As parents, you are vital to your child’s early development! Eighty percent of a child’s brain develops before they are five years of age. Family engagement supports children’s school readiness and prepares them for life. Spending time together as a family can improve the social-emotional development of children, as well as foster skills in young children such as impulse control, attention, memory, and planning. The easiest way to advance these skills is by taking advantage of everyday life moments and using these times to connect, read, and play with your child. 

What is Family Engagement Month?

November is Florida Engagement Month, a time to celebrate the significant role that parents and caregivers play in their children’s education. Children benefit tremendously from positive family engagement, and it can help them succeed in school by increasing their motivation to learn. Children need high-quality time with parents and caregivers, and it’s about how you choose to spend that time that truly matters. 

Using Everyday Moments to Connect

• Find moments during your daily routine to actively engage in conversation with your child. Talking to your child is one of the most important things you can do to get their brains ready for learning! The more you talk with your child the more words they will learn.

• Tell stories, sing songs, play games, go for a walk in the park, complete a puzzle, or build blocks with your child. Every little bit of play time makes a positive impact!

• Tell your child you love them every day, and how important they are to you and how they make you feel. Try to have a daily “connect” time with your child, such as letting them choose and read one book with you at bedtime. 

Using Everyday Moments to Learn 

• Teach your child new words and concepts by talking with them, for example, about the food they eat. Ask them questions like, “What color is the fruit on your plate?” or “What shape is the sandwich?” You can also help them count the number of grapes or carrots on their plate.

• Cooking with your child is a wonderful way to teach fine motor skills (they will need to use their hands to stir, mix, or combine ingredients); social and emotional development (connecting while you cook together); language and literacy (giving them a chance to listen and follow directions); and mathematical thinking (exploring and measuring ingredients).

• Have fun with numbers while washing hands, playing with toys, and eating- for example, have your child count to ten while they wash their hands, ask them to find four of their favorite toys, or to eat five more bites of their lunch. 

As a parent, you have the power to give your child a great start in life! The world is a child’s classroom, and everyday experiences provide countless opportunities to build on school readiness skills. Take some time to talk about what you see as you walk or drive, talk about your day or what you’re doing in the kitchen, and point out signs, buildings, animals, and colors while out and about in the community. When you make learning a part of your everyday lifestyle, you provide quality, unique experiences for your child!

For more information on what you can do during Family Engagement month, visit https://www.elcpalmbeach.org/family-resources.