Talking to Families About Developmental Concerns: A Guide for Early Childhood Educators
11/06/25
Cover Image Credit: Freepik
Guest Authored by the Bridgeway Therapy Center Behavioral Health Team
As early childhood educators, you spend countless hours teaching, observing and playing with children, watching them problem-solve, interact, communicate and grow. You are often the first to notice when a child’s development takes on unique characteristics or challenges. You are experts in the children that you teach.
Starting a conversation with a family about concerns surrounding a child’s development can feel intimidating. You want to be honest, but also kind. You want to help, but you don’t want to worry parents. The good news? When handled thoughtfully, these conversations can open the door to meaningful support and make a lasting difference for a child and their family.
Here are some tips that can help.
Choose the Right Time and Place
Timing is everything. Try to schedule a more private conversation when families aren’t in a hurry. Avoid quick drop-off or pick-up moments. A calm, unhurried setting lets you both focus on the importance of what is being shared.
Lead with Strengths
Start by highlighting what the child enjoys or does well. This not only puts families at ease but also shows that you see their child as you see them, not just a list of concerns.
? For example:
“Sam has an amazing imagination. We love watching the worlds he creates during center time.”
Focus on Observations
Stick to specific examples of what you’ve seen rather than using general or clinical terms like “delayed” or “behind.” Avoid comparing the child to other children in the program. Clear, objective observations help families understand what’s happening without feeling judged.
? For example:
“We’ve noticed that during group story time, Alex often covers his ears and leaves the circle. When we offer breaks or quieter activities, he’s able to stay more comfortable and seems to enjoy the group activity more.”
Concrete examples like these open the door for conversations about working together and problem-solving.
Collaboration and Curiosity
The goal isn’t a diagnosis, it’s to begin a lasting partnership as families begin to explore services that will support their child. Ask open-ended questions that invite families to share what they see at home.
? For example:
“Have you noticed anything similar at home?”
“We want to partner with you to support your child’s success.”
This kind of language shifts the tone from “something is wrong” to “let’s figure this out together.”
Offer Next Steps, Not Conclusions
Once you’ve shared your observations, provide families with simple, actionable next steps. You might suggest connecting with their pediatrician, reaching out to an early intervention program, or seeking a developmental screening. Your role is to be a supportive guide in the process of helping families understand what you have shared, and to point them in the right direction.
What if Families Push Back?
Even with the best intentions, some families may react with surprise, resistance or denial. That’s okay. Hearing concerns about your child’s behavior or development can be hard, and it may take a few conversations for the information to land in a way that makes parents want additional help moving on to the next best steps.
When this happens:
- Validate their feelings. “I know this is a lot to take in. It’s completely okay to need time to process this information.”
- Keep the door open. “We can check in again in a few weeks once you’ve had time to think about our conversation”
- Reaffirm your care. “We care deeply about your child and want to work together on how to support your family.”
Even if they’re not ready now, your caring and concern builds trust for future conversations.
Trusted Local Resources
If families are open to exploring support options, you can connect them with local programs that specialize in early childhood development:
- Bridgeway Therapy Center has a multi-disciplinary team that can evaluate and assess a child’s need for additional support, including a psychological evaluation or diagnosis
- Ohio Help Me Grow + Early Intervention services are available in Ohio for pregnant women, parents, and caregivers who have questions or concerns about pregnancy, infants, or young children. Early Intervention is available in every part of the state and to any eligible child, regardless of the family’s income.
- Action for Children’s Help Me Grow Home Visiting provides pre- and post-natal family support for parents in Franklin County who are pregnant or have a new baby up to two years old. Family Support Specialists can help with planning a healthy pregnancy, sharing tips for healthy early leaning and development, promoting optimal parent wellness, and connecting you to appropriate community resources.
As a preschool or early childhood educator, your greatest strengths are observation, support, education, and guidance. Families look to you for insight and information, and your compassion can turn what feels like a difficult conversation into a pathway of hope and connection. When you lead with empathy and collaboration, you’re going beyond just addressing a concern! You’re helping a family take the first steps toward understanding and supporting their child’s unique developmental journey.
Action for Children is proud to share resources from Bridgeway Therapy Center to support families across central Ohio. Together, we’re here to help children and families grow, learn, and thrive.
About Action for Children: Action for Children is the local child care resource and referral agency for central Ohio, and is committed to assuring quality early learning experiences for all children. Our services focus on transforming the lives of children by supporting the everyday heroes who most influence our children’s early growth; caregivers, educators, parents, and guardians. Learn More.