[Haley]

This can be a very sensitive topic to bring up with a parent. This is where observation and documenting can be very helpful. When bringing up your concerns with a parent, I would make sure you bring up some positives about their child as well. Then refer to your documentation so that you can say, “I noticed on Wednesday when we did this work….child did not…..” so that they have a specific time and activity where you saw a red flag. Never tell a parent they need to do anything but you could say, it never hurts to have (so and so) check them out and make sure everything is okay and let them know you also want the best for the child and for them to succeed.

[Jailee]

It is important before the discussion to outline the points you want to discuss, making sure to list positives along with the points of concern. Be sure to be an active listener with all of those involved in the discussion, as well as respectful and kind. Ensure the parents that this discussion is meant for the benefit of the child.

[Scion]

Overall, I think it’s important to remain factual and logical about the information you’re about to share, while ensuring you are being as polite and accommodating to the family’s frayed emotions as possible. Before you go to the parents and/or family of the child in question, you need to have done good and thorough documented objective observations of the child– data that is based on evidence, and not opinion, as the module puts it. You want to come to the meeting or discussion with the family prepared and with resources. We don’t want to give the families reason to feel as if they are backed into a corner and need to get defensive or deflective. We want to come to them with a well prepared discussion as well as some options and referrals for moving forward. Everything we do and say is supposed to be for the best of the child, after all.

[Amber]

One good way to approach a parent about developmental screening is to start by asking if they observe similar challenges at home, in an environment where the child is possibly more comfortable. If the challenges are observed at both home, and in the center, it would be important to discuss with the parent what the next steps would be.

[Ella]

Think about what you’re going to say beforehand and possibly script out key points you want to hit, being careful and caring are really important when talking to parents and keeping your tone in check is important too so the parent doesn’t get upset or feel like you don’t care.

[Alyssa]

I think it situations like this, it is best to be open and honest while also being prepared to listen and understand questions or concerns. Plan out your discussion points and bring documentation regarding development if permitted. Discuss milestones and successes with parent as well to let them know things their child is succeeding with. Be respectful and supportive, provide resources

[Kiley Kaye]

Good ways to speak with parents about these difficult subjects is to get input from another coworker before approaching them to come up with a sort of script to minimize any upset that might be caused. Good documentation of your own observations regarding the child will be paramount for backing up your input, but also for informing the parents and a medical doctor with as much information as possible to come up with a plan of action. It is best to have a list of local resources to connect the parents to the next steps for treatment. Everything is to be kept confidential, and only necessary parties may be involved in this process.

[melissa]

Make sure on what you are going to say with the parent. Parents can get defensive but as long as you have documentation of it then it will be easier to speak.

[Maya]

I actually had to do a screening for a child and it was during a conference when I tried discussing it with a parent it did not go well. So had to bring in a higher person which was actually my mentor teacher. My teacher explain to the parents how important it is for that child and that it is not a bad thing it is just so we can help the child and meet them where they are at. I think if I had changed it I would’ve talk to coworkers and talk about what I would say and show them the document and suggest giving the child a screening and then give them either a link or a number that they can call to get that set up. But really we could be talking about that kind of stuff with parents before conferences and letting them know that these little things are happening and this is what we’ve been seeing. That way it will not be a surprise to them once conference comes.

[maria]

I would talk to the parent abut what I noticed right away and ask if they had noticed the same at home. If I get an agreeable response then I would follow up with the checklist I will be using. I can show the list to the parent and have them fill it out at home and I do the same in the classroom. I would also like to hear some of the situations at home, for example the environment situation and time of day since they are different from the school environment and school routine. We can schedule a meeting then compare notes and agree to what works for the child to be successful.

[sadie]

Have all the information, and evidence ready to show the parent. Have resources available to aid the family in figuring out next steps. keep information confidential.

[Kaitlyn]

When approaching a parent about the developmental screening of a child, it is very important that we know and prepare properly on how we plan on delivering this information over to the parents. Providing proper documentation and reliable resources our center has available is vital when passing along information.

[Hannah]

What are some good ways to approach a parent about the developmental screening of their child?

This is a very tricky subject to talk to parents about because no parent wants to hear that their child could potentially be developmentally delayed. As many others have said, it is best to script out what you’re going to say so that you say enough but that you also don’t say too much. Provide them with your observations and documentation so that they can visually see and understand what you are talking about. I would keep a calm tone and validate their feelings. I would also talk with other teachers about what they would say if they had to talk with parents about a developmental delay. I would not share any information about the child due to privacy and respect. Answer questions that the parents have and find out the answers if you do not know them. Lastly, provide them with what’s next steps and resources, and assure them that you will be there right beside them every step of the way.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by  Hannah Sale.

[Brienne]

Plan ahead what you want to have a discussion about with the parents, and have valid gathered evidence to show

[Rebekah]

If I felt that a child under my care needed a referral for developmental screening and I

brought it up with the child’s parents, I would start by sharing positives with them about their

child. I would be sure that the parent trusts that I care for their child and have their best

interest in mind, and then I would bring up my concerns.

2. Before talking to a parent or caregiver, I need to consider the amount of observing I have

done on the child, and I need to consider how confident I am in what I am observing.