Description
Interventions for young children with disabilities are more effective when the adults involved form collaborative partnerships. Thats why consultation—a systematic process to help educators, parents, and early childhood professionals work together to address concerns and identify goals—is so important. This practical handbook equips you with the skills you need to function as an effective consultant to educators and caregivers of children from birth through age 5, leading you step by step through an 8-stage model that shows you how to
- initiate contact with the consultee and establish open, respectful communication
- build rapport while gathering crucial information about the consultee
- work with the consultee to assess concerns and needs
- set goals directly related to these concerns and needs
- select appropriate strategies for meeting the goals
- prepare the consultee to implement the strategies
- evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies and the consultation itself
- hold a summary conference to review outcomes and plan next steps
For each stage, youll get a description of key consultation tasks, critical considerations for consultant and consultee, strategies for improving communication, and a What If section that addresses potential problems and solutions. This guide will help any early childhood professional serving as a consultant—and anyone in the role of consultee—form strong, respectful partnerships that lead to better child and family outcomes.
Reviews
Review by: Steve Knotek, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
"Superb. . . . Consultation has never been presented more effectively for the early childhood professional."
Review by: Ann Schulte, North Carolina State University
"Highly readable . . . avaluable resource for early childhood professionals who want to increase their impact through effective partnerships with others."
Review by: Susan Klein, Indiana University, Bloomington
"[This book] gather[s] the best of what we know about effective collaboration and consultation.This comprehensive and highly motivating book will clearly become a key resource for early childhood and early intervention professionals in their quest to develop the most effective ways to communicate and interact with each other."
Review by: William McInerney, University of Toledo
"[The book] should provoke an examination of the practices of the current generation of professionals and spur consideration of a new paradigm in early childhood education and special education personnel preparation."
Review by: Pamela Winton, Senior Scientist and Director of Outreach, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina
"Integrates a wealth of information about consultation in ways that are practical and applicable in a variety of early childhood settings.I predict this book will become the 'consultation bible' in the decade to come."
Review by: Laurie Dinnebeil, Professor and Judith Daso Herb Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Education, University of Toledo
"Those involved in personnel preparation will find this book essential to coursework designed to prepare individuals to serve as consultants. Early childhood consultants will find this book anindispensable resource.I can't wait to add this book to my professional library!"
Table of Contents
Section I: Conceptual and Philosophical Framework
1. Why Consultation? New Roles for Early Childhood Professionals
2. Consultant Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions
Section II: Model for the Consultation Process
3. Stage One: Gaining Entry
4. Stage Two: Building the Relationship
5. Stage Three: Gathering Information Through Assessment
6. Stage Four: Setting Goals
7. Stage Five: Selecting Strategies
8. Stage Six: Implementing the Plan
9. Stage Seven: Evaluating the Plan
10. Stage Eight: Holding a Summary Conference
Section III: Outcomes, Applications, and Recommendations
11. Additional Considerations for Evaluating Consultation Processes and Outcomes
12. Contexts and Settings Associated with Consultation
13. Future Directions for Consultation in Early Childhood Settings
References
Appendix: Blank Forms