A letter from June 15th, 2018

Dear FutureMe, Happy Birthday! You are 30 now. As you began your career in Early Childhood Education, remember that it won't be easy, but it will be worth it. Focus on your path by helping children to succeed. You were always good at helping children. I know that you're still not a people person. You've been like that for years, but you will be collaborating with families of special needs students. Don't worry, you got this. Five most important things you will need to know when working with families; 1. listen to families, acknowledge and build upon their strengths and competencies, and learn from families as you support them in their task of nurturing children, 2. respect the dignity and preferences of each family and to make an effort to learn about their structure, culture, language, customs, and beliefs to ensure a culturally consistent environment for all children and families, 3. share information about each child’s education and development with families and to help them understand and appreciate the current knowledge base of the early childhood profession, 4. help family members enhance their understanding of their children, as staff are enhancing their understanding of each child through communications with families, and support family members in the continuing development of their skills as parents, and 5. develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families you serve. Like I said, you got this. Don't be discouraged. You were born to walk a path of teaching young children. You will feel a great reward of the work you will put in. Jut be you and the rest will follow.