Why the First Week Matters:
Children return to your classroom on January 2nd energized, maybe a little chaotic, and probably tired from holiday celebrations. It is very natural to feel that temptation to jump straight into the curriculum and routines.
But research shows something important: the first week back after a break shapes how families view their partnership with you for the entire year ahead. So what if, instead of rushing into routines, we attempt to deepen connection and build a genuine family partnership in the first couple of weeks of the new year?
Aaliya also planned something different for 2026. And it transformed her entire January. Let us see how.
What Aaliya Did: Invite Families to Teach (Starting This Week)
On January 2nd, Aaliya sent families this message:
“Welcome back! We’re excited to step into 2026 together. This week, we’re doing something different: we’d love to learn FROM you and your families. Is there a tradition, story, song, skill, or celebration from your family or culture that you’d like to share with our classroom as we begin this New Year together?
You could:
- Come in for 15 minutes and teach us something
- Or send a short video (just 2-3 minutes)
- Share a photo and we’ll talk about it
- Tell us a story that matters to your family
There’s no ‘right’ way. We just want to know what makes YOUR family special.”
The genius of this: it’s immediate, it’s simple, and families can participate in whatever way works for their schedule.
What Happened When Families Responded:
Tanya and Tanmay—Monday, January 5th
Tanya and Tanmay read the invitation and thought: We can do this.
They came in on Monday morning with small clay oil lamps. Tanmay spent 15 minutes explaining: “In our Indian tradition, we light diyas to welcome new beginnings. The light represents hope and fresh energy.” He let each child touch a lamp, smell the oil, and feel the warmth. Sophie sat mesmerized.
That evening, Sophie asked her parents: “Can we do this at home?”
Her mother texted Aaliya: “Sophie finally understands her family’s traditions matter, not only at home but now also at school. That changes everything about how she sees herself.”
Dylan, Zara’s father —Wednesday, January 7th
Dylan couldn’t come during class time (work schedule). So he sent a 90-second video recorded on his phone showing himself ringing a bell at home and explaining: “In my family, we ring bells to shake off the old year and invite new energy. What would you shake off if you had a bell?” Additionally, he sent a pair of big brass bells to show them to the class with his daughter, Zara, to the child care center.
Aaliya played the video during circle time. Zara beamed: “That’s my dad. He’s teaching you about our family.” And then Aaliys showed the bells to the children and allowed them to ring them one at a time, experiencing the ritual from Zara’s family.
Anika, Leo’s Mother—Friday, January 9th
Anika came in during circle time, just for 10 minutes. She brought a candle and explained Leo’s favorite way to welcome something new: “We sit quietly and notice the warmth and light. That’s how Leo feels safe.”
She lit a candle. The room got quiet. Children simply sat with it. One child whispered, “This feels different. I like it.”
Leo’s mother later wrote: “Thank you for showing my son that his quiet, sensory way of being in the world is something beautiful to teach, not something to fix.”
Why This Works (The Science)
When families are positioned as teachers and experts—not just attendees or helpers—children internalize something crucial about their home culture. [Henderson & Mapp, 2002] They learn: My family’s way of doing things is valuable. My culture matters here.
Research also shows that this kind of authentic family participation strengthens home-school relationships more than any parent-teacher conference can. [Pushor & Rosebrgh, 2008] Families feel genuinely known, not just managed.
The Pyramid Model Piece
From a Pyramid Model perspective, this is Tier 1 foundational work: strong relationships and supportive environments. You’re not waiting for challenging behaviors to address. You’re building relationships so strong that challenges become easier to navigate together. [National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations, 2020]
This is best practice, not extra work.
What Families Will Remember
Months from now, families may not remember your January lesson plans, but they’ll remember:
- The moment their family was positioned as a teacher
- How their child’s face lit up seeing their parent respected at school
- Feeling genuinely known, not just managed
That memory shapes whether they stay engaged all year. Whether they trust you with challenges. Whether they become true partners in their child’s education.
Start This Week
You don’t need permission or a curriculum. You just need:
- Send the invitation (today)
- Welcome whoever comes
- Notice what shifts
Aaliya was amazed at how many families wanted to participate once they were genuinely invited to teach.
You will be too.
What tradition could your families share this week? Send that invitation and see what happens.