Teaching Children from Single-Parent Homes By: Amy Jensen

The Single-Parent Home According to the 2012 census, family groups consist of: 27% are mother-only 5% are father-only This statistic should be taken into consideration within the classroom setting and when developing curriculum www.census.gov

4 Tips for Teaching According to our textbook, “an important part of your professional preparation is to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for collaborating with single-parent families” Morrison (39). “How well early childhood professionals meet the needs of single parents can make a difference in how successful single parents are in providing for the needs of their children and other family members” (40).

1. Know Your Students Know the family situation How many live with just one parent? Is the single-parent situation the result of death, divorce, prolonged separation, single adoption, abandonment, or never having been married? What are the circumstances? Remember that every child from a single-parent home is unique and comes with a unique set of circumstances. www.gospelpublishing.com

2. Be Sensitive When teaching, be sensitive when using references to “traditional” family units. This can be especially difficult for children whose homes have been recently gone through upheaval. Don'ts: Stigmatize Use words like “broken home” Do's: Be open-minded Affirm and support “Five Ways Teachers Can Help Children From Single-Parent Families”

3. Celebrate Differences At the start of each school year, take some time to discuss differences with your students. Model acceptance Respect single-parent families Acknowledge that not every child has a mom and dad at home Give children opportunities to talk, write, or draw about their families Read books that feature different kinds of family structures “Five Ways Teachers Can Help Children From Single-Parent Families”

4. Facilitate Parental Connection to the School Single-parent families often have limited financial resources and time available, so it is important to understand the situation before taking a parent's lack of involvement as disinterest in their child and their education. Take time to call each parent at the beginning of the school year to gain an understanding of the situation at home. Understand that the parent may not be able to volunteer time like other parents are able to. Be accommodating in circumstances such as parent-teacher conferences and offer alternatives such as over the phone. “Five Ways Teachers Can Help Children from Single-Parent Families” and www.gospelpublishing.com