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November 17-19, 2003
Communicating with Parents during Sensitive or Difficult Situations
Karen Stephens
Director of Illinois State University Child Care Center

Web Resources

  • Parents Are People, Too: Leading with Empathy and Compassion
    Parents feel hurt when they hear or see a problem in their child. Teachers can help by listening.
    http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.be6fc08484eb7aeeb85516f762108a0c/
  • 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
  • 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
  • Parent Partnerships: What Programs Can Do to Make Them Happen
    Staff with positive attitudes see parents as valuable in helping respond to a child's needs.
    http://www2.nl.edu/twal/public/DL_Winter_2003.pdfEditor's Note: this url is no longer active.
  • 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.ericfacility.net/ericdigests/ed333619.html Editor's note: This url has changed: http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9220/diverse.htm.
  • Parenting Exchange
    Electronic parenting advice column by Karen Stephens. https://secure.ccie.com/catalog/cciecatalog.php?cPath=11Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.

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/index.php
  • 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/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=advanced


  • 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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The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.

The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.

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