Date of Award
2-19-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education
Program
Education with Emphasis in English as a Second Language
Capstone Instructor
Dr. Kelly Sadlovsky
Second Reader
Laura Ahonen
Keywords
EL, English Learner, Early Childhood, Preschool, Language, Family, Engagement, Family Engagement, Family Involvement
Abstract
Families are a child’s first teacher. Preschool students are learning and developing rapidly, while becoming accustomed to new school rules and routines. Dual language learners are a growing population in the United States. As children are learning English as a second language, parents, alongside early childhood educators, play an impactful role in each child’s development. When families and teachers work together, students will see more academic, social, emotional, and linguistic success during the early years. This paper explored a multitude of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies regarding dual language learners, family engagement, and the importance of fostering positive home school connections. The research that was studied showcased ideas of how family engagement can help support healthy language development for all students, especially those who may speak more than one language.