EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION
ECFE
What is ECFE ?
Early Childhood Family Education ( ECFE ) is based on the idea that parents provide their child ' s first and most significant learning environment and parents are children ' s first and most enduring teachers . ECFE works to support you as a parent / caregiver and to strengthen and empower families . The goal is to enhance the ability of all parents and other family members to provide the best possible environments for their child ' s learning and development .
Anoka-Hennepin Schools ECFE program :
• Provides hands-on learning experiences .
• Supports children ’ s growth and development through play .
• Is taught by licensed early childhood educators and parenting education teachers .
ECFE CLASSES
What are they like ?
• Parents / caregivers and children participate in activities and experiences that encourage children to play and explore .
• Meet with other parents / caregivers along with a licensed parenting educator to share ideas and discuss topics such as development , temperament , and guidance . Additional topics are directed by the specific groups and tailored to meet those specific parent and family needs .
• While parents / caregivers participate in parenting education , children learn through play while taking part in a variety of activities in the classroom with early childhood educators .
• Depending on the age of the child , parents / caregivers either :
• Do not separate - parenting education discussions take place in the classroom . Children are encouraged to continue playing under the supervision of an Early Childhood Instructor but are reassured by the presence of their parent / caregiver .
• Gradually separate - parents / caregivers spend increasing periods of time in parenting education in another room until full separation is achieved .
• Separate - parents / caregivers spend half of the class time together with their child and half in parenting education in another room .