I like how you are seeing this situation as a positive opportunity to support the child care provider. This situation might also be a good one for asking the provider about what she would be doing if you weren’t coming and asking if you can just join that activity (like on your comment on the playful blog post). Finding ways for HER to see the collaboration as a positive opportunity could go a long way too!

I think its also important to remember that we are there to serve as models, too. I would jump on opportunities to show the care provider how many different things I can get accomplished while still easily including the child. She may be more willing to get the child out if she has seen your success in including the child in her daily activities.

This is a great example of collaboration, Lauren! It makes so much sense for all of the child’s caregivers to get together to develop/review the IFSP or just to talk about intervention issues. The daycare provider really is such an important part of the child’s team and often has great insights to share. I think the service coordinator or early intervention service provider can do much to support this partnership!

Thanks Sara for such great suggestions! I love your positive approach to this issue. Encouraging the child care provider by pointing out what she does well is a really nice, subtle way to make a big difference. I think you could easily pair your compliment with asking the care provider what she thinks the child is learning, why she has a hard time holding him, etc. to help her think about what she’s doing. Complimenting the good things and helping her think about why they are good can really help the caregiver improve how she interacts with the child!

I find that complimenting the daycare provider consistently on what they are doing RIGHT sets me up for better reactions if I need to address difficult topics. For example, if the daycare provider gets the baby OUT of the crib, immediately saying for (baby’s name) “THANK YOU (daycare provier) for helping me out, I feel so good when I stretch!”. I’ve also talked about previous children that I’ve seen (or made up situations -shh!!) of Another child that had Such positive improvements when this and this were done. For example, saying “You know, (name of child) reminds of a little one that I used to see in early intervention. They also had (difficulties) and they had a great daycare provider just like you that made such an impact on their life by doing (strategies, exercises) every day.” Sadly, sometimes I feel like some daycare providers think some cases are “hopeless” and don’t realize what a difference they can make with consistent work.
I also agree with sympathizing with their busy day. Maybe you can find a “gentle” child in the room that always plays nicely or enjoys babies and say “If you’re ever on the floor playing with (gentle child), get (EI child) on the floor with you to practice interactions with other children!”

When talking about this with the parent I would say “I think (daycare provider) is hesitant to get (child) out to play when other children are running around.. Maybe before you leave the daycare you can get down on the floor and show her how to (play, exercise) with (child) when other children are around. If (provider) sees YOU doing it, maybe she will be more comfortable doing it herself.”

Just some ideas.. and hoping to hear more from others 😉