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Media education in kindergarten works best when educators and families work together.

Children encounter media both at home and in their everyday lives, which makes cooperation between kindergarten and families especially important. Open dialogue with parents helps educators better understand children's media experiences and creates opportunities for shared reflection and learning.

This section presents practical approaches for involving families in media education, from informal conversations and shared activities to parent meetings and collaborative projects.

Talking with Parents

Everyday conversations with parents help educators understand children's media environments and build trust. These exchanges can open space for reflection, questions, and shared learning.

Persona Method

Method to focus on your group of parents that you want to reach and specify on what they need
Survey for Parents

If you need more information about how parents deal with media education at home you can ask them in a small survey.
Case Example: Smartphone Ban in Kindergarten

How to initiate communication with parents about smartphone policies

→ Explore communication methods in the Media Education Toolbox

Shared Activities with Families

Some media topics can be explored together with children and parents. These shared activities encourage discussion, curiosity, and reflection on everyday media experiences.

Media Diary My Media Heroes Challenge with Parents and Kids Interactive Rally for Kids and Parents

→ Discover shared activities in the Media Education Toolbox

Discussions and Reflection Activities

Group discussions and playful reflection activities can help parents think together about media habits and experiences.

Discussion Board Quiz — Make a Guess What Would You Do?

→ Explore discussion methods in the Media Education Toolbox

Formats for Working with Families

Media education can be explored together with families in many different ways. Depending on time, resources, and the needs of parents, educators can choose informal conversations, structured meetings, or creative events that involve both children and families.

  • Individual
    Short conversation in passing, for example during pickup time. Share an observation of the child, ask questions.
  • Parent-Teacher Meeting
    Parent teacher meetings are the most common setting to convey information to parents in the kindergarten. They are often organized groupwise, take place in the afternoon or evening, involve a bunch of information and give room for parents' questions.
  • Parents Café
    A parents café is an open space for families to meet, connect and spend time together. It can have a fixed date (ex. every first monday per month) and it can have a fixed place (library, community centre, kindergarten etc.). It has a loose structure, children are welcome and can come and go freely.
  • Working Group
    A working group is a fixed group of engaged parents and teachers, who work out ideas, a concept or projects connected to media education. It can lay the foundation for the kindergarten's concept on media education if none exists.
  • Parties and Festivities
    Events like parties and festive occasions in kindergarten can be also a setting to provide ideas or inspiration on media education to parents in a fun and easy way.
  • Presentations and Theatre
    A theatre show or other creative presentations can be a good way to convey certain stories and ideas to families. It is an opportunity to involve the kids and open up discussion about certain topics. Alternatively the play can be prepared with kindergarten teachers (ex. puppet theatre).
  • Interactive Project for Parents & Kids
    In this setting parents are invited to do something with their children, linked to media education. It is a nonformal learning situation that can take place in the kindergarten or at other places. The group should not be too large, so it does not end in chaos.
  • Group Chat
    A group chat with parents can be a low key opportunity to send information to parents. It can be managed by parents speakers.

→ Learn more about settings for cooperation in the Media Education Toolbox

Materials for Families

Educators can support conversations with parents by sharing simple materials that encourage reflection and discussion about children's media experiences at home. These resources can help parents better understand the goals of media education in kindergarten and provide ideas for exploring media together with their children.

Poster with tips for parents

Clear and accessible visual reminders highlighting key ideas about children's media use.
Leaflets with tips for parents

Short texts explaining media education and offering suggestions for everyday situations at home.

→ Explore materials for families in the Resources section