Supporting an Infant
Taking Action: Supporting a Family Experiencing Separation and Divorce
With knowledge and ideas in hand, you’re ready to take action to support young children by talking with the significant adults in their lives. Use the information and advice from the articles to make your plan. Think of it as preparing a script for meeting with the parents or other significant family adults. Include the following in your plan:
Part I: Supporting an Infant
Explain in your own words:
- Developmental information about what an infant may feel or understand about a separation and divorce
- Possible ways that an infant may respond
- Specific suggestions from experts on how to help an infant through a separation and divorce
Part II: Supporting a Toddler
Explain in your own words:
- Developmental information about what a toddler may understand about a separation and divorce
- Possible ways that a toddler may respond
- Specific suggestions from experts on how to help a toddler through a separation and divorce
Part III: Supporting a Preschooler
Explain in your own words:
- Developmental information about what a preschooler may understand about a family separation and divorce
- Possible ways that a preschooler may respond
- Three specific ideas or activities that the family can do to help a preschooler through a divorce and separation
As you write your plan, remember:
- Your goal is to increase parents’ awareness of how a child at each age may respond to separation and divorce. Focus on information that you, as an early childhood professional, are qualified to give.
- Most likely the parents are struggling, too. Be considerate of their feelings in explaining children’s needs.
- Choose language that you would feel comfortable using—language that is respectful and sensitive—to create a model presentation for talking with adult family members.
