1. Collaborating with Families

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

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