Scenario:
Imagine you are an early childhood teacher of four-year-olds. Betsy is a new student in your class. She has recently been staffed into the special education program under the eligibility of Developmentally Delayed. Her parents are new to navigating special education and need support understanding how to help Betsy at home and school.
Directions:
Using information from the required readings and videos, address the following:
Identify three specific strategies you could use to collaborate with Betsys parents to support her development at home and in the classroom.
For each strategy, include an example of how you would implement it in practice (e.g., parent-teacher conferences, communication logs, or collaborative goal-setting).
Provide a list of three resources (books, websites, community organizations, or tools) you would share with Betsys parents to support their understanding of her developmental needs.
Include a brief description of each resource and explain how it would benefit Betsys family.
Reflect on two unique challenges families of children with special needs might face (e.g., emotional, cultural, or logistical barriers).
Provide specific examples of how you could address these challenges to build trust and effective partnerships with families.