Read Gudrais (2012). Complete this handout as you read the article.
Gudrais(2012)After reading the article, answer the following questions on FlipGrid (https://flipgrid.com/18765acb your log in is your 1st name as it appears on CUNY First)
- How are the strategies to be successful in an online class that you identified in Module 1 working? What do you need to adjust?
- Would you use the Touchpoints approach when working with families? Why?
- Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article seemed most natural to you? Why?
- Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article was most controversial to you? Why?
- Did the staff in your school use the Touchpoints approach? Use evidence from the article to support your answer.
1.- How are the strategies to be successful in an online class that you identified in Module 1 working? What do you need to adjust? The strategies are working better, I think I need to work a little more on balancing my work in school with my day-to-day activities and my family.
2.- Would you use the Touchpoints approach when working with families? Why?
Gudrais states “If parents could be warned in advance about periods of transitions, then they could understand their children’s behavior, leading them to feel competent rather than concern” (29).
I would definitely use the Touchpoints approach when working with families because I would have the guidance to deliver information, so parents would observe, remember and act. In addition, I can make families feel that they are helping their children by understanding their situations.
3.- Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article seemed most natural to you? Why?
Gudrais argues, “When one mother worried that her sun didn’t even know her, Lucas pointed out how the child turned his head when he heard his mother’s voice. The mother’s face lit up; she was comforted, her confidence boosted”(30).
This approach seemed natural to me because it is very common that parents feel guilty about living their children all day while they go to work. I would have done the same and make the mother know how important she is for her son.
4.- Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article was most controversial to you? Why?
Gudrais states “The best way to save children from poor parenting is not to remove the child from the home- a drastic measure to be used only in cases where the child’s safety is in danger-but rather, to improve parenting by shoring up the parent’s skills. Touchpoints therefore encourages a focus on parent’s strengths” (32).
This touchpoint is very controversial to me because even if I understand the experience of parents who are at risk of abusing their children, sometimes abusive parents enjoy hurting their children and they don’t want to change, for a child who is in danger must be remove from home right away.
5.- Did the staff in your school use the Touchpoints approach? Use evidence from the article to support your answer.
When I was in school, one of the parents was very angry and complaining about my teacher’s performance. My teacher listened and waited peaceful until the parent went silence and then she told him that she would try better. Gudrais states “Touchpoints reaches considering the parents points of view and remaining calm, Anger often means that the parent cares about his or her child, apathy would be a far worse sign. (32)
Marcela — Thanks for your thoughtful responses. You wove material from the reading into your responses. I wonder, what do you think is poor parenting and why do you think it might be more harmful to remove a child from poor parenting than to help families to develop their abilities & skills as parents?
How are the strategies to be successful in an online class that you identified in Module 1 working? What do you need to adjust? My strategies to succeed in an online class that I identified have been going pretty well so far. I just need to learn how to balance this class and my other class.
Would you use the Touchpoints approach when working with families? Why? I would use the touchpoints approach when working with families because it sounds like a good approach to use to help parents improve on their skills and have a positive impact on their children’s lives.
Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article seemed most natural to you? Why? One of the touchpoint principles that seemed most natural to me is value and understand the relationship between you and the parent because teachers need to understand the type of relationship they have with the parents.
Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article was most controversial to you? Why? One of the touchpoint principles that seemed most controversial was where Elizabeth Gudrias states ” the best way to save a child from poor parenting is not to remove the child from the home- but rather to improve parenting by shoring the parents’ skills”. This was controversial to me because you have to think about this: What if the parents don’t take the skills they use and they still act like poor parents?
Did the staff in your school use the Touchpoints approach? Use evidence from the article to support your answer. The staff in my school did not use the touchpoints approach. Elizabeth Gudrias states support the children by teaching the adults who shape their lives. The staff in my school did not try to teach my mom anything.
Diamunique — Thanks for your comment in this module. You connected the reading to your comments. You say that Touchpoints seems like a “good approach”; I wonder, what makes it “good”? I wonder, what is “poor parenting”? Most educational programs do not use the TouchPoints approach when working with families — so your mom was not alone.
1. How are the strategies to be successful in an online class that you identified in Module 1 working? What do you need to adjust?
-The strategies to be successful in an online class have been going well, I just need to balance more of my time for work and homework.
2. Would you use the Touchpoints approach when working with families? Why?
– I would definitely use the Touchpoints approach when working with families because it provides important support in all aspects of the child’s life, including healthy growth. Gudrais (2012) states “The Touchpoints approach makes parents feel valued that the people who care for their children are listening to them and taking their view points into account”.
3. Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article seemed most natural to you? Why?
-Gudrais (2012) states “But having learned to use the child’s behavior as a language describing what she saw, rather than drawing a conclusion or passing judgement she simply told the boy’s father what she had observed, and asked him why he thought the boy behaved this way. The next day she recalls he came in with a new pair of shoes”. This touchpoint principles seemed most natural to me because if parents are treated as partners rather than rivals they build a strong relationship with the caregiver and therefore respect their points of views, comments, and opinions.
4. Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article was most controversial to you? Why?
-One of the touchpoints principles discussed in the articles that seemed most controversial to me was when Gudrais (2012) argue “Empathizing with parents even when their behavior may be harming their children” I found this controversial because how should they show empathy towards someone who hurts their own children? someone who may abuse their own children just because caring for them is more stressful.
5. Did the staff in your school use the Touchpoints approach? Use evidence from the article to support your answer.
-The staff in my school did not use the touchpoints approach. Gudrais (2012) states “The approach reflects a belief that children are embedded in a web of relationships family, school, community and supporting healthy development means looking at all parts of the web”. The staff did not try to build a relationship with my family.
Daniela — Thanks for your comment. You wove the material from the article into your comment. Making families feel valued & acknowledged for their expertise is crucial for our work with babies & families. Using a child’s behavior as language is a powerful process for teachers & for families. Finding empathy for people who harm children can be tough; I wonder, why does the TouchPoints approach support teachers finding empathy for people who hurt children? Most schools see children outside of the context of their families — teachers focus on the child and not the family.
1) So far the strategies been working for my online, I just need to work more on balancing my time and set a schedule on what to work for that day because also my work schedule messes up that.
2)Yes I would use Touch points approach when working with families because its a great way to inform the parents. Because as in the reading Gudrias says “It prevents abuse” meaning you get to communicate with the parents more deeply build connection and become more understanding.
3)The “Touch point” that seem natural to me was in the reading “When one mother was worried her sun didn’t know her, but Lucas pointed out how the child turned his head when he heard his mother voice” because I feel like this happens in every household when the mother or father works and they have to take their child to daycare/school might feel guilty for leaving them for a while.
4)A “Touch point” that was most controversial would be in the reading Gudrias states “Empathizing with parents even when their behavior may be harming their children” because why should we feel some type of comfort when they’re harming their children, doesn’t matter if they aren’t in the correct state of mind they should get checked out.
5)The staff at my previous schools did not use “Touch Points” in the reading Gudrais says “The approach reflects a belief that children are embedded in a web of relationship family, schools, community and supporting healthy development means looking at all parts of the web” I honestly think some staff members would try to build a relationship with my mom not family exactly, but it was like 2-3 persons out of the whole building.
Lesly — Thanks for your comment in this activity. You connected material from the reading into your comment. Families can feel guilty if their child is in day care; I wonder, is TouchPoints only for families with children in day care? Having empathy for families who harm their children can be difficult; I wonder, do you think the TouchPoints philosophy is indicating that families should not receive help or support? Most schools in the US focus on the child, not the child in the context of their family. I wonder, how can you comment be original/ different from what has been posted already?
1.How are the strategies to be successful in an online class that you identified in Module 1 working? What do you need to adjust?
The strategies to be successful in an online class are not really working to good for me. I am struggling because I mostly procrastinate and I need to balance my time to do work and catch up on things.
2.Would you use the Touchpoints approach when working with families? Why?
I would use Touchpoints when working with families because we would be able to communicate and avoid any problems and they would be able to know things about their child’s growth.
3.Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article seemed most natural to you? Why?
A Touchpoint that seemed more natural to me was, “when one mother was worried her son didn’t know her, but Lucas pointed out how the child turned his head when he heard his mother’s voice”. This shows how a child is able to identify his own parents because they know how their parents sound without looking at them. They are using hearing to know things. Yes parents may be scared to leave their child for a long period of time because they think their child wont be able to identify who they are.
4.Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article was most controversial to you? Why?
“The best way to save a child from poor parenting is not to remove the child from the home- but rather to improve parenting by shoring the parents’ skills”. This was most controversial to me because sometimes parents would take advantage and abuse their children and the child should be taken away if they are being abused.
5.Did the staff in your school use the Touchpoints approach? Use evidence from the article to support your answer.
The school i was in did not use Touchpoints at all. Gudrais (2012) states “The approach reflects a belief that children are embedded in a web of relationships family, school, community and supporting healthy development means looking at all parts of the web”. They did not try to create a relationship with my mom.
Madelin — Thanks for your comment in this activity. I am sorry that your strategies are not working; I wonder, are their new or different strategies you can implement? TouchPoints can help families to understand their child’s development: I wonder, how/ why do you thing TouchPoints will prevent problems with families? I wonder, what is “poor parenting”? I wonder, how can your comment be original from what has been posted already?
1.How are the strategies to be successful in an online class that you identified in Module 1 working? What do you need to adjust?
The strategies to be successful online were working great for me but for these past few weeks I have been backed up due to health issues. Hopefully I can get back on track this week.
2.Would you use the Touchpoints approach when working with families? Why?
I would definitely use Touchpoints approach when working with families because it’ll help keep everyone in the loop communication wise so they can be updates on their Childs daily milestones.
3.Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article seemed most natural to you? Why?
A touchpoint that seemed more natural to me was, When Lucas called attention to how the child turned his head when he heard his mom’s voice”. This shows how a child can distinguish his own parents since they realize how they’re parents sound without taking a gander at them. They are utilizing hearing to know things. Indeed guardians might be frightened to leave their kid for a significant stretch of time since they think their kid wont have the option to distinguish what their identity is.
4.Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article was most controversial to you? Why?
Gudrais states “The best way to save children from poor parenting is not to remove the child from the home-an drastic measure to be used only in cases where the child’s safety is in danger- but rather, to improve parenting by shoring up the parent’s skills.
This touchpoint is disputable to me in light of the fact that regardless of whether I comprehend the experience of guardians who are in danger of mishandling their child, here and there oppressive guardians appreciate harming their kids and they would prefer not to change, It is important that for a kid who is in peril should be eliminated from home immediately.No child should have to deal with this.
5.Did the staff in your school use the Touchpoints approach? Use evidence from the article to support your answer. The staff in my school did use touch points and was always on top of everything in each and every school I attended. My mom had no issue. As Carolyn Christopher stated, TouchPoints posits that caring for a child means taking an interest in all aspects of that child’s life. And not stopping at the edge of ones official ability. Touch points approach makes parents feel valued- that the people who care for their children are listening to them and taking their viewpoints into account.
Selanie — Thanks for your comment in this activity. I wonder Making families feel valued, building their confidence & competence as parents enables them to be better parents. You talk about several elements of Touch Points in your comment; how did the staff at your school use those elements with your family? I wonder, how can your comment be unique from what has been posted already?
1. How are the strategies to be successful in an online class that you identified in Module 1 working? What do you need to adjust?
They’re working but I had to pick up shifts at work. I had to cut off my hours because I was falling behind in my classes. I’ve been dedicating my days off to complete all my assignments.
2.Would you use the Touchpoints approach when working with families? Why?
I would use the Touchpoints approach when working with families because communication is very important and it helps the parents feel included about their childs growth.
3. Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article seemed most natural to you? Why?
When Lucas was able to distinguish his moms voice and he turned his head. The seemed the most natural to me because it’s a prime example of how it is a natural instinct for the child to recognize their parents voice without seeing them.
4. Which of the Touchpoints principles discussed in the article was most controversial to you? Why?
“Numerous studies have found that children do better with confident parents than with parents who are terrified of making mistakes” Sometimes parents do not realize how their children look up to them, seeing your parent stress out on “adult things” makes you feel terrified to grow up and take risks to achieve what you want. When you see how your parents go out their way to reach their goals you become aware that hard work pays off.
5. Did the staff in your school use the Touchpoints approach? Use evidence from the article to support your answer.
Honestly, I do not think they ever tried to reach out like that with my parents. Only like a few of my teachers in elementary school tried to build a relationship with mom but after that in middle school and in high schools the teachers seemed to careless about building relationships. I truly believe teachers should try to build relationships and build as a community because then the student can see how they all care about his/her progress and would attempt to do better and improve.
Brenda — Thanks for your comment in this activity. The anxiety families feel are transmitted to their children, so when families feel uncertain, stressed and anxious about their parenting, the babies feel it too!