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(Unit 4) Topic 3: Family and Community Partnerships

3 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Providing Support to Families Under Stress

​Topic 3 Page 18

Parents are often under stress. Some stress is a normal part of daily life. Some families, however, are severely affected over a long period of time by significant sources of stress such as community or family violence, homelessness, substance abuse, chronic illness or disability of a family member, learning a new language and adapting to a new culture, or lack of basic necessities. You are in an excellent position to lend a helping hand. Regardless of whether parents approach you or you approach them, keep in mind that supporting parents means enhancing their sense of competence by helping them find their own answers. 

​Your job is to help parents get the support they need, not to provide it yourself.

You should check with your supervisor or director before making a recommendation to parents for professional help. When parents confide in you, it’s essential to maintain complete confidentiality. It is helpful for you to be aware of resources in your community for parent and family information and services.  You might keep a directory of local services available and learn more about those that may be most helpful to parents of the children you serve. Remember that your directory should reflect the families of kids in the program. You can also give parents information about the developmental stages of children.  You can provide copies of articles, lend books or videotapes from your resource library, or let parents know of community workshops on relevant topics.

(Unit 4) Topic 3: Family and Community Partnerships * Navigation Menu