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Developing Caring Relationships Among Parents, Children, Schools, and Communities
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Developing Caring Relationships Among Parents, Children, Schools, and Communities



July 2007 | 304 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

"This text provides a fresh look at an important topic—teachers and families working collaboratively. A strong blend of research and practical application is presented."

—Beth Nason Quick, Tennessee State University

"I was captivated by an innovative and a gentle, humanistic approach to viewing families and working with parents in parenting education."

—Gloria Wenze, University of Scranton

"A synthesis of theory, research, and practice couched in a very readable text... a provocative examination of teacher and parent relationships that holds the promise of a better future for the next generation of educators and parents. This book should fan the flames of professional reflection and professional practice."

William McInerney, University of Toledo

Developing Caring Relationships Among Parents, Children, Schools, and Communities looks at parent-professional-child relations very differently than other books in this area. Author Dana McDermott focuses on parents and teachers as adult learners who should be growing and learning along with the children in their care. Accessibly written, the book synthesizes the latest theories and research on parent-and adult-child relations and on adult learning and development, focusing on a dynamic process rather than a static role and, on all the social-contextual factors affecting parents, teachers, and children.

Key Features

  • Focuses on parents and teachers as adult learners: This will supplement traditional books on family involvement or parent child relations which rarely drill down to understand parents as anything more than a conduit to a child's development.
  • Emphasizes the dynamic process of parenting and teaching: The author provides a useful tool, or a caring decision-making process, for parents, children, and professionals to think through any issues they face so that everyone's needs are considered in any interaction.
  • Provides a theory to practice model to support parents, families, and teachers: This book lays out a theory of what parents and teachers need to care for children and themselves and then shows how to put these theories into practice in preK—12 schools.
  • Uses narratives to demonstrate applications of theory and research: The latest theories and research are woven into stories from the voices of parents, teachers, and children.
  • Explores research from diverse cultures: The book looks at many schools around the world and from various socioeconomic backgrounds to identify their common and differentiated concerns.
  • Includes additional web resources: Questionnaires, workshops, newsletters, model development information, resource material and other exemplary projects/resource sites can be found in the appendices located at www.sagepub.com/mcdermottappendices

Intended Audience

This supplemental text is designed for undergraduate and graduate courses such as Parents/Home-School Relations in Early Childhood and Elementary Education; Parenting; and School and Community Relations in departments of education, psychology, family studies, health sciences, and social work.


 
List of Appendices
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
Introduction: Thinking Mindfully About Parents
 
Part I. Understanding Parents Within Their Cultural Context
 
1. Understanding Parent Involvement and Engagement in Schools Today
Framing the Issues

 
Traditional Definitions of Parent Involvement

 
Political, Philosophical, Social, and Cultural Issues

 
New Paradigms and New Solutions: Focus on Engagement

 
Summary

 
 
2. Understanding Theories and Research on Parenting
Early-20th-Century Theorists

 
The Interactionists

 
Trait Theorists

 
Bidirectional and Transactional Theories

 
Humanistic Theorists

 
Social-Cognitive Theories

 
Family Systems Theories

 
Social Relationships Theories

 
Bioecological Systems Theory

 
Family Support and Empowerment

 
Summary

 
 
3. Understanding the Elements of Parenting and Caring: Theories and Research
Defining Parents

 
A Case Study Illustrating What Parents Do

 
The Parenting Process: A Theoretical Framework

 
Research Demonstrates the Complexity of the Parenting Process

 
The Parenting Process and Parental Thinking

 
Parental "Ways of Knowing"

 
Research on Parental Thinking

 
Exemplary Programs Support Parents as Lifelong Learners

 
Characteristics of Confident and Competent Parenting and Caring

 
Summary

 
 
4. Understanding Parents and Teachers as Lifelong Learners
Parents and Teachers Are Lifelong Learners

 
Case Studies Examining Parent and Teacher Learning Needs

 
Improving Parent-School Engagement and Learning

 
Connecting Adult Learning and Adult Development

 
Importance of Parent and Teacher Development

 
Parent-Teacher Learning and Development Collaborations

 
Summary

 
 
5. Understanding Culturally Diverse Parents and Teachers
What Is Cultural Context?

 
Terms and Questions That Aid Our Understanding

 
The Role of Stories in Cultural Identity

 
Some Questions Enhance Our Understanding of Parents

 
Parents' Beliefs About Children's Needs: Collective Versus Individual Focus

 
Parental Goals

 
Parents' Thinking and Behaviors Toward the Child and Others

 
Parents' Ideas About the Nature of Children

 
Parents' Own Status and Context

 
Self-Efficacy, Socioeconomic Status, and Cultural Context

 
A Rationale for Using Questions to Understand Parents

 
Summary

 
 
Part II. From Theory to Practice: Fostering Caring and Culturally Sensitive Parent-Child-School-Community Relationships
 
6. Fostering Caring Ways of Relating
Adult Learning Principles Frame the Model

 
Meta-Parenting Is Another Helpful Construct

 
A Caring Model of Parenting and Relating

 
The Parenting-Caring Connection

 
Parenting-Caring and Adult Learning

 
Case Studies Exemplify the Caring Process

 
Generalization of the Parenting-Caring Model

 
Summary and Concluding Thoughts

 
 
7. Understanding Parents' and Teachers' Concerns
Concerns of Parents of Diverse Socioeconomic Backgrounds

 
Some Common Concerns

 
Parents' Concerns by Age and Grade of Child

 
Control: A Common Concern for All Parents

 
Other Factors Related to Parental Control

 
Communication: Another Common Concern

 
Case Study: A Communication Solution

 
Communication and Explanatory Style

 
Communication With Parents, Teachers, and Schools

 
Communication Experts Listen to Parents

 
External Threats

 
Summary: Historical Consciousness

 
 
8. Providing Developmental Opportunities for Parents and Teachers
Needs of Adults Caring for Children

 
Parents and Teachers Seek Guidance and Support

 
Faculty Learn and Grow Together

 
Parents, Teachers, and Staff Grow and Learn Through the PEI

 
Reflection on Practice Benefits Everyone

 
Parent-Teacher Discussions Are Also Helpful

 
Stories as a Way That Adults in Children's Lives Learn From Each Other

 
Other Models to Support Parent and Teacher Development

 
Summary and Concluding Thoughts

 
 
9. Ensuring That the Next Generation of Parents Is Prepared for Their Role
Background and Rationale

 
Parent-Infant Visits: A Powerful Teaching Tool

 
The Many Reasons for Teaching Parenting and Caring

 
Advocates for the Cause

 
What Children Learn in Parenting-Caring Classes

 
International Movement for Parenting in Schools

 
Teaching Parenting Throughout the School Years

 
Results Demonstrate Student Learning

 
Students Contribute Meaningfully to Their Community

 
Parenting Courses as a Requirement for High School Graduation

 
Summary

 
 
Epilogue
 
References
 
Index
 
About the Author

"Long-time family educator Dana McDermott has written a volume with a large arc that deserves attention by all working with families. Published as a textbook, its readership should go beyond students to educators, administrators, social workers, and many others that are part of the caring circles for parents and children. The book is conversational. It utilizes a theory to practice model so that readers can read and explore the inextricable links between developmental wisdom and best practice with families.  She is contextual in her viewpoint, exploring the many demands on parents AND on those that serve them. Respect for self and others jumps from the pages. This volume should sit along side the best of our books on group leadership, parent child communication, your favorite “arenting”book, resiliency materials and related books. If so, you will be picking this one off the shelf regularly to enhance your perspectives and your work."

Ted Bowman

This text is for a graduate course and I chose it because it delves deeper into the theory and practicalities of developing partnerships with families.

Dr Rene Garrison
School Of Education, St Bonaventure University
May 12, 2014

Excellent resource for students who are learning about the importance of working with the wider school community.

Miss Syreeta Charles-Cole
Education, Carshalton College
March 27, 2014

Not only is this book written in a excellent way it is also a practical fantastic resource. Another fantastic book that will allow us to get the students prepared for their placements.

Miss Amy Smith
Early Years and Child care, Wakefield College
March 26, 2014

A WELL FORMATTED TEXT FOR STUDENTS WORKING WITH PARENTS IN SCHOOL SETTINGS AND THE COMMUNITY.

Mrs Andrea Morgans
General Education, Cardiff and Vale College
November 21, 2013

subjects were not directly related to course goals

Dr Lillian Breckenridge
Religion Dept, Oral Roberts University
October 19, 2013

Easy to read and sectioned for ease of use by students.

Miss Johanne Child
early years, Wakefield College
September 13, 2013

some key chapters to support the module building effective relationships with children and young people

Mrs Evonne Parker
School of education , Blackburn College
December 4, 2012

This book gives a great insight into the multi disciplinary approach. It will be recommended as a useful tool particularly when covering this topic.

Mrs Gwyneth Walsham
School of Teaching and Learning, Gateshead College
July 12, 2011

Very easy read... I think students will actually read this text!

Ms Beth Pinheiro
School Of Family Consumer Sci, Bowling Green State University
April 18, 2011
Key features

 Focuses on parents and teachers as adult learners

· Focuses on the dynamic process of parenting and teaching

· Provides a theory to practice model to support parents, families and teachers

Provides a tool or guide for thinking through problems and finding solutions that take into consideration the needs of all involved

For instructors

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