News and Events

Lead Authors: Dr. Liz Alvarado, Californians Together, and Carolyne Crolotte, M.A., Early Edge California
Contributors: JunHee Doh, M.A., and Karina Suzette Hernandez, M.P.P., Catalyst California

Dual Language Learners (DLLs) are children whose first language is a language other than English or children who are developing two or more languages, one of which may be English. This growing population of children in California’s Early Learning programs and classrooms enriches the learning environment with cultural and linguistic diversity. However, supporting their success requires strong partnerships between families and early educators. Our recent listening sessions with California State Preschool Program (CSPP) teachers and administrators underscored the pressing need for culturally and linguistically responsive family engagement strategies to effectively support DLL children and their families.

Multicultural Family Engagement: A Cornerstone of Student Success

The early childhood education (ECE) field has long recognized that children are a part of families and that relationships with families are an essential aspect of quality ECE. Family engagement is an interactive process where program staff and families work together to build positive, goal-oriented relationships. It is a two-way street built on mutual respect for the roles and strengths each party brings. Understanding families’ cultural beliefs, linguistic practices, and educational priorities is essential for building this trust and meaningful connections.

Building strong relationships with families, by understanding their backgrounds and needs, is the foundation for creating culturally and linguistically affirming  early learning environments and fostering successful multicultural family engagement. Each family entering early learning settings carries unique cultural experiences shaped by traditions, country of origin, ethnic identity, and community norms. These factors influence caregiving, educational perspectives, and child-rearing. Recognizing and appreciating these differences allows practitioners to foster a sense of belonging and create culturally and linguistically affirming learning environments where all children can thrive.

Early Childhood Programs: A Hub of Support

ECE programs are uniquely positioned to be a vital source of information and support for multicultural families. Through family engagement, early educators and preschool staff can play a pivotal role in families’ experiences with early learning programs and schools, but some may need additional information, resources, and support to engage culturally and linguistically diverse families. 

Family Engagement Challenges

Throughout our listening session discussions, however, CSPP practitioners emphasized challenges related to building relationships with families of DLLs, such as a lack of prompt translation services and inadequate time in their schedule to meaningfully engage with families on a consistent basis. Individuals that expressed more success in their family engagement efforts found ways to ensure that all children and families felt welcome, valued, and supported. “I always like to learn more and help my families and the children that I serve, especially families with children with special needs. They don’t know the system and that is what I assist with,” said one practitioner “The program does not provide this, it is on my own time and I do it on my own to learn from my own students and families.” Another practitioner echoed this sentiment stating, “At the start of the school year, we try to meet the parents individually. I find the time and a way to connect with parents at the beginning of the year…we have to work overtime to find the time, but in the long run it’s better because you make the parents more comfortable with you.”

Practitioners highlighted the importance of institutionalizing and enabling practices that support meaningful culturally and linguistically responsive family engagement. Ideally, these practices provide support to both staff and parents, building powerful partnerships to strengthen the development of thriving, healthy multicultural, multilingual children. 

Strategies for Successfully Engaging Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families

Discussions with practitioners revealed several themes related to strategies for successful multicultural family engagement. These themes include:

• Championing the Value of Home Languages: Many families may have concerns about speaking their native language at home. Early educators and staff can support home language development  by being champions for bilingualism, and providing families with resources and information on the cognitive, academic, and social benefits of developing fluency in two or more languages, and home language development.
• Embracing Diversity in the Classroom: Creating curriculum and learning environments that celebrate the cultures, languages, and families of the children sends a powerful message of inclusion and value. This can involve incorporating stories, songs, and traditions from different cultures into daily activities.
• Supporting Translation and Two-Way Communication: Practitioners expressed a need for more home language materials, as one teacher stated: “I would like a translator because in my classroom it’s not only English, Spanish and Vietnamese, I would also like support for Hmong because there are different dialects within the language.” Ensuring that interpretation is available and that resources are translated into families’ home languages is essential for fostering open communication between families and staff. This allows for clear communication of resources available, expectations, progress updates, and collaborative goal setting.
• Connecting Families to Resources: Many DLL families may face challenges navigating a new cultural landscape when seeking access to resources that can support their children’s healthy growth and development. Programs can connect them to culturally and linguistically responsive services, including health, legal, housing, and other support systems.
• Equipping Staff for Strong Partnerships: Staff should be trained to recognize the cultural context of early learning and development, understand the realities faced by immigrant and mixed status families, and build strong relationships across cultures. Programs can provide training, materials, and coaching opportunities to help them develop these skills.
• Family Support and Fostering Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Services: Programs can offer family engagement programs, educational resources, and translation services in the home languages of families on topics including: early language development, the benefits of bilingualism, and strategies for supporting home language development. This ensures clear communication and empowers families to become active partners in their child’s early learning and development. 

Conclusion

Engaging with families from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, in the context of DLL identification and services, is essential but challenging. It requires, among other things, time, effort, and a willingness to recognize and engage across cultural and linguistic differences. CSPP leadership and staff can prioritize family engagement by allocating time to meaningfully engage with families, providing timely translation services, and investing in professional development that emphasizes reflection and cultural understanding. Implementing these and other culturally and linguistically responsive family engagement strategies will ensure that all children and families feel supported and valued, paving the way for their well-being and academic success.

The following section provides a comprehensive list of valuable multicultural family engagement resources for teachers, administrators, and families.