Collaborating with Families

Opening the Doors to Good Communication Understanding and Welcoming All Families: Family Diversity – each family is unique and consists of different structure. Challenges to Working with Families: Long work hours Nervous about meeting with teacher Feeling guilty leaving infants in others’ care

Establish Relationship Between Family and Teacher Show genuine concern – assure that the child is well taking care of Develop cultural competence – include materials (photos, books, music, food…) that represent children’s culture, types of families and gender images

What if the Relationship is Not Good? Responding to the complaints – listen and reflect. Explain the policy. If needed refer it to the director Discuss the issue privately with the director Let the parent and you calm down, meet again and include a third person Offer alternatives for solving problem

Keep the lines of communication open –keeping consistent contact (written and verbal messages) as well as formal conference Listen, guide and work together Be patient with families

Conducting a Conference and After the conference Getting ready for the conference Avoid interruptions Beginning the conference Listen to what family says Draw a conclusion Maintain privacy Follow up

Further Strategies for Involving Parents Parenting – parent educational workshops Communicating – news letters Volunteering – family involvement Learning at home – parents extend children’s learning by continue the subject at home Decision making – include parents in advisory board Collaborating with community – provide information about health, cultural, recreational program and services

Families in Crisis Crisis – death, illness, divorce, a new baby etc. Reassure the family to include the child in the situation Don’t overreact to the news Respect family’s confidentiality Offer yourself as a resource (refer to other agencies)

Child Abuse If suspecting child abuse, file report to National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-a-CHILD) Helping families after referral has been made