Comments on: Seize the Opportunity to Stand Beside the Parent https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2015/01/15/seize-the-opportunity-to-stand-beside-the-parent/ Sharing What Works in Supporting Infants & Toddlers and the Families in Early Intervention Fri, 15 Oct 2021 18:07:16 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Dana Childress, M.Ed. https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2015/01/15/seize-the-opportunity-to-stand-beside-the-parent/#comment-1333 Fri, 06 Feb 2015 15:05:24 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=2338#comment-1333 In reply to michelle.

Thanks for sharing your examples, Michelle. Yes, some of my most memorable visits involved going with families on errands and helping them problem-solve ways to meet their goals during those activities. Trips to the grocery store can offer so many learning opportunities. If we can help the parent improve a problematic routine, we’ll not only help them make things easier, but even more opportunities can become available for the child too. You took an important step – rather than just talking about the grocery store struggles, you joined them there. That’s how you really make a difference!

]]> By: michelle https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2015/01/15/seize-the-opportunity-to-stand-beside-the-parent/#comment-1332 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:10:27 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=2338#comment-1332 When I worked as a Family Support Worker, I did outside play and cooking activities with the family/child during visits. I have learned that you can teach and get a lot of skills into these activities. I have even gone on a grocery shopping trip with the family and child, the family was having difficulty shopping with their child and wanted input on how to resolve some of the issues. Rather than talk about strategies I went with the family and demonstrated/share some strategies with the family while they shopped. The parent was very appreciative and implement several of the strategies that I had demonstrated or use with their child.

When I was a Itinerant teacher for the school district, instead of bringing a bag of activities or toys to the classrooms or home visit, I created a traveling lending library, I applied for a grant through Walmart and received a $1,000.00. I purchased a number of board boards, activities for families to use with their child birth to 5 years, relevant early childhood special books and resource books for parents and teachers, a Kindle and art/craft materials. I created a check out sheet, so I would bring this box of resources , etc. teachers and parents loved this idea, many parents were very good about returning and getting new things to do with their child. This was a way for parents in particular to support their child development, many of the parents lived in housing projects, low income and no transportation. Many of the parents did not have access to these resources.

]]> By: Dana Childress, M.Ed. https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2015/01/15/seize-the-opportunity-to-stand-beside-the-parent/#comment-1330 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 20:00:27 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=2338#comment-1330 In reply to Nancy Brockway.

You’ve added a really interesting twist on this topic, Nancy! I love it how you took advantage of what could have been an easily missed opportunity. It’s in these opportunities that we really get the golden opportunity to make a difference – and it sounds like you’re doing that! 🙂

]]> By: Nancy Brockway https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2015/01/15/seize-the-opportunity-to-stand-beside-the-parent/#comment-1329 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 18:59:26 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=2338#comment-1329 I’ve also caught myself staying in a room (sitting on the floor) with a child while a parent leaves “briefly” to get something or to use the restroom. Last week, I decided to also duck out of the room when the mom left so to observe how the child responded. Predictably, he followed Mom and we were then able to discuss and work through strategies to keep him occupied for a few minutes of independent play or find ways to engage him as a helper. If I had stayed in the room, he would have played quite nicely while his mom disappeared. It was great to catch a real moment!

]]> By: Dana Childress, M.Ed. https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2015/01/15/seize-the-opportunity-to-stand-beside-the-parent/#comment-1328 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 21:28:16 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=2338#comment-1328 In reply to Deana Buck.

Great point, Deana. Developing a joint plan that focuses on what families will do between visits certainly would help facilitate this movement from the floor to being beside the parent in family routines during visits. It can be so effective in providing a real-world context for intervention and there is nothing like having a plan to keep you focused!

]]> By: Deana Buck https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2015/01/15/seize-the-opportunity-to-stand-beside-the-parent/#comment-1327 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:29:05 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=2338#comment-1327 The joint plan (from the last visit or two) can help make this part a little easier, I think. At least it’s a place to start —

]]> By: Dana Childress, M.Ed. https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2015/01/15/seize-the-opportunity-to-stand-beside-the-parent/#comment-1326 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 21:12:48 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=2338#comment-1326 In reply to Chris Gregory.

Sounds like a great time, Chris! I’m curious – what did you learn about why the child wouldn’t eat or stay seated? What was different at home vs. at McDonalds?

]]> By: Chris Gregory https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2015/01/15/seize-the-opportunity-to-stand-beside-the-parent/#comment-1325 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 21:06:47 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=2338#comment-1325 I had a family that always wanted to eat breakfast at McDonalds but the child wouldn’t eat or stay seated. We went to mcdonalds for breakfast once a week, then started going every other week. It was great!

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