Family and Community Engagement:

Know Yourself

Breadcrumb trail:

Becoming more self-aware begins with examining yourself.

We each bring our experiences, perspectives, and worldview to our work — the good, the bad, and all of the in-between. These are what make us who we are and influence our practice with children, families, and colleagues. We also hold in our minds a picture of our ideal selves. Knowing more about yourself can pave the way to becoming the person and the early educator that more closely matches your ideal self. This first Key to Reflection and Inquiry can help you become more self-aware and intentional in examining who you are now and who you want to become.

A woman pausing for reflection.
  • Family lifestyles, behaviors, and values differ greatly in countries around the world. Some may seem strange to you or make you feel uncomfortable. Sleeping norms is one that often raises eyebrows.
  • What family sleeping patterns and arrangements are familiar and seem "best" to you?
  • What kinds of sleeping arrangements seem "foreign" or "inappropriate" to you?
  • What is your belief about the best arrangements for children's sleeping?
  • What was your personal experience as a child with sleeping arrangements, sleeping rules, and sleep routines?

Try This!

View the photos of where and how children sleep.

Young boys sleeping on makeshift tables.
Young boys sleeping on makeshift tables.
Parents sleeping with their child in the center.
Parents sleeping with their child in the center.
Four young boys sleeping on the ground.
Four young boys sleeping on the ground.
A brother and sister sleeping next to each other.
A brother and sister sleeping next to each other.
Two children sleeping on the street.
Two children sleeping on the street.
A mother sleeping next to her child.
A mother sleeping next to her child.
  • Which images delighted you?
  • Which made you uneasy and why?
  • How aware are you of the sleeping arrangements for the children in your care?

Use this template to record your observations, thoughts, and feelings.  Download the Template

Deepen Your Understanding

California Early Childhood Educator Competencies

Deepen your understanding of the expectations for facilitating family and community engagement by reviewing the Topic: Knowledge of families in Performance Area 2 in the CA ECE Competencies. Scroll to page 40.

Can you find other places in this competency area that address your interests and needs?

Download the California ECE Competencies

California Early Childhood Educator Competencies

Extend Your Learning

Read "About Being Real", an excerpt from Dragon Mom: Confessions of a Child Development Expert.