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Engaging Families as Partners in Early Education

Candra Morris is the Vice President of Professional Learning here at Waterford.org. She recently sat down with us to talk about family engagement, student success, and building relationships. We like to say she wrote the book on family engagement in schools—because she did! What makes you so passionate about family

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20 Early Math Activities for PreK and Kindergarten Families

Teaching early math skills like counting, recognizing shapes, and using measurements such as time or length are perfect for building a strong learning foundation. Math is a combination of versatile skills that your child will use in many ways throughout their life. That’s why practicing beginning math skills in preschool

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How to Promote Family Engagement During the First Weeks of School

One of the best ways to promote positive learning outcomes on an individual and school-wide level is involving families in their child’s educational journey. The earlier in the school year educators begin to collaborate with families, the more likely their strategies are to be effective.[3] From back-to-school nights to parent-teacher

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How Two-Way Communication Can Boost Family Engagement

Regular family-teacher communication is a meaningful step to long-term family engagement. As Candra Morris, VP of Professional Learning at Waterford.org, notes in a recent article, “Academic success for students requires a partnership between educators and families.” Read on to learn how to communicate more effectively with the families in your

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stock photo of parents and child engaging in parent-teacher meeting in school

CARES: A Framework for Family Engagement in Schools

Both educators and families share a common goal: to provide strong support for students. By working together, they can craft a comprehensive support system that promotes success. However, educators sometimes prioritize one-way communication rather than true collaboration—leaving families unsure if they are valued in their child’s classroom and school. To

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Waterford.org Announces Ernest Blackwell as New Board Chair

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (July 6, 2023) — Waterford.org, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing equitable access to proven early education programs, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ernest Blackwell as its dynamic new board chair. Mr. Blackwell assumes the role after the esteemed tenure of Allison Molkenthin, who has

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How Family Engagement Leads to Student Success

On both the classroom and schoolwide level, family involvement in education can make a profound difference in early learning outcomes. When educators build strong relationships, families can reinforce what their students are learning in the classroom as they set their own routines and expectations at home. As an educator, it’s

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teacher and family engagement

Engaging Caregivers: A Shared Vision for Collaborative Education

BISMARCK, N.D. — Parents and caregivers of school-aged children truly want to be seen, heard, and involved with what goes on in their kids’ classrooms. This insight emerged from the Engage Every Family Conference, held earlier this year at North Dakota’s Gateway to Science, where esteemed education expert Dr. Steve

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Nelina Moore, 5, does UPSTART preschool work at home in West Valley City on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

Tips to Support Summer Learning

The lazy days of summer can lead to learning loss for some children. When school is out, children are less focused on traditional academics and participate in more play-based activities. Luckily, learning doesn’t only happen in a formal setting. There are many opportunities to help your child this summer that

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