Working With Parents and the Community Top 10 Tips, 2005

#1 Send a clear and consistent message that you value the child Formal and Informal messages have significant impact Formal and Informal messages have significant impact Excitement and optimism Excitement and optimism Dont compare child to others Dont compare child to others Demonstrate how child has improved Demonstrate how child has improved Listen to and respect the child Listen to and respect the child

#2 Put yourself in the parents position It may be difficult for parents to fully understand the teachers position and vice versa It may be difficult for parents to fully understand the teachers position and vice versa What is it like to live with a child that has special needs (what is it like for the parent)? What is it like to live with a child that has special needs (what is it like for the parent)? How can parents navigate through the levels of school bureaucracy? How can parents navigate through the levels of school bureaucracy? How do they get access to programs, funding, services? How do they get access to programs, funding, services? Parents are the best advocate for the student Parents are the best advocate for the student

#3 Demonstrate an authentic interest in the parents goals for their children Create rapport Create rapport Have a relaxed open environment Have a relaxed open environment Avoid jargon Avoid jargon Be careful with your choice of language Be careful with your choice of language Avoid being the expert with the answers Avoid being the expert with the answers Talk with and not at the parent Talk with and not at the parent Value parents insights and opinions Value parents insights and opinions

#4 On-going conversation Positive conversations Positive conversations Home to school and with others who support the child Home to school and with others who support the child Have a primary contact person (case manager) Have a primary contact person (case manager) Respect that some parents do not want extra attention (be like everyone else) Respect that some parents do not want extra attention (be like everyone else)

#5 Expand awareness of cultural diversity Multicultural lessons/curriculum Multicultural lessons/curriculum Be sensitive to customs Be sensitive to customs Avoid judging others through your own cultural lense Avoid judging others through your own cultural lense

#6 Challenge Stereotypes Some people tend to lump parents together (e.g., single parents) Some people tend to lump parents together (e.g., single parents) Some assume that behaviour problems are the fault of the home Some assume that behaviour problems are the fault of the home Others??? Others???

#7 Create forums for planning and problem-solving Bill 13 regulates the inclusion of parents Bill 13 regulates the inclusion of parents Some parents are intimidated by IEP meetings (e.g., table of experts) Some parents are intimidated by IEP meetings (e.g., table of experts) Hold on-going meetings for adequate program planning Hold on-going meetings for adequate program planning Celebrate success Celebrate success

#8 Support inclusion for all children Join alliances and advocate Join alliances and advocate

#9 Persevere with Building Partnerships Dont write parents off Dont write parents off Keep inviting Keep inviting Find new ways to build partnerships Find new ways to build partnerships Arrange flexible meeting times Arrange flexible meeting times Help remove barriers (child care) Help remove barriers (child care)

#10 Be aware of your own non- verbal messages Practice active listening Clarify messages Remove barriers (Stop making parents sit on those uncomfortable, little chairs)