Great question, Melinda. At the first visits, you might try spending time “teaching” the family about how your collaboration will work. Rather than sitting on the floor and immediately engaging the child (which is what often happens), sit by the parent and describe what to expect. Explore the family’s interests, the parent’s priorities, and their daily routines first by discussing them, then ask the parent where he/she would like to start. Keep the early focus on the the parent-child interaction and that sets things up with the right focus. Here’s a handout we have in Virginia that providers can use with families during initial visits to help them get a sense of what to expect: http://infantva.org/documents/One%20Page%20Handout%20for%20Families%20with%20Coaching%20Terms.pdf

I’d love to hear from others about they set the stage too!

Yes Lynne! That was the moment that hit me too! I’m glad you liked the video!