BUILDING POSITIVE PARENT RELATIONS

National Network for Child Care's Connections Newsletter

Annette T. Fitzgerald
Extension Educator, Home Economist
Cooperative Extension System
University of Connecticut, Torrington, CT.

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Children, child care providers, parents and administrators can all benefit from positive parent relationships. Behavior problems can be improved if there is positive interaction between the parent, child, and child care provider. Frequent exchange of information about the child's strengths, progress, and needed changes is essential.

One common bond between parents and child care providers is likely to be lack of time. Parents, child care providers and administrators are pressured by demands at home and at work. Although notes, phone calls, conferences and personal visits absorb precious time from the schedules of administrators and child care providers, the potential rewards are great. Take time to offer a hurried parent a cup of coffee and share personal observations about the child. Respect each other's time constraints by choosing convenient times to get in touch.

The child is a major motivation for most parents to become involved in child care activities, but the day care providers can help other parents by offering opportunities to get involved. Parents who have become part of their children's lives at the child care facility report many benefits for themselves and their children. Those who volunteer to serve on the advisory board or committees benefit by helping shape child care policies, and those who become knowledgeable about their child's performance can offer the child and child care provider much needed support and encouragement.

The following guidelines are recommended to provide positive parent relations:

• Outline your program to parents at the initial meeting, indicating goals of the program and parental involvement. Let the parents know about the child's progress through informal communications as well as a *Parent Newsletter*.
  
• Involve the parents in volunteer activities such as fundraising events.
  
• Plan family activities to involve parents and children, such as a picnic or a dinner.
  
• At least once a week try to spend some time talking to each parent.
  
• Be fair to parents as well as children by practicing listening skills and communicating in a positive manner.
  
• Involve parents early in discipline problems to prevent minor problems.
  
• To improve parent-child relationships, sponsor educational programs at your facility.

Involving parents in the child care program may use valuable time but the process will build a quality experience for all involved.