Module 4, Handout 2: Questions to Assess Children’s Needs using Protective Factors

Handout 2: Questions to Assess Children’s Needs using Protective Factors

Parent Resilience

• Is there a history of trauma, abuse, and neglect in the parent/caregiver’s family?

• In a stressful situation, How does the parent/caregiver react? How does the parent/caregiver react to the child?

• How does the child react to the parent/caregiver?

• How does the parent/caregiver react to the child?

Social Connections

• Does the primary caregiving family go to church? Support groups? Participate in community activities?

• Do the parent/caregiver and child get out of the house every day? How many times per day?

• Where do they go? Who do they talk to?

• Does the parent/caregiver have good friends or relationships with family members?

• If the parent/caregiver works, who provides child care?

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

• Where did the parent/caregiver learn how to be a parent?

• Do they have basic knowledge about child development?

• Has the parent/caregiver gone to any parenting classes or groups?

• Does the parent/caregiver have support on parenting issues?

• Do they have opportunities to observe children and learn how to understand and respond to behaviors more effectively?

Concrete Support in Times of Need

• Does the primary caregiving family struggle with paying their bills every month?

• Do they eat three, balanced meals every day?

• If they need food or help with their bills, where do they go?

• Does the parent/caregiver have a steady job?

• If not, do they know how to find a job?

Nurturing and Attachment

• How does the parent/caregiver react to their children’s challenging behaviors?

• Do they punish the children too often?

• Is the punishment inappropriate?

• How does the parent reward the children?

REFERENCES

Strengthening Families. The Five Protective Factors. Retrieved on October 1, 2011 http://www.cssp.org/reform/strengthening-families.org