Megan Grable

April 5, 2019
Stop and Reflect #3
ECED 301

1. Practices for Developing an Initial Friendly Relationship (Beginning Ground)

Identify three practices from Handout 4.1 and Activity 4.10a that you believe are
particularly appropriate to use with Aaron in developing an initial friendly relationship,
and describe what China will do to implement these practices.

1. The first practice that should be used would for China to re-frame her values so that she
can better understand what Aaron is going through as a family. Learning another families
story and being able to see what is going on in their home life could make a big
difference in creating a respectful relationship with the parent.
2. Learning how the parent would prefer to be communicated with. From the video it
doesn’t seem like the timing is the right time to talk with Aaron. Maybe asking him if
there is a break time he could take where he could make a phone call would work better.
3. Sharing positives with dad can make a big difference in creating a safe place where they
can communicate. When the parent feels like the teacher is able to see all the good things
about a child they will feel more comfortable opening up.

2. Practices for Making Shared Decisions (Middle Ground)

Identify three practices from Handout 4.1 and Activity 4.10a that you believe are particularly
appropriate to use with Aaron in making shared decisions, and describe what China will do to
implement these practices.
1. Provide research based strategies that may help the child be as successful as possible and
talk about ways that these strategies can be implanted both at home and at school.
2. It’s important to harken back to previous conversations and stories when talking to
parents to ensure that they know you are actively listening to their experiences. This can
go a long way for creating a solid relationship.
3. Asking the parents to share what is important for the teachers to know about them. We
use a strategy where we ask parents to tell us about the holidays they celebrate and don’t
celebrate, and to share what makes their family unique. We have quite a few families
who refuse to celebrate Columbus Day and we make sure to honor that. (It is no longer a
holiday we are closed for as a center.) each family has something unique they bring to the
classroom and empowering them to feel comfortable in sharing this will make a big
difference.
3. Practices for Addressing Challenging Issues (Firm Ground)
Identify three practices from Handout 4.1 and Activity 4.10a that you believe are particularly
appropriate to use with Aaron in addressing challenging issues, and describe what China will do
to implement these practices.
1. Reflecting on cultural differences and seeing how they can sway our opinions when
looking at child rearing. Have open dialogue about how the difference of opinions can be
bridged and coming together for solutions.
2. Giving clear timelines of expected outcomes is beneficial. Sticking to a follow up routine.
If you say you’re going to call and do a check in every Friday about the child’s progress
you must do it. Making consistency for the family a priority.
3. Ask for parent feedback on how best to solve issues and try out these strategies together.
Honor the parent as the first teacher and the one who wants what is best for the child.