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Chapter 17

Helping Families and Communities Understand

Developmentally Appropriate Practice

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Reciprocal Relationships with Families

• Create open dialogues

• Maintain two-way communication

• Make shared decisions

• Acknowledge parent choices and goals

• Share knowledge of the child

• Involve families in assessment

• Link families with services

• Share developmental information about the child

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Teacher Attitudes

• Confidence• Acceptance• Trust building• Risk taking• Communication

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Key Issues

• Separate viewpoints– Combine separate viewpoints into one

that is comprehensive• Trust

– Open themselves to others• Change

– Develop a perception that it is in the best interest of all involved

• Knowledge base

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Enlisting Support

• Prepare• Find support• Slower is better• Include, don’t exclude• Persist as a realist

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Resolving Issues of Separate Viewpoints and Trust

• Bring the different groups together

• Create a positive atmosphere• Provide for group integration• Provide for a common focus• Allow time to explore issues

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Resolving Issues Focused on Change

• Start with consensus• Make a plan• Move slowly• Keep everyone involved

© 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Resolving Issues Related to Knowledge

• Inform, inform, inform• Inform as partners• Integrate information and

practice• Keep information flowing