Get Involved with My Child’s Education

Research shows that family engagement increases children’s motivation, reduces behavioral problems, and improves social-emotional development. Family engagement fosters school readiness school skills in young children, such as impulse control, attention, memory, and planning skills. Further, family engagement promotes children’s school success and prepares them for life.

It’s never too early to start talking about transitions with your children. Children thrive when they know what is happening and there is open dialogue with a caring adult. The ELC of Duval, in partnership with Duval County Public School, is hosting Transition to Kindergarten workshops for families with children starting kindergarten in Fall 2024. Click here to register for the virtual workshop.

The ELC of Duval holds monthly parent empowerment workshops for parents with children ages birth to five. It’s free, fun, and informative! Parents receive door prizes, and pre-registration is not required. Success by Six parents are required to attend at least one workshop each academic year. Click here for a list of 2023 – 2024 Family Engagement Workshops.

The ELC of Duval is a proud member of Read Jax, a community effort to improve third-grade reading outcomes. Reading does not begin when a child arrives at kindergarten. Pre-literacy skills start at a young age and include wanting to look at books, following narratives, recognizing print, learning vocabulary, and identifying letters and sounds. Parents are encouraged to read to their children 20 minutes a day! Below are activities and resources to assist families build excellent reading habits.

Florida Dept. of Education Summer Reading Activities

Helping Your Child Become a Reader

JaxKids Book Club

Meet Barkley! Barkley loves to play fetch, go for walks, spend time with his family, and READ! He loves reading so much the ELC of Duval declared him our official Book Buddy! Each month, Barkley will announce his favorite children’s book along with activities for teachers or families. Follow along with Barkley on ELC’s social media, newsletters, and website. Click here for the 2022 – 2023 Book Selection and Activities list.

2023 – 2024 Book Selection and Activities

July Book of the Month: The Busy Body Book by Lizzy Rockwell

August Book of the Month: Look and Learn Patterns by National Geographic

September Book of the Month: Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert

What should my child be learning?

Learning begins at home with you as your child’s first and most important teacher. Your child’s values, learning skills, and social skills start developing at birth. Below are First Teacher books for guidance on your child’s development and how to encourage them to explore, learn, and grow.

Birth to 8 Months Birth to 8 Months – Spanish	Click Here Click Here
8 Months to 18 Months 8 Months to 18 Months – Spanish	Click Here Click Here
18 Months to 24 Months 18 Months to 24 Months – Spanish	Click Here Click Here
Two-Year-Olds Two-Year-Olds – Spanish	Click Here Click Here
Three-Year-Olds Three-Year-Olds – Spanish	Click Here Click Here
Four-Year-Olds Four-Year-Olds – Spanish	Click Here Click Here

Get involved with my child’s early learning program

Your child’s early learning and care is a responsibility shared by families, child care providers, and the community. Below are ways families can get involved in their child’s education:

Contact your child’s teacher and maintain communication throughout the year
Participate in parent/teacher conferences
Volunteer at your child’s early learning and care facility
Ask the teacher what your child is learning and how can you support it at home
Talk with your child daily about his or her activities
Learn about your provider’s policies and expectations so you can help your child understand them
Model behaviors and attitudes you expect from your child
Encourage and nurture your child’s creativity
Establish a daily family routine
Engage in reading for at least 15 minutes each day with your child
Be positive when talking with your child about school-related activities

• Contact your child’s teacher and maintain communication throughout the year

• Participate in parent/teacher conferences

• Volunteer at your child’s early learning and care facility

• Ask the teacher what your child is learning and how can you support it at home

• Talk with your child daily about his or her activities

• Learn about your provider’s policies and expectations so you can help your child understand them

• Model behaviors and attitudes you expect from your child

• Encourage and nurture your child’s creativity

• Establish a daily family routine

• Engage in reading for at least 15 minutes each day with your child

• Be positive when talking with your child about school-related activities

Family Engagement Resources and Tutorials

Division of Early Learning Newsletter Parents’ Pages	Click Here
Division of Early Learning – Family Resources	Click Here
DCF – Positive Parent Guide	Click Here
Florida Dept. of Education – Family and Community Engagement	Click Here
Florida Dept. of Education – Developmental Standards	Click Here
NAEYC – Family Engagement in Action	Click Here
Read Aloud 15 Minutes	Click Here
Zero to Three – Let’s Talk About STEM	Watch Videos
Pinterest – ELC Page	Click Here

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