Workshops/How To Work With Families

• Child Focus
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
• Foster Parent Training - Options For Youth
• Inclusion in Schools: Real and Perceived Views of Full Inclusion - Dark Ages? Bright Futures
• Infants and Toddlers in Your Care: How to Nurture 0-3 Year-Olds in Group Care and at Home
• Learning and Teaching Styles
• Preparing Personnel to Work With Parents and Families
• Reducing Stress in the Lives of Young Chlldren
• Sample Forms for Teachers
• Ask Dr. Susan

Conversation

Think about what you “mean” to your child

Think about what your foster and natural children need from you

WHAT IS SPOKEN TO A CHILD IS SPOKEN BACK TO THE CHILD BY HIMSELF, AND TRANSFERRED INTO SILENT SPEECH

Think about yourself as one who “assists” children in life style situations both academic and developmental, but does not overprotect or maltreat any child. 

You and your spouse must be very clear with each other about that.

1. Plan a very specific family communication system in detail, as soon as possible, starting today.  Take time to do this away from the child or children, then talk about family rules, responsibilities, privileges and consequences (not punishment, not rewards, just logical pre-arranged consequences.)
2. Identify your most important family rules and keep the number short and altruistic.  For example, say, “there is no hitting or yelling permitted.  In this family we talk. You are permitted to ask permission to do or say anything… and you have the right to share your feelings.”
3. Introduce the concept of family meetings, which might occur at several meal times, which the children help prepare.  These meals or meetings allow you to explain the system and reiterate the family’s daily routines.
4. Organized daily routines result in better more positive family habits.   Modeling, offering feed back, instructing, questioning, main idea structuring are your tools.  Weak time management skills result in poor habits all around.  

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