Communication with family members is important in any educational setting but parent communication in early childhood special education is essential. Special education laws are built on the idea of parents being equal partners with educators in the special education process, and this can only happen with communication. This communication needs to go both ways between families and education professionals. However, on the educator side, there are many important things to communicate to help build a foundation for collaboration. Here are six:
“Welcome to Our Class” Parent Communication in Early Childhood Special Education
Communication that occurs when a child first enters a program creates a feeling of welcome to families. This includes what will happen in the program, who will be caring for their children, and what is needed for students to start off well.
“What We’re Learning at School” Parent Communication in ECSE
Once the child attends the program, regular communication helps parents know what is happening during program time and the educational focus. This can include information about learning themes, the curriculum focus, and special activities.
“How You Can Help Your Child Learn at Home” Parent Communication in Early Childhood Special Education
A special type of communication is sharing ideas about how parents can help their children learn at home. This communication extends learning from the classroom into the child’s home. It can include offering suggestions and guidance for positive home interactions, as well as providing activities that families can do together at home.
“How Special Education Works” Parent Communication in ECSE
Because the students in a preschool special education class receive specialized services, it is important to communicate what that means. This includes helping parents understand the federal and state laws that govern the special education process and the rights of families with a child receiving special education services.
“What Special Education Services Mean for Your Child” Parent Communication in Early Childhood Special Education
It is also important to communicate to families what these special education services mean specifically for their child. This includes how their IEP goals are being worked on and their progress on these goals. It also includes what the transition process out of the program looks like.
“Routine” Parent Communication in ECSE
While routine communication is not earth-shattering, it is important. Keeping parents updated on little things goes a long way in including families in the small events that happen while their child is away from them.
To improve parent communication in early childhood special education, consider the six ways described above. This regular communication can create and bolster relationships with the families in your program. In turn, this communication can lay the groundwork for meaningful collaboration for professionals and families of the students receiving preschool special education services.
