguez examined the relationship between family engagement and the mental health and well-being of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) of color. Dr. Rodriguez and colleagues bring to the forefront the unique expertise and experiences of ECEs of color that influence their engagement with families. Researchers shared three major themes they found when talking with ECEs: “First, their love for children drove their care for the family. Second, they recognized trust, respect, two-way communication, empathy, and culturally sustaining practices as key elements of family empowerment. Third, their awareness of families’ contexts and awareness of themselves highlighted how their community cultural wealth influenced their family engagement practices.” Dr. Vanessa Rodriguez and her colleagues offered three policy and programmatic recommendations:
- Integrate family engagement into existing supports related to early childhood educator mental health and wellness
- Develop organizational conditions that promote healthier teacher-family relationships
- Clarify expectations for how ECEs should engage families
Please click here to read the full report by Dr. Rodriguez and colleagues.
