CREATING LINKAGES Chapter 14

LINKAGES Linkages are cooperative efforts between and among –Co-workers/child care providers –Parents and family –Government –Allied professionals –Community resources

SYNERGY Combined efforts are more effective than individual efforts in providing maximum protection and prevention in health, safety, and nutrition

COOPERATION Cooperation is based on: Trust and respect Trust and respect are based on “successful communication

SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATION Based on Trust and respect Genuine interest and concern Active listening Frequent communication, including positives and well as negatives Maintain professional attitude

Cont’d Awareness of family circumstances and needs Observation and verbal communication Confidentiality

DIVERSITY CULTURE LANGUAGE SOCIOECONOMIC CLASS RELIGIOUS BELIEF RACE EXPERIENCE ETC.

Cont’d Diversity of the families enrolled must be reflected in all aspects of how the school is run: curriculum literature parent communication and education holidays

Cont’d Children should be taught to value their own circumstances, and to be aware of and positive toward people from different circumstances Anti-Bias Curriculum, by Louise Derman- Sparks and the ABC Task Force

Cultural Conflict May develop from: 1. Expectations of teachers and students –Academic –Behavioral –Manners –Safety –Nutrition –Health 2. Bi-cultural conflict between parents & kids

ADVOCACY Working to meet the child’s needs Within the school With parents and family With government agencies With the community

CREATING A TEAM Working in a way that provides for mutual growth, change, and improved understanding Teamwork may be more effective than hierarchical relationships because it requires communication that leads to agreement and a sharing of ideas in developing solutions to common problems