DQ 1

Balancing the demands of work, parenting, and family is a challenging—but necessary—task for a significant number of American families.  When these pressures are not balanced, it can lead to a negative, unpredictable home environment.  What impact will this type of environment have on children’s behavior?  What strategies can parents use to ensure a positive family environment? 

DQ 2

Locate Collaborating with Families from the IRIS website (For an alternate accessible resource, read the article Understanding families: Applying family systems theory to early childhood practices).  Select the ‘Challenge’ balloon to begin the module.  After completing the module, choose one of the five discussion topics listed below.

• Describe the range of emotions associated with being the parent of a child with special needs.  Select two emotional states and describe how you, as a teacher, would work with a parent experiencing these emotions.

• Identify and describe three roles that a parent of a child who has a disability might fulfill that are unlike the roles typically associated with parenting.

• Reese is a young girl with cerebral palsy.  Her primary means of mobility is a manual wheelchair, though she is also able to take a few independent steps.  Reese’s parents have recently separated and are in the process of divorcing.  Reese, her mom, and two older siblings have temporarily relocated and are now living in the upstairs of her grandparents’ house.  As a result of the move, Reese has transitioned to a new school.  Although her mom is generally very involved with her child’s education, there are currently many stressors in her life.  Describe at least two of the stressors, besides divorce, that Reese’s mom might be experiencing and explain how you think they might affect her time and involvement with the school.

• Imagine you are a teacher in Reese’s new school.  Describe three ideas you have for building a relationship with Reese’s family and how you would go about making the family feel welcome in your school.

• Imagine that you, as Reese’s new teacher, have just returned from a visit to Reese’s grandparents.  During your home visit, Reese’s mother vented about her failed relationship with her husband and the reasons for their divorce.  Now the teachers in the teachers’ lounge are pushing you for the juicy details.  What is your responsibility in this situation and why?

Read attachment carefully and follow the prompt exactly as mentioned. 

Paper must be single spaced and 15-20 sentences long.

There is also a sample answer attached to show you an example of how to write this assignment.

Family & Community Project-Based Learning

You have probably heard the saying “Change is hard.” This statement is true for organizations as well as for individuals. When faced with change, many employees demonstrate resistance—they do whatever they can to not give in to that change. While some opposition may be natural, it is important to understand that employees need to work past such resistance to be successful at work. It is also important to note that organizational leaders need to understand that the communication methods they choose to announce change can greatly impact employees’ initial reactions.

Respond to the following:

• Sarah, a 58-year-old employee, is given a Blackberry and told to keep it with her at all times should the company need to contact her. Why might Sarah resist this change? What impact might the direct style of communication, if used by Sarah’s boss, have on Sarah? How could this message be communicated in another, better way? What does this example tell you about the role of communication in businesses when resistance is involved?
• Describe a time you demonstrated resistance at work. Why did you resist? What was the outcome?
• How did you shape your argument to the needs of your audience?

Write your response to each question in two to three paragraphs. Be sure to refer to appropriate terms, concepts, and research from your readings this week to help support your response.