Organizing Questions
To begin to develop a plan parents can ask themselves to what degree each of the following conditions is evolving in our homes:
Creating a caring community in which all family members feel connected, safe, and supported.
- Do adults consistently model respectful behavior and effective problem solving skills? Is there an underlying tone of respect in every human interaction?
- Are children and adults respectful of areas of difference as well as similarity? Is there an acceptance and celebration of diversity?
- Do children feel comfortable enough with adults that they are willing to articulate their concerns with them?
- Are there explicitly communicated guidelines to prevent harassment and bullying at home? In what ways do we seek to make conflicts something that we can learn from?
Teaching children to be socially and emotionally able.
- Are we promoting and consistently reinforcing a climate of tolerance and understanding?
- What kind of social and emotional role models are we being?
- How are we teaching children to communicate directly and clearly as well as to solve problems creatively?
- How are we seeking to promote our children's reflective and empathic abilities?
- Are there explicitly stated expectations for behavior?
- Are the rules simply and concisely stated in a positive manner?
<< Back