Teaching Activities for Families
Professional Roles and Service Options
You have specific roles as an individual and as a team member or interagency group.
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You are an EI professional
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Share mutual pride in Michael’s abilities as a 14 month-old with foster family.
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Ask what Jennifer wants to focus on.
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Avoid “one-way” decision-making, there are many ways to do most things!
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You are both consultant and a consultee – not a judge.
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Use the families’ full participation every time.
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Use consultative conversations, not mini lectures.
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Avoid critical judgmental statements.
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You are one expert, Jennifer is the other expert.
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Be an expert skill-builder between agency, foster family, and parents
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Be an expert conversationalist
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Be an expert collaborator
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You are a home-based service provider.
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Assume parents have strengths, capacity to nurture
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Use activities and concrete tasks to obtain cooperation ad trust
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Use your own successes: As an experienced parent
As a family member
As a member of a group
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Teach Jennifer to recognize herself as a “first” teacher.