Early Head Start Socialization Plan*

The purpose of socializations is to support child development by providing opportunities for

interaction that strengthen the parent/child relationship.

Child Family Specialist (s):
Family Engagement Specialist:
Date: Time:
Location:
Child/Family Goals (supported by this socialization):
“Careful planning on the part of the home visitor(s) and the parent ensures that the goals of socializations are linked to the goals of home visits, so that family goals are built upon and are meaningful for parents and their young children.” EHS Tip Sheet No. 26
FRS and CFS communication (both formally, such as recaps, and informally) is key to identifying goals that families have for themselves or for their child’s development. Ways that these goals can be incorporated in the socialization experience will require teaming and intentional planning on the part of the CFS and FRS team.
Embedded Education/Enrichment Activities:
Child:: “Group socializations offer unique opportunities for parents and young children to build on goals and experiences of home visits; and the benefits are two-fold. Added time is provided for infants, toddlers and their parents to strengthen their relationships, and parents have the opportunity to interact with other adults.”
Family: What activities/materials will be incorporated into the socialization environment specifically to support child/family goals identified by the EHS team? i.e. if a number of families are working on helping their children strengthen their fine motor skills, activities to support parent/child interactions designed to work on these skills (such as a play dough table) may be planned. The same is true for family goals. If a number of parents have expressed an interest in a program or resource, information can be shared with parents at this time.
Materials Needed:
Reflections/Parent Feedback
What went well:
The EHS team can assess what went well for them and what parents enjoyed as well as looking at ways to change or improve the experience in the future.
What can be changed or improved:
Environment:
Progress towards goals or changes to consider:
“The environment for group socializations is a key ingredient in the success of socialization experiences. Creating an effective environment requires a clear understanding of the goals of socializations for infants and toddlers. The purpose of socialization experiences for infants and toddlers is to support child development by strengthening the parent-child relationship. This is in contrast to socializations for preschoolers where the goals are to support and develop peer group socializations.” EHS Tip Sheet No. 26
By assessing the socialization environment on a regular basis, teams can set and work toward goals to increase the environment’s ability to support the parent-child relationship, adapt to parent feedback and the changing characteristics of families attending socials, incorporate new materials and ideas, etc.

This EHS Socialization Plan must be posted in a visible location at each socialization event

Front page of socialization plan complete and due to PSC 1 week prior to event

EHS Socialization Requirements Checklist
EHS Drill and Safety Check Log
______The items listed below are all up to date and
verified according to the EHS Drill and Safety
Checklist Log.
·  Fire Drill
·  Fire Extinguisher Checks
·  First Aid Kit
·  Crisis Management Plan, Universal Precautions, and all Emergency Procedures Reviewed
·  Replace or verify that batteries have been replaced in ALL smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
·  Tornado Drill
Cleaning Inspections
______The following inspections below have been
completed prior to the socialization.
·  Indoor Cleaning/Inspection (including bathroom facilities)
·  Outdoor Cleaning and Safety Inspection (if going outdoors)
Actions Taken:
/
Socialization Requirements
____Socialization plan posted and visible to parents
____ Product recall notebook available
____ Safety Caps on Outlets
_ __ Diapers available
____ Formula: check expiration and dispose of expired
items
____ Baby Food: check expiration dates and dispose
of expired items
____ Diaper Disposable Bags
____ First Aid Kit readily available
Sanitation
____Bleach water solution (or approved substitute)
prepared at a concentration between 50 to 100
parts per million (1 tsp. to 1 tbsp per gallon cold
water)
____Test strips are used to test the concentration of
the bleach solution
____ Mouthed Toy Bin available
____Sanitizer available for changing table
____ Diaper pail emptied and sanitized (after socialization)

Staff Signature: Staff Signature:

Staff Signature: Staff Signature:

Original FES/ Copy: PSC, CFS

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