PICCOLO sample items.pdf

Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist

Name: _____________________________________ Child’s birth date: //_____ Today’s date: //_____

Look closely to see behaviors in a quiet parent. Frequency is more important than complexity, but complexity often includes several examples.

Warmth, physical closeness, and positive expressions toward child

#	Parent...	Observation guidelines	Absent	Barely	Clearly
1	speaks in a warm tone of voice	Parent's voice is positive in tone and may show enthusiasm or tenderness. A parent who speaks little but very warmly should be coded highly.	0	1	2
2	smiles at child	Parent directs smiles toward child, but parent and child do not need to be looking at each other when smile occurs. Includes small smiles.	0	1	2

Responding to child’s cues, emotions, words, interests, and behaviors.

#	Parent...	Observation guidelines	Absent	Barely	Clearly
1	pays attention to what child is doing	Parent looks at and reacts to what child is doing by making comments, showing interest, helping or otherwise attending to child's actions.	0	1	2
2	changes pace or activity to meet child’s interests or needs	Parent tries a new activity or speeds up or slows down an activity in response to child's cues.	0	1	2

Active support of exploration, effort, skills, initiative, curiosity, creativity, and play.

#	Parent...	Observation guidelines	Barely	Clearly
1	explains reasons for something to child	Parent says something that could answer a “why” question, whether child asks a question or not.	1	2
2	suggests activities to extend what child is doing	Parent says something child could do to add to what child is already doing but does not interrupt child's interests, actions, or play.	1	2
3	waits for child's response after making a suggestion	Parent pauses after saying something the child could do and waits for child to answer or do something.	1	2
4	encourages child to handle toys	Parent offers toys or says positive things when child shows obvious interest in toys.	1	2