Personal visits provide an opportunity to find out what each family is going through, and to discuss the developmental challenges characteristic of the child's age. In these clinical settings, Baby TALK teachers show parents age-appropriate curriculum materials, which can then be used at home. The rapport teachers build with parents through repeated visits enables them to speak intelligently about each family's situation. Parents also know when their own teachers will be staffing the Warmline, so they may call at those times if they prefer. Through anticipatory guidance, Baby TALK teachers give parents specific behavioral strategies for handling situations.
Every parent wants to know what to do when a child cries, misbehaves or shows regressive behavior.
Explaining the causes for children's behavior and giving parents coping strategies, however, lets parents know that their concerns are important. In order for the parent-child relationship to survive these challenges, parents need to know that their concerns are respected and that their relationship with their child is worth all the hard work. Parents assume that educators are only interested in schools and books, and are amazed to find that Baby TALK teachers care about their child's sleeping, eating and crying habits. The Baby TALK program first addresses those topics that are critical to parents and children, with the understanding that the parent-child relationship is primary to everything else. Academic achievement is more likely when the family's immediate needs have been met.