Infant Toddler Development Training
Module 5, Lesson 2

Introduction

Now that we have looked at an overview of families in the Early Steps system, we will explore the importance of developing partnerships with them. Effective family-centered information gathering techniques and the importance of good communication and listening skills will be explained.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Describe the importance of developing partnerships with families.
2. Recognize the effect that cultures, ethnicities and family experiences have on communication with families.
3. Articulate the role that attitudes and beliefs about families and cultural diversity play in developing effective parent partnerships.
4. Identify key components of a family-centered information gathering process.
• First Contacts
• Evaluation and assessment
• Services in everyday routines, activities and places
• Identifying priorities, issues and concerns
5. Demonstrate an understanding of:
• The importance of first impressions
• Family information gathering strategies
6. Discuss the impact of personal styles on communication and interaction with families.

Resources

The following resources are those necessary for the completion of this lesson. Learners may want to access and print hard copies of the resources prior to beginning the lesson and for future reference. Some resource documents can be found in the Resource Bank. Others are available online.

• Cultural Awareness and Interactions with Families
• Different Perspectives Worksheet
• Dimensions Of Family and Professional Partnerships: Constructive Guidelines for Collaboration
• Our Journey with Families: Service Delivery in Natural Environments in Rural Areas

Key Words

Definitions of key words are found in the glossary.

• Services in everyday routines, activities, and places (ERAP)
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Low and High Context Cultures

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