Research shows that the home-school connection is very important in children's school achievement. There needs to be two-way communication between the teacher/caregiver and the parent, and both must be involved in helping children learn.

The ScienceStart! classroom has several ways to support parents in helping children learn about the world around them.

Science ZipKits

Science Zipkits are take-home ziplock bags that contain the instructions and materials for carrying out a science experience. Their release is timed to coincide with what the child is learning in school. They offer an opportunity for the parent and child to explore together, for the child to demonstrate what she is learning in school, and for the parent to support this learning. Often the activity is shared with siblings and other family members or friends. The ScienceStart! child enjoys teaching others what she has learned. Parents are often surprised by how much the child has learned.

The Science ZipKit Guide contains instructions for creating a large number of different ZipKits, covering a wide variety of topics.

Click here to see a sample ZipKit.

Science Celebrations

Science Celebrations are in-school events in which parents join their children in carrying out a variety of science activities. Children are excited to show parents what they have been learning. Parents gain more understanding of the ScienceStart! curriculum and more confidence in their ability to support their children's learning. And, most importantly, everyone has fun.

Click here to learn more about Science Celebrations.

Newsletters

Different teachers use newsletters in different ways. They may send home a newsletter every month, every week, or even every day. Newsletters inform the parents about classroom activities and topics so that parents have a starting point for conversations with their child.

The newsletter may describe curriculum-related activities the parent and child can do together and list curriculum-related children's books parents can get from the library.

Some teachers invite children to help in composing the newsletter, using this as an opportunity to develop pre-literacy skills.

Family Literacy Programs

Family literacy programs are included in some implementations of the ScienceStart! curriculum. A family literacy program offers an opportunity for parents to learn more about how children develop reading and writing skills and offers tips on reading aloud and talking to children. It also provides a time for parents and children to listen to the teacher read a book aloud and then to work together on an activity related to the book.

Parents' Place in the ScienceStart! Classroom

Many ScienceStart! classrooms welcome parent volunteers. Parents can provide adult support during center-based time, they can read aloud to small groups of children, they can help take and print photographs of classroom activities and transform these into class books. By engaging in conversation with one or more children, parents contribute to making the classroom a language-rich environment.

In Parents' Own Words

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