Parental Engagement

This chapter considers how to cultivate an inclusive and welcoming community for children and families from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Through an initial exploration of case study educational settings in three international contexts (the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Spain) the chapter explores the benefits and challenges of encouraging development of the child's full linguistic repertoire, including building on home languages and integrating content and language learning from the early years and beyond. Strategies are shared aimed at addressing language barriers, developing trusting partnerships and creating a sense of belonging, including through analysis of the case studies and a series of language challenges. The chapter explores how to manage communications with families fluent in multiple languages and avoid the othering which might marginalise or isolate families and students, especially on the basis of language. Finally, the chapter considers how educators can work together with parents recognising their key role as the child's first interpreter.