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Empowering
and supporting families is the best way to provide long lasting support for
children. Recent research has found that:
“…healthy development depends on the quality and reliability of a young child’s relationships with the important people in his or her life, both within and outside the family. Even the development of a child’s brain architecture depends on the establishment of these relationships.” -National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2004). Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships: Working Paper No. 1. developingchild.harvard.edu
Just like the first step to creating relationships with children is to establish trust, the same is true with their families. Once trust is established, a positive relationship can deepen into one of shared decision making, paving the way for positive conflict resolution. It is expected that professionals will work with confidentiality, kindness, and respect.
Other keys to successfully creating trusting partnerships include:
By building strong relationships with families you are more likely to provide what is best for the child you both care for.
Transitions – from home to program
Helping families and children with separation can be very challenging for all involved. Certainly when a child is new to your program you will want to be intentional about transitioning gently into the new environment and schedule.
Consider the child’s needs and how you might take action:
“…healthy development depends on the quality and reliability of a young child’s relationships with the important people in his or her life, both within and outside the family. Even the development of a child’s brain architecture depends on the establishment of these relationships.” -National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2004). Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships: Working Paper No. 1. developingchild.harvard.edu
Just like the first step to creating relationships with children is to establish trust, the same is true with their families. Once trust is established, a positive relationship can deepen into one of shared decision making, paving the way for positive conflict resolution. It is expected that professionals will work with confidentiality, kindness, and respect.
Other keys to successfully creating trusting partnerships include:
- Welcoming families: the tone of the relationship is set from the beginning so treating newly enrolled families with respect and encouragement is essential. Be sure to continue greeting families warmly every day.
- Open communication: create an environment of continuity, with consistent expectations and approaches for children at home and child care.
- Positive communication: really hearing families (active listening) and using “I statements” when speaking (more on communication will be in Module 8).
- Involvement: engage families in their children’s care support and complement the family’s role as the primary educator.
- Building parental self-esteem: find genuine means for communicating how important they are to their child.
- Encouraging competence: compliment their efforts, notice their child’s successes, and treat them as knowledgeable partners. Acknowledge emotions- provide the language and the confidence that all emotions are acceptable.
By building strong relationships with families you are more likely to provide what is best for the child you both care for.
Transitions – from home to program
Helping families and children with separation can be very challenging for all involved. Certainly when a child is new to your program you will want to be intentional about transitioning gently into the new environment and schedule.
Consider the child’s needs and how you might take action:
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