Quality Counts California
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Translation disclaimer information
  • Home
  • Families
  • Early Educators
  • Quality Partners
  • Policymakers
  • Learning Opportunities
  • Resource Library
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • About Quality Counts California
  • Learning Opportunities
  • Resource Library
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • About
Home Early Educators Family Engagement Family Engagement Toolkit Module 1: The What, Why, and How of Family Engagement

Module 1: The What, Why, and How of Family Engagement

Description

Module 1 provides a content-rich overview of family engagement. In this module, you will learn what family engagement is, why it matters, and the strategies you can use to engage with families.

Module Outline

  • Unit 1: The What and Why of Family Engagement
    This interactive online learning experience covers what family engagement is and why it matters. Estimated time to complete: 1 professional development clock hour.
  • Unit 2: Practice: Building Relationships with Families
    This 5-7 minute interactive simulation previews the experiences that will be available in each module via simulation to practice and enhance family engagement skills.
  • Unit 3: The How of Family Engagement
    This interactive online learning experience introduces you to the strategies for building relationships with families that lead to effective engagement. Estimated time to complete: 0.5 professional development clock hour.
  • Companion Resources
    Available through CECO or from the list below.
  • Learning Extension Guide
    This guide provides additional activities you can use to extend your learning about the what, why, and how of family engagement. You can complete the activities by yourself, with a partner, or with a group.

Sign In and Start Module 1 (English)
Sign In and Start Module 1 (Spanish)

Visit the Family Engagement Toolkit landing page to learn more about earning professional development clock hours through California Early Childhood Online (CECO) and the ECE Workforce Registry.

Resources to Extend Learning

Professional development clock hours are not available for extended learning resources or simulations listed below. To receive professional development clock hours for these activities, click on the “Sign In and Start Module 1” button above and complete the toolkit units via CECO.

The What and Why of Family Engagement

Download this resource to learn more about what family engagement is and why it matters, and identify what is needed for successful family engagement (4 pages).

Download (English)
Download (Spanish)

Encouraging Strong Parent-Child Relationships

Learn more about the role you play in encouraging strong parent-child relationships and the benefits for young children (3 pages).

Download (English)
Download (Spanish)

Strategies for Building Relationships with Families

This resource will help you dive deeper into the strategies and tools you can use to build relationships with families (7 pages).

Download (English)
Download (Spanish)

Practice: Building Relationships with Families Simulation

This 5-7 minute interactive simulation previews the experiences that will be available in each module via simulation to practice and enhance family engagement skills. Simulations are used throughout the toolkit to provide opportunities to build skills and practice engaging with families. You can earn professional development clock hours by completing it on CECO.

Learn more about the available versions.

Start enhanced version (English)
Start simplified version (English)
Start enhanced version (Spanish)
Start simplified version (Spanish)

Learning Extension Guide

This guide provides additional activities you can use to extend your learning about what family engagement is, why it matters, and how you can engage with families in your settings. It includes activities you can complete by yourself, with a partner, or with a group.

Download (English)
Download (Spanish)

Technical Support for the Family Engagement Toolkit

  • For best viewing of the simulations, we recommend using the latest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
  • Tips on how to use the simulations
  • Learn more about detailed technical requirements and recommendations for the modules
  • Contact us with questions or if you need assistance accessing the Family Engagement Toolkit

Use the simplified version if:

  • You are using a screen reader to access the simulation
  • Your computer is not able to load the enhanced version, it takes too long to load, or the simulation freezes
  • Your mobile device is not able to load the enhanced version or the simulation freezes

Use the enhanced version if:

  • You have an up-to-date computer and you do not use a screen reader
  • Please note that you may need to rotate your handheld device to view horizontally for the simulation to load

Primary Sidebar

In This Section

  • Family Engagement
    • Family Engagement Toolkit
      • Module 1: The What, Why, and How of Family Engagement
      • Module 2: Build Strengths-based Relationships
      • Module 3: Respect the Family’s Role in the Child’s Development
      • Module 4: Show Cultural Respect
      • Module 5: Take a Shared Approach to Family Engagement
      • QCC Family Engagement Toolkit Contact and Support
      • Tips on How to Use the Simulations
      • Technical Requirements and Recommendations

Footer

Quality Counts California: Raising the Quality of Early Learning and Care
  • Home
  • Families
  • Early Educators
  • Quality Partners
  • Policymakers
  • Learning Opportunities
  • Resource Library
  • FAQs
  • About
  • Contact Us

Disclaimer   |   Copyright © 2025. Funded by First 5 California, in partnership with the California Department of Education and the California Department of Social Services.