Communicating With Parents During Sensitive or Difficult Situations

IEL Resources

• Tip Sheet: Connecting with Parents: “But He Doesn’t Do That at Home!”
• Tip Sheet: Is My Child OK?
• Podcast: Listening to Family Voices in Early Childhood Programs

Web Resources

• Discussing Difficult Issues
  This short article by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources provides several things to consider when discussing difficult issues with parents.
• How to Communicate with Parents 
  This short article from the Zero to Three website discusses three key steps to take after discussing difficult topics with parents.
• Family-Professional Partnerships
  This CONNECT professional development module provides videos and other training materials to promote trusting partnerships with families.
• Tips for Talking with Parents
  This short article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a sample parent-teacher conversation and some tips for having difficult conversations with parents.
• You Are Not Alone: For Parents When They Learn That Their Child Has a Disability
  This article, written by a parent of a child with a disability, describes common reactions to learning that your child has a disability. Spanish
• Tips for Child Care Providers to Communicate with Parents Concerns about Children’s Development
  This article on the Extension website provides specific tips for communicating concerns with parents.