Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/it-is-not/5024975/
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In early education, families are the center of our work. Young children’s everyday lives are closely tied to their family; each child’s life begins with these close bonds. Adult relatives nurture, support and respond to their children’s needs. For families of children with disabilities, there are often additional responsibilities and stressors that come from the delays or disorders that their children experience. The way early childhood teachers and staff interact with families matters so much because your support can keep the connection between family and child strong. Your ongoing interactions, communication and support can make life easier and better for children with disabilities and their families.
As you may have experienced, families are as diverse as the children you serve—their strengths, challenges, and needs vary widely. Meeting families where they are requires patience and openness, understanding the dynamics of each family and each individual in that family. They may be coping with having to adjust expectations for their child’s life, struggling with day-to-day routines, and/or worrying about their child’s future independence. Thinking about their needs and being open to the solutions families bring to your program will help ...