The document discusses considerations for working with families in various circumstances and situations, including those experiencing divorce, remarriage, having children with special needs, infants, abuse and neglect, and adoption. It addresses the emotions involved in bereavement, working with children in the classroom, supporting families and stepfamilies, inclusion programs for children with special needs, reactions of parents of infants, understanding abuse, documenting suspicions, and facts about adoption. The document emphasizes that teachers must understand the unique emotions and perspectives of families in different situations in order to meet their needs, and should respond with understanding, talking to families, using resources, and following legal obligations.

1. ©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

2. 
What do you already know about considerations
that should be made of working with families:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Experiencing divorce and/or remarriage?
Of children with special needs?
Of infants?
Experiencing abuse and neglect?
Of adoption?
©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

3. Emotions of bereavement
 Children’s reactions: Emotions and
age-related behaviors
 Parents’ likely responses
 Differences in parents’ and children’s reactions

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

4. 
Working with children in the classroom

Support for families

Understanding and supporting stepfamilies
©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

5. Head Start and other inclusion programs
 The laws
 Emotional reactions of family
 Teacher support

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

6. Reactions of parents of infants
 Adolescent mothers of infants
 Teachers’ roles

◦ Supporting the attachment process
◦ Providing information
©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

7. 
Understanding abuse
◦ Precipitating factors

Indicators of abuse and neglect
◦ Physical signs of abuse
◦ Behavioral signs of abuse
◦ Signs of neglect
©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

8. Documenting suspicions
 Legal responsibilities to report
 Examining personal attitudes
 Creating an atmosphere of trust
 Knowing community resources

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

9. Know the facts
 Include adoption in the curriculum
 Ways to talk with families
 Ways to talk with children
 Offering resources

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

10. 
Reflect on any experiences you have working with
families in any of these circumstances. What do
you find to be their emotional responses and
needs? What did you find to be helpful teacher
responses? What have you learned that you
would apply in future situations?
©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

11. In order to meet the needs of all families, teachers
must understand the unique emotions and
perspectives of families in many different
circumstances.
 Teacher responses include offering understanding
and empathy, talking with children and their
parents, using appropriate community resources,
and being mindful of legal obligations.

©2013 Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.