This document discusses building strong relationships in early childhood communities. Participants at a professional development institute were asked to discuss in groups: their local community, why families and caregivers of young children use the local library, and a meaningful relationship a participant established with a patron by fostering the relationship, the impact on their life, and how being together in community is crucial to healthy development.

1. Fall 2016 1NYS Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
Your Community
STRONG RELATIONSHIPS
At your tables:
 Describe your community.
 Why do the families and caregivers of young children in your
community come to the library?
 Describe a meaningful and lasting relationship you have
established with a patron. What did you do to foster the
relationship? What impact do you think you had on their
lives?

2. Fall 2016 2NYS Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
Building Community
STRONG RELATIONSHIPS
Being together in community is crucial to healthy development.