Working With Parents Working With Parents and the Communityand the Community

Top 10 Tips, 2005Top 10 Tips, 2005

#1 Send a clear and consistent #1 Send a clear and consistent message that you value the childmessage that you value the child

Formal and Informal messages have Formal and Informal messages have significant impactsignificant impact

Excitement and optimismExcitement and optimism Don’t compare child to othersDon’t compare child to others Demonstrate how child has improvedDemonstrate how child has improved Listen to and respect the childListen to and respect the child

#2 Put yourself in the parents’ #2 Put yourself in the parents’ positionposition

It may be difficult for parents to fully understand the It may be difficult for parents to fully understand the teacher’s position and vice versateacher’s position and vice versa

What is it like to live with a child that has special What is it like to live with a child that has special needs (what is it like for the parent)?needs (what is it like for the parent)?

How can parents navigate through the levels of How can parents navigate through the levels of school bureaucracy? school bureaucracy?

How do they get access to programs, funding, How do they get access to programs, funding, services?services?

Parents are the best advocate for the studentParents are the best advocate for the student

#3 Demonstrate an authentic #3 Demonstrate an authentic interest in the parent’s goals for interest in the parent’s goals for

their childrentheir children Create rapportCreate rapport Have a relaxed open environmentHave a relaxed open environment Avoid jargonAvoid jargon Be careful with your choice of languageBe careful with your choice of language Avoid being the expert with the answersAvoid being the expert with the answers Talk with and not at the parentTalk with and not at the parent Value parents’ insights and opinionsValue parents’ insights and opinions

#4 On-going conversation#4 On-going conversation

Positive conversationsPositive conversations Home to school and with others who support Home to school and with others who support

the childthe child Have a primary contact person (case manager)Have a primary contact person (case manager) Respect that some parents do not want extra Respect that some parents do not want extra

attention (be like everyone else)attention (be like everyone else)

#5 Expand awareness of cultural #5 Expand awareness of cultural diversitydiversity

Multicultural lessons/curriculumMulticultural lessons/curriculum Be sensitive to customsBe sensitive to customs Avoid judging others through your own Avoid judging others through your own

cultural lensecultural lense

#6 Challenge Stereotypes#6 Challenge Stereotypes

Some people tend to lump parents together Some people tend to lump parents together (e.g., single parents)(e.g., single parents)

Some assume that behaviour problems are the Some assume that behaviour problems are the fault of the homefault of the home

Others???Others???

#7 Create forums for planning and #7 Create forums for planning and problem-solvingproblem-solving

Bill 13 regulates the inclusion of parentsBill 13 regulates the inclusion of parents Some parents are intimidated by IEP meetings Some parents are intimidated by IEP meetings

(e.g., table of experts)(e.g., table of experts) Hold on-going meetings for adequate program Hold on-going meetings for adequate program

planningplanning Celebrate successCelebrate success

#8 Support inclusion for all children#8 Support inclusion for all children

Join alliances and advocateJoin alliances and advocate

#9 Persevere with Building #9 Persevere with Building PartnershipsPartnerships

Don’t write parents offDon’t write parents off Keep invitingKeep inviting Find new ways to build partnershipsFind new ways to build partnerships Arrange flexible meeting timesArrange flexible meeting times Help remove barriers (child care)Help remove barriers (child care)

#10 Be aware of your own non-#10 Be aware of your own non-verbal messagesverbal messages

Practice active listeningPractice active listening

Clarify messagesClarify messages

Remove barriers Remove barriers

(Stop making parents sit on those uncomfortable, (Stop making parents sit on those uncomfortable, little chairs)little chairs)