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.
Type of resource:
- Resource List
Setting(s) for which the article is intended:
- Child Care Center
- Family Child Care
- Preschool Program
Intended audience(s):
- Teachers / Service providers
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):
- Infants and Toddlers (Birth To Age 3)
- Preschoolers (Age 3 Through Age 5)
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