While Children Attend
After children have started a program, the process of involving family continues. Looking at the roles that families play in the assessment process, let’s explore some ways families are involved while children are attending a child care program.
Experts
During the assessment process have a conference (or two!) and allow ample time for the families to share information about the child and share specifics about their home environment.
Team member
If assessments are pre-scheduled or completed at specific times during the year let parents know before assessments begin. Keep them up to date on your assessment plans and goals and anything that you might need from them. Make sure parents understand the purpose of the assessment, and what you hope to gain from it.
Learners
After assessments are complete share information with families about the information gathered through the observation and assessment strategies. These conversations could be formal or informal. When sharing information be prepared to share strengths, goals, concerns, assessment results or notes, and resources.
More formal, in person conversations should be used for tough conversations where you might be sharing specific concerns, or conversations that would benefit from being in a quieter location and undisturbed.
Advocate
Use the assessment information and conferences to help families start to advocate for their child and the needs of the child. Be sure to share information about resources that might be available for them.
All STARS Connection
Did you know that communication and sharing information with families is an All STARS Standard?
Programs should:
- Have two-way communication with families,
- Share community resources with families, and
- Share instructional assessment findings with families