My first Magazine Booklet - the final version | Page 20

WORKING TOGETHER – PARENT INVOLVEMENT Examples of activities Example 5 - Croatia Example 6 - Croatia LONG TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY ACTIVITIES: • Adaptation period in the group • Workshop within the Comenius project regarding the water pollution • Landscaping the back yard and gardening • Visiting the grandparents farm (with 2 groups) • Celebrations with the family at their home • Different workshops during the years WELCOME WEEK PARTY - an annual welcome party at the beginning of the school year Main goals: getting to know each other, developing social emotional connection, bonding as a group, making the transition from home to kindergarten less stressful. Activities: competition games, group dance, different sports, work activities (wall painting), barbecue. The whole family has been involved in the early age education throughout the years which resulted in a great cooperation between preschool and family and many great moments together. Mother was in a group during the adaptation period (both of her kids) which went pretty smooth and the girl was well adapted into the group. In the years to come she held a workshop within the Comenius project regarding the water pollution and father was actively engaged in landscaping of our back yard and gardening. In that way parents actively participated in the process and shown their children the importance of education and partnership with school. One of the benefit of parental involvement is establishing a social network. Parents of other children of similar age provide support and consolation, sources of information and family connections that can be lifelong. Social connections between children provide security when transitions, such as kindergarten, occur. A child may be more willing to join a group or activity if his parents are involved in this important transitional period of child s life 20