Review the following tips, from the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations, about talking with families. Discuss the information with a coach, trainer, or administrator.
Relationship-Building Practices |
Relationship-Hindering Practices |
Begin the discussion by expressing concern about the child. |
Begin the discussion by indicating that the child’s behavior is not tolerable. |
Let the parent know that your goal is to help the child. |
Indicate that the child must be punished or “dealt with” by the parent. |
Ask the parent if they have experienced concern about similar situations. |
Ask the parent if something has happened at home to cause the behavior. |
Tell the parent that you want to work with the family to help the child develop appropriate behavior and social skills. |
Indicate that the parent should take action to resolve the problem at home. |
Tell the parent about what is happening in the classroom, but only after the parent understands that you are concerned about the child, not blaming the family. |
Initiate the conversation by listing the child’s problem behavior. Discussions about problem behavior should be framed as “the child is having a difficult time,” rather than losing control. |
Offer to work with the parent in the development of a behavior-support plan that can be used at home and in the classroom. |
Leave it up to the parent to manage problems at home; develop a plan without inviting family participation. |
Emphasize that your focus will be to help the child develop the skills needed to be successful in the classroom. |
Let the parent believe that the child needs more discipline. |
Stress that if you can work together, you are more likely to be successful in helping the child learn new skills. |
Minimize the importance of helping the family understand and implement positive behavior support. |
Source: https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/docs/Talking-families-about-problem-behavior-dos-donts.pdf