Sample Family Engagement Survey
The following is an example of a survey that could be shared with families to complete when they enroll in a program or other activity during their initial entry. It could then be reviewed and updated during meetings that happen between families and teachers over time. Teachers can use this information to get to know families; support family engagement by aligning a family’ s strengths, activities, talents, and skills to the needs of the program; and collaborate with families on projects.
Baby’ s Name: _______________ Family Member: _____________ Date: ______________________
We value your contribution to our infant classroom. We want everyone to have the opportunity to be part of our classroom in meaningful ways.
1. What are the top three priorities for your child and family right now? 2. What do you want your child and family to gain from being in the infant classroom? 3. What is special about your family? 4. What are some activities your family likes to do? 5. What are your talents and hobbies? 6. What does your family do while your child is at the program? 7. What times of the day / week are you typically available?
Involvement
Involving families is the next step on the continuum, which focuses on the shared goal of supporting the child’ s learning and development. However, families are seen as an extension of school; that is, program staff believe that families should use information, materials, and resources provided by educational staff for implementation in the home( Liang et al. 2020; Steen 2023). This can include sending bags with books or crafting activities from school to home or presenting reading challenges to be completed outside of the learning setting. Yet barriers arise that impact whether and how families use information or resources, including related to time and scheduling; language, literacy, and cultural practices; and communication( Liang et al. 2020). Indeed,“ one of the downsides to solely relying on this approach is that it implies that families listen to, participate in, and implement expectations and requirements set by the early learning program”( Steen 2023, 31).
Engagement
Family engagement is reciprocal, strengths-based, and individualized( Koraleck et al. 2019; Steen 2023). Families want to contribute to their children’ s education; engagement strategies ensure they can share information with and be heard by educators( Gross et al. 2020; McWayne et al 2022). Family engagement is an active process for families and educators. With time and effort, educators get to know each family individually, identifying a family’ s unique capacities and how they can participate in the program or classroom in wide-ranging ways. When families are engaged, they feel as though they belong and have an impact in the program( Koraleck et al. 2019; Gross et al. 2020). Teachers also feel supported and motivated( Gross et al. 2020), which increases the quality of the curriculum.
Although families have different engagement styles( Gross et al. 2020; Liang et al. 2020), surveying families to identify their goals, talents, interests, and availability helps teachers to identify opportunities for family engagement( see“ Sample Family Engagement Survey” above). Examples of family engagement include a family member painting a mural in the classroom, sharing decorations for a cultural holiday, or repairing the classroom’ s push toys. Families also can be engaged and never enter the classroom( McWayne et al. 2022); for example, they may record stories or songs, organize digital photos, or help format or edit the class newsletter. All families’ contributions to the classroom or program are valued.
34 Young Children
Summer 2025