Hear Our Voices!

Listening to All Families Matters  Families are their children’s first teachers. Early childhood educators know this, but what does it mean in practice? Participation, involvement, and engagement are only the first steps toward the true goal: reciprocal family partnerships. Discover how to move beyond inviting families to program events or connecting them to resources and instead recognize them as experts who meaningfully contribute to children’s learning and development.      Based on over two decades of research by the author, this resource  Establishes why reciprocal family partnerships are essential within the contexts of child development theories, developmentally appropriate practice, and anti-bias education Analyzes the important role that using a strengths-based approach plays in successfully building long-lasting relationships and partnerships Provides practical strategies and activities to help teachers and administrators examine and improve their practices for partnering with families Uplifts the authentic feelings and words of a diverse breadth of families  Families have voices that are waiting to be heard—it’s time to listen.  

This book connects the important work of partnering with parents from all types of families to the NAEYC standards that make our field high quality. The author provides reflection questions, family voices, and strategies that authentically relate to early childhood education work. I recommend this book to both new and veteran educators to deepen their partnerships with families in their programs.     —Sherrie Rose Mayle, In-Home Child Care Provider and Former Preschool Program Director and Teacher    Families’ voices are centered with gratitude and appreciation when we capture their stories and lived experiences. Hear Our Voices! creates this authentic space by starting with the family story and providing concrete strategies to honor and partner with families. A must-read for all educators and system-change leaders serving families.   —Kelly Ramsey, CEO, Developing People, Inc., and Coauthor, Families and Educators Together    Bweikia Steen has done the critical work of highlighting the importance of engaging families in their children’s education. As her research indicates, children will feel safe and included when families are respected and invited into partnership with their children’s school and teachers.    —Damaris Rosado-James, Professional Development Trainer, Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County    In this thought-provoking book, Dr. Steen draws upon family voices, her experiences as a parent and educator, and current research to offer realistic, useful strategies for engaging in reciprocal partnerships with families. It is an essential read for educators committed to equity and inclusion.   —Julie K. Kidd, Professor Emerita, George Mason University  

Bweikia Foster Steen, EdD, is associate professor and internship coordinator in the early childhood education program in the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. She received her doctoral degree from the University of San Francisco in international and multicultural education. Dr. Steen has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education. Previously, she taught children from birth through age 8 in the San Francisco Bay Area and on the collegiate level at California State University, East Bay; New York University; and Trinity Washington University. Her research focuses on promoting social, emotional, and academic success among children of color during the early years and providing early childhood educators with developmentally appropriate practices and strategies that will enable this success.