Family Map Inventory and TIPS for Great Kids!: Tools for Increasing Parent-Teacher Communication

Abstract

Family engagement during early childhood increases young children’s school readiness and later school success.  Parent-teacher communication is a key component in increasing family engagement.  We tested the impact of a two-pronged intervention, the Family Map Inventory for Early Childhood (Family Map; family assessment) and Teaching Important Parenting Skills (TIPS; parenting education program), on parent-teacher communication in private childcare centers serving low-income families.  The intervention included a four-hour Family Map training and a six-hour TIPS training.  Trained teachers conducted Family Map interviews and implemented TIPS for four months.  Results indicated: (1) teachers were willing to implement the Family Map and TIPS intervention in private child care settings; and (2) the parents and teachers in the intervention group reported higher levels of parent-teacher communication than those in the comparison group.