Developing Caring Relationships Among Parents, Children, Schools, and Communities

"This text provides a fresh look at an important topic—teachers and families working collaboratively. A strong blend of research and practical application is presented."—Beth Nason Quick, Tennessee State University"I was captivated by an innovative and a gentle, humanistic approach to viewing families and working with parents in parenting education."—Gloria Wenze, University of Scranton"A synthesis of theory, research, and practice couched in a very readable text... a provocative examination of teacher and parent relationships that holds the promise of a better future for the next generation of educators and parents. This book should fan the flames of professional reflection and professional practice." —William McInerney, University of ToledoDeveloping Caring Relationships Among Parents, Children, Schools, and Communities looks at parent-professional-child relations very differently than other books in this area. Author Dana McDermott focuses on parents and teachers as adult learners who should be growing and learning along with the children in their care. Accessibly written, the book synthesizes the latest theories and research on parent-and adult-child relations and on adult learning and development, focusing on a dynamic process rather than a static role and, on all the social-contextual factors affecting parents, teachers, and children.Key FeaturesFocuses on parents and teachers as adult learners: This will supplement traditional books on family involvement or parent child relations which rarely drill down to understand parents as anything more than a conduit to a child′s development.Emphasizes the dynamic process of parenting and teaching: The author provides a useful tool, or a caring decision-making process, for parents, children, and professionals to think through any issues they face so that everyone′s needs are considered in any interaction. Provides a theory to practice model to support parents, families, and teachers: This book lays out a theory of what parents and teachers need to care for children and themselves and then shows how to put these theories into practice in preK—12 schools.Uses narratives to demonstrate applications of theory and research: The latest theories and research are woven into stories from the voices of parents, teachers, and children.Explores research from diverse cultures: The book looks at many schools around the world and from various socioeconomic backgrounds to identify their common and differentiated concerns.Includes additional web resources: Questionnaires, workshops, newsletters, model development information, resource material and other exemplary projects/resource sites can be found in the appendices.Intended AudienceThis supplemental text is designed for undergraduate and graduate courses such as Parents/Home-School Relations in Early Childhood and Elementary Education; Parenting; and School and Community Relations in departments of education, psychology, family studies, health sciences, and social

"Long-time family educator Dana McDermott has written a volume with a large arc that deserves attention by all working with families. Published as a textbook, its readership should go beyond students to educators, administrators, social workers, and many others that are part of the caring circles for parents and children. The book is conversational. It utilizes a theory to practice model so that readers can read and explore the inextricable links between developmental wisdom and best practice with families.  She is contextual in her viewpoint, exploring the many demands on parents AND on those that serve them. Respect for self and others jumps from the pages. This volume should sit along side the best of our books on group leadership, parent child communication, your favorite “arenting”book, resiliency materials and related books. If so, you will be picking this one off the shelf regularly to enhance your perspectives and your work."

Dana McDermott is an assistant professor at the School for New Learning at DePaul University. She has worked for over two decades in the Chicago area, nationally and internationally in the area of parent and family development. In Chicago she has been involved in minority parent leadership and in implementing parent education programs for children in schools from K-12 and for their parents. She serves on two national boards: “Prepare Tomorrow’s Parents” an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting parenting education in schools and the National Parenting Education Network dedicated to supporting parenting educators in their work. She consults with schools and parent groups in the areas of parenting, teaching caring, social and emotional development of children and violence prevention. She is a member of the National and Illinois Councils on Family Relations.