Early Learning Project
November 17-19, 2003Communicating with Parents during Sensitive or Difficult SituationsKaren Stephens
Director of Illinois State University Child Care Center
Web Resources
- When You Have a Problem
It can be difficult to talk to parents about a behavior problem or possible delay in development. How should you share concerns with parents?
http://www.nncc.org/Guidance/dc16_when.problem.html - On Our Minds. Talking to Families of Infants and Toddlers about Developmental Delays
http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/201001/OnOurMindsWeb0110.pdf - You Are Not Alone: For Parents When They Learn That Their Child
Has a Disability
Understanding the feelings of a parent who learns a child may have a disability may help a teacher who needs to discuss this possibility.
http://www.kidsource.com/NICHCY/parenting.disab.all.4.2.html - Handling Complaints and Solving Problems
Here are suggested steps to take when a problem arises between a parent and child care or preschool staff.
http://www.nncc.org/Families/hand.complnt.html - Families and Teachers as Partners
To work well with families, teachers need to learn specific skills.
http://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/browse-our-publications/families-and-teachers-as-partners - Communicating with Culturally Diverse Parents of Exceptional
Children. ERIC Digest.
Teachers and other professionals need to be aware of the various perspectives or communication styles common to diverse cultures. The ways people deal with feelings--especially disappointment, anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and anger--vary considerably, and often it is not easy to discern how parents are reacting to the realization that their child has a disability.
http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9220/diverse.htm - Talking to Parents About Autism: Online Video
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/learn-signs/talking-parents-about-autism-action-kit
- Conversación con los padres sobre el autismo: video
http://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/docs/talking_to_parents/autismcalltoactspa_2013.pdf - Family-Professional Partnerships
Learn about building trusting family-professional partnerships when working with families of young children.
http://community.fpg.unc.edu/connect-modules/learners/module-4
Additional Resources:
- Talking With Parents When Concerns Come Up
Author(s):Morgan, Elizabeth
Publication Date: January 1989
Source: Young Children, 44(2), 52-56 - Parents and Teachers as Partners: Issues and Challenges
Author(s): Rockwell, Robert E,; Andre, Lynda C.; Hawley, Mary K.
Publication Date: 1996
Availability: New York, NY: Harcourt Brace Publishers - So This Is Normal Too? Teachers and Parents Working Out Developmental
Issues in Young Children
Author(s):Deborah Hewitt
Publication Date: 1995
Availability: St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press - The following resources are available for a fee from Child Care
Information Exchange.
http://www.childcareexchange.com/ - High Maintenance Parent or Parent Partner-Working with a parent's
concern
Author(s): Gonzalez-Mena, Janet; Stonehouse, Anne
Publication Date: July/Aug. 2003
Source: Child Care Information Exchange - Putting Out the Fires of Conflict
Author(s): Gillan, Christine
Publication Date: May 2003
Source: Child Care Information Exchange - First Steps to Talking with Family and Staff
Authors(s): Eisenberg, Eileen
Publication Date: May/June 2002
Source: Child Care Information Exchange - Working with a High Maintenance Parent-Building Trust and Respect
Through Communication
Author(s): Stonehouse, Anne; Gonzalez-Mena, Janet
Publication Date: Nov./Dec. 2001
Source: Child Care Information Exchange - High-Maintenance Parent or Cultural Differences?
Author(s): Gonzalez-Mena, Janet
Publication Date: July/Aug. 2000
Source: Child Care Information Exchange
ERIC Database: Selected Records
To search the ERIC database for resources on this topic, use this search strategy: descriptors "literacy" or "emergent literacy." Combine with descriptors "early childhood education" or "preschool education" or "preschool children."
How to Obtain ERIC Documents and Journal Articles:
References identified with an ED (ERIC document)or EJ (ERIC journal) are cited in the ERIC database. ERIC Documents (citations identified by an ED number) may be available in full text from ERIC at no cost at the ERIC Web site: http://www.eric.ed.gov. Journal articles are available from the original journal, interlibrary loan services, or article reproduction clearinghouses.
If you would like to conduct your own free ERIC database searches via the Internet, go directly to http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/basic.jsp
- ERIC Journal No.: EJ528184
Breaking Bad News to Parents
Author(s): Miller, Susan A.
Source: Early Childhood News, v8 n4 p26-27 Jul-Aug 1996
Publication Date: 1996
Abstract: Discusses the difficulty of breaking bad news to parents, whether the news pertains to center policy or a child's behavior. Provides strategies for presenting news and for helping parents to overcome difficult situations, including gathering facts in advance, arranging an appropriate time, and having resource materials available for parents. - ERIC Journal No.: EJ635679
Children with Special Needs: Helping Parents through the Grief
Author(s): Oekerman, Rebecca
Source: Texas Child Care, v25 n1 p10-13 Sum 2001
Publication Date: 2001
Abstract: Discusses how caregivers can help parents of children with disabilities through the grieving process.
ERIC Journal No.: EJ510056
Parents & Teachers: "Can We Talk?"
Author(s): Wilson, Cynthia L.
Source: LD Forum, v20 n2 p31-33 Win 1995
Publication Date: 1995
Abstract: Ways to facilitate communication between parents and teachers of students with learning disabilities are discussed, along with communicating with culturally diverse parents. - ERIC Journal No.: EJ510015
Improving Relationship Skills for Parent Conferences
Author(s): Perl, James
Source: TEACHING Exceptional Children, v28 n1 p29-31 Fall 1995
Publication Date: 1995
Abstract: Suggestions are offered to special educators for improving communication at parent-teacher conferences. A checklist for self-monitoring in these areas is included. - ERIC Document No.: ED343690
Parent-Teacher Conferencing in Early Childhood Education
Author(s): Lawler, S. Dianne
Publication Date: 1991
Availability: NEA Professional Library, P.O. Box 509, West Haven, CT 06516
Abstract: This book discusses several types of parent-teacher conferences and issues relevant to parent-teacher conferences. Chapters 5 through 7 describe characteristics of conferences that relate to academic performance, referrals for handicapped children, and discipline problems. - ERIC Journal No.: EJ584437
The Parent Panel: Supporting Children with Special Needs
Author(s): Duckworth, Susanna V.; Kostell, Patricia H.
Source: Childhood Education, v75 n4 p199-203 Sum 1999
Publication Date: 1999
Abstract: Describes the "parent panel," an approach to building appropriate communication, resolving conflicts, and creating mutual respect between teachers and parents of children with disabilities. - ERIC Document No.: ED426547
What Research Says about Communicating with Parents of Children with Disabilities and What Teachers Should Know
Author(s): Lillie, Timothy
Publication Date: November 14, 1998
Availability: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage
Abstract: This paper summarizes the research literature on the best ways for teachers to communicate with parents of children with disabilities.
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