“He Never Wears a Hat”: Listening to Parents’ Concerns

Abstract

While working in the Early Learning Centre and on the practicums, I experienced the concerns of some families about their child’s well-being. The Early Learning Centre provides parents with parent handbooks after their child is enrolled. Interviews between parents and educators regarding their child’s physical health, development, behaviour and interaction with others happen every semester. Effective communication helps families and educators to build a trusting partnership and promote respectful relationships. Parental concerns help the educators understand what is happening at home so that they can better support the child (KidsMatter 2017). Drawing upon my own experience and my practicum experience, I believe understanding parents’ concerns is important when developing the learning program.