Which communication strategy is most likely to promote a collaborative relationship with parents during prekindergarten screenings?

• A. Scheduling more frequent ARD meetings
• B. Sending written summaries after screenings
• C. Speaking slowly to parents during conversations
• D. Practicing active listening skills, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and clarifying

Answer: (D)

Active listening during conversations with families promotes collaboration because it makes parents feel heard, respected, and truly involved in the screening process. When you paraphrase what a parent says, summarize key points, and ask clarifying questions, you confirm you understand their perspective and invite their ongoing input. This back-and-forth helps uncover relevant context about the child’s development, routines, and environment that may not emerge from test scores alone, leading to more accurate interpretations and shared goals. Building that trust and two-way communication is what turns a screening into a collaborative partnership, rather than a one-way transfer of information. While additional meetings or written summaries are useful, they don’t inherently engage parents in real-time problem-solving or validate their concerns the way active listening does. Speaking slowly can aid understanding, but it doesn’t guarantee parents feel heard or invested in the process.