Impact of Family Structures and Patterns on Children's Development and Education

Running head: EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Early Childhood Studies
Name of the Student:
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1EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Literature Review.......................................................................................................................3
Methods and Ethics....................................................................................................................5
Findings......................................................................................................................................6
Discussion..................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion................................................................................................................................10
Table: Assessment Form..........................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................13
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................14
Appendix..................................................................................................................................16
Interview with a Preschool Teacher.....................................................................................16

2EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Introduction
According to Elango et al. (2015), when families and schools work together, young
children have better chances for achieving success. The involvement of the family members
in early childhood education, benefits the children to a huge extent. They get higher scores or
grades in their academic papers. In addition to this, their attendance is always 100 percent
and their behavior is more positive than others. Bruce (2012) mentioned that young children
are like learning sponges and their family members play a major role in shaping their
attitudes and behaviors. When the members of the family are involved, there is always a
chance that the family values get communicated to the children. Young children want to feel
the pride in their family members and the pride tends to influence how the child is feeling
about himself/herself. However, extensive research on this topic reveals that the role of
family members play a crucial role to the children’s success.
The report throws light on the involvement of family members into their children’s
early education. In addition to this, the report discusses about the changing parenting
practices, young children and family structures, within the context of their families.
Moreover, the report highlights the overall importance of developing awareness of the family
structures, patterns and relationships. Significant research since the past years has
demonstrated the fact that involvement of the family members is very crucial for the
educational success of young children. The report aims to develop ideas and concepts
regarding family involvement and how their structures and patterns affect children education.
Last but not the least; the report emphasizes on the benefits of early childhood education and
how it changes the attitudes as well as behaviors of the children.

3EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Literature Review
Early childhood professionals agree on the fact that a good method of meeting the
demands of the young kids is through their family members, whatever the units may be.
According to Bruce (2012), as family patterns or structures change, early childhood
professionals tend to develop various ways of meeting the parents’ as well as children’s
needs. The family system has the overall responsibility of meeting the needs of the children.
It is true that parents are the children’s primary educators and the guidance as well as
experience they gain from their parents, shapes the children’s future. It is within the family
that the basic values, approaches and literacy skills are set as well as reinforced.
In Wortham and Hardin (2015) words, it is important for the educators to work with
the family members and assist them to get a good start on parenting. Educators need to
address the family issues and problems before they assist the children in an effective manner.
For instance; working with the family service agencies in order to help the parents, access
affordable and adequate health care means for keeping their children healthier. Moreover, the
early childhood professionals should work with the young children as well as their families,
in order to benefit both.
According to Roopnarine and Johnson (2012), a good example of working with the
families is conducting family literacy programs, where the teachers should organize sessions
with the family members and educate them on childhood learning. Family literacy programs
provide training to the parents and assist the families with some parenting strategies, values
and behaviors for the growth and development of children. Family structures, living patterns
and other factors highly matter in the development, growth and education of the children.
Moreover, Bredekamp (2016) examined that an increasing number of mothers are currently
employed. In the year 2004, around fifty seven percent of the mothers with children below