MODULE  LEARNING EXTENSION GUIDE
Take a
Shared
Approach
Orientation
Learning extension activities will help you deepen your
knowledge about family engagement. These activities can be
used to support your work daily or as part of a long-term goal.
The activities in this guide provide ideas for relection and
opportunities to practice skills learned in the family engagement
modules.
How to Use This Guide
Activities are designed for early childhood learning and care
professionals, including family child care providers, teachers,
administrators, coaches, home visitors, and librarians. Each
activity can be used:
Individually for self-study, self-relection, and integrating
family engagement practices into your work
With a partner to learn about, explore, and relect on
implementing family engagement in your setting
With a group as part of staf meetings, association events,
or workshops to learn and relect together about family
engagement
Activities in This Guide
1. What Happens Next?
2. Taking a Shared Approach: A
Self-Relection
3. Simulation Variations
This guide focuses on using strengths-
based relationships and strategies to
take a shared approach when working
with providers.
The following activities focus on
applying the three strategies—Use
a Strengths-based Approach, Listen
Actively, and Take Informed Action—to
relationships with providers.
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit. Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by
First 5 California.
MODULE 5 LEARNING EXTENSION GUIDE
Take a Shared Approach
1. What Happens Next?
This activity can be repeated using diferent
scenarios and examples.
Resources You Will Need
Scenarios HandoutYou can also learn more about
these scenarios in Module 5, Unit 1: Take a Shared
Approach to Family Engagement, Unit 2: Strategies
for Building Relationships with Providers, and Unit
3: Listen Actively.
Tip Sheets
- Use a Strengths-based Approach (for
providers)
- Listen Actively
- Take Informed Action (for providers)
If you completed the e-learning units in Module 5,
you may also find your journals from those units
helpful.
Module 5 Unit 1: My Family Engagement Journal -
Take a Shared Approach to Family Engagement
Module 5 Unit 2: My Family Engagement Journal -
Strategies for Building Relationships with Providers
- Use a Strengths-based Approach
- Take Informed Action
Module 5 Unit 3: My Family Engagement Journal -
Listen Actively
Time: 30–60 minutes
How to Use This Learning Extension
Individually
Complete activity steps 1–5, including the journal
relections. Relect on what you learned or
discovered.
With a Partner
Option 1: Complete activity steps 1 and 2
individually. Discuss the guiding questions in step
4 with a partner and relect on what you learned or
discovered.
Option 2: Complete activity steps 1 and 2
individually. Choose one of the options listed in step
3 and complete it with a partner. Relect together
using the questions in step 4, and then answer
the following questions: How are your responses
diferent or the same? What are some things you
learned from your discussion? Relect together on
what you learned.
With a Group
As a group, complete step 1 and proceed with the
following steps:
a. Complete the tasks in step 2 and share your
responses.
b. Have group members continue the conversation
by role-playing the interaction with a partner,
and have partners relect on their experiences
role-playing using the questions in step 4.
c. To conclude, engage in a group discussion using
the guiding questions in step 4 and relection in
step 5.
LEARNING EXTENSION A CTIVITIES
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit.
Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by First 5 California.
MODULE 5 LEARNING EXTENSION GUIDE
Take a Shared Approach
LEARNING EXTENSION A CTIVITIES
Activity Directions
STEP 1
Review the video scenario from unit 2, choose a
scenario from the scenario handout, or think about the
relationship you have with a provider that you want to
strengthen as written in your My Family Engagement
Journal.
STEP 2
Imagine that you are having the next conversation
with the provider.
a. Relect on:
- Your personal and cultural perspectives
- The provider's individual and cultural
perspectives
b. Inquire using these questions:
- What came up for you, both positive and
negative?
- How might these feelings or reactions
inluence your relationship with the
provider?
c. Choose a Strengths-based Attitude to help you
use a Strengths-based Approach. How will you
use the Strengths-based Attitude you chose to
help you focus on the provider's strengths?
d. Choose a Relationship-based Practice
and relect on how you will respond when
interacting with the provider using this
practice.
STEP 3
Continue to use the strategies and tools to work with
this interaction by journaling, role-playing with a
partner, or working through what you will say and how
you think the provider might respond with a group.
STEP 4
Relect on this interaction using these guiding
questions:
a. What did you discover about this provider?
b. Was there a time during this interaction you
felt went well? What happened during the
interaction to indicate it went well?
c. What do you think this interaction was like for
the provider?
STEP 5
Relect on what you did and learned as part of your
ongoing professional development.
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit.
Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by First 5 California.
MODULE 5 LEARNING EXTENSION GUIDE
Take a Shared Approach
SCENARIOS HANDOUT
Bonnie and Nancy
You can locate this video among the
Quality Counts California Family
Engagement Toolkit videos.
SCENARIO 1
You and another provider disagree on how best to address a parent who consistently does not follow through
with bringing in diapers as requested and needed.
SCENARIO 2
You and another provider disagree on how to best address a parent who consistently lingers at drop-of, making it
dificult for the child to separate from the parent upon their departure.
SCENARIO 3
A provider does not want to follow the lesson plan around an upcoming holiday because it goes against their
personal religious beliefs.
SCENARIO 4
A provider is late arriving to work and therefore misses their morning duty assignment. You had to fill in for
them. This is the third time this month that has happened. You want to talk about it, but you aren't sure how to
approach the provider.
SCENARIO 5
A provider does not view rough-and-tumble play with children as aggressive behavior.
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit.
Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by First 5 California.
MODULE 5 LEARNING EXTENSION GUIDE
Take a Shared Approach
LEARNING EXTENSION A CTIVITIES
2. Taking a Shared Approach:
A Self-Relection
This activity can be repeated using diferent actions
from the Take a Shared Approach Self-Relection
handout.
Resources You Will Need
Companion Resource: Take a Shared Approach
Time: 30–45 minutes
How to Use This Learning Extension
Individually
Complete activity steps 1–4 and relect on your
responses.
With a Partner
Complete steps 1 and 2 individually. Complete step
3 and take turns discussing the guiding questions
with a partner. Discuss the plan you have for your
next steps.
Guidance for coach/supervisor: Partner with a provider
and have them complete steps 1 3 independently.
Once they complete step 3, have them share their
responses with you. Develop a plan with the
provider to work on their next steps. Determine a
time frame to discuss progress.
With a Group
As a group, complete steps 1–3 and proceed with the
following steps:
a. Have each person share one action that they
want to work on from column 2 (Working On)
or column 3 (Want to Improve) of the Take a
Shared Approach Self-Relection handout.
b. Ask each person to determine a timeline for
working on implementing more consistently
the action they chose.
c. Discuss as a group.
OR
d. Have each person share one action from either
column 2 (Working On) or column 3 (Want
to Improve) (you choose which column) from
the Take a Shared Approach Self-Relection
handout.
e. Have individuals partner with one or two
providers who chose the same action they did.
f. Ask each person in the small group to
determine a timeline for working on
implementing more consistently the action
they chose.
g. Ask the small groups to set a date to come back
together to relect on their progress.
h. Then have a whole-group discussion using the
questions in step 3.
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit.
Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by First 5 California.
MODULE 5 LEARNING EXTENSION GUIDE
Take a Shared Approach
LEARNING EXTENSION A CTIVITIES
Activity Directions
STEP 1
Complete the Take a Shared Approach Self-Relection
handout.
STEP 2
Relect on your answers in column 2 (Working On) and
column 3 (Want to Improve).
STEP 3
Choose at least one action from column 2 (Working
On) or column 3 (Want to Improve) and answer the
following guiding questions:
a. What are the next steps that you can take to
help you do this more consistently?
b. What resources or strengths do you have that
can help you do this more consistently?
c. What will progress look like?
d. What is your time frame for looking at the
progress you made?
STEP 4
Repeat this activity with other actions from column 2
(Working On) or column 3 (Want to Improve) from the Take a
Shared Approach Self-Relection handout. Consider sharing
your next steps with another colleague.
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit.
Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by First 5 California.
MODULE 5 LEARNING EXTENSION GUIDE
Take a Shared Approach
LEARNING EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Take a Shared Approach Self-Relection
Taking a shared approach means you use the same strategies that you use to build relationships with families,
colleagues, or other providers. Taking a shared approach may take time to develop. Relecting on where you are in
the process can help you better understand where you are and where you would like to go.
Answer the following questions to determine where you are in the process of taking a shared approach with other
providers.
Shared
Approach
Actions
Already
Doing
(I do this
consistently)
Working
On
(I do this
sometimes)
Want to
Improve
(I do this less
oten)
Plan for
Next Steps
1. When I am challenged by
another provider, I approach the
relationship from a strengths-
based place by looking at the
strengths that the provider has.
2. I look for the positive in my work
even when there are things that I
may not like.
3. I ask for support from other
providers when trying new skills.
4. I let other providers know that
their perspective matters and
that I value their expertise.
5. I relect and learn together with
other providers.
6. I build trusting relationships
with other providers.
7. I create a program climate that
is positive, safe, and comfortable
for children, families, and
providers.
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit.
Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by First 5 California.
MODULE 5 LEARNING EXTENSION GUIDE
Take a Shared Approach
LEARNING EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
3. Simulation Variations
Resources You Will Need
Module 5 Simulations
- Practice: Take a Shared Approach
- Practice: Starting with Strengths
Tip Sheets
- Use a Strengths-based Approach (for providers)
- Listen Actively
- Take Informed Action (for providers)
Time: 30–45 minutes
How to Use This Learning Extension
Individually
Choose one of the options listed in step 1. Complete
the option you chose. Then, in your journal, relect on
the questions listed under the option you selected.
With a Partner
Choose one of the options listed in step 1. You and
your partner can choose the same option, or you can
choose diferent options to work with. If you choose
the same option, complete steps 1 and 2 together.
If you each choose a diferent option, complete the
activities individually. Then meet to debrief what you
each learned and how you will use that in your work
with families. Complete step 2 with your partner.
With a Group
As a group, complete the activities under each option
in step 1. If your group is large, consider working on
the activity in small groups or individually before
coming together to share and discuss their learning.
End by having each member complete step 2 and
share with another person.
Activity Directions
STEP 1
Choose one of the options below to continue using
the simulations in this module to support your family
engagement work. You can return to these activities
repeatedly for diferent experiences as many times as
you would like to deepen your practice.
Option 1: Intentionally make choices throughout the
simulation you feel aren't the best options; what do you
notice? Relect on:
a. Your personal and cultural perspectives
b. The provider's individual and cultural
perspectives
c. What you discovered and how it might
inluence your relationship with this provider if
you worked with them
d. What you would do to re-engage with this
provider based on what you learned
Option 2: Role-play with a partner what happens next
in the simulation scenario. One partner can take the
role of the provider, and the other can take the role of
the supervisor.
a. Select a strategy and tool to try.
b. Try out the strategy and tool.
c. Relect on what happened and what you
discovered.
Option 3: Work with the simulation and pause each
time the provider in the simulation relects.
a. Journal your own relections about what is
happening at those times.
b. Review your relections and identify how you
will use what you discover to inform your own
work with others.
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit.
Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by First 5 California.
MODULE 5 LEARNING EXTENSION GUIDE
Take a Shared Approach
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit.
Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by First 5 California.
LEARNING EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Option 4: Complete the simulation and review your
Performance Dashboard at the end of the simulation.
a. What did you discover about the strategies
and using them to build a strengths-
based relationship with the provider in the
simulation?
b. Note the strategies and tools you feel you used
well and which ones you have opportunities to
improve.
c. How will you use what you discovered about
applying the strategies in the simulations in
your relationships with providers?
STEP 2
Relect on what you experienced and learned as part of
your ongoing professional development.
To learn more about Family Engagement, visit the Family Engagement Online Toolkit, qualitycountsca.net/FEtoolkit.
Copyright © 2019. Facilitated and funded by First 5 California.