# Getting to Know Each Family

## FAMILY COMPOSITION

1. Who is in the family? (Identify all the family members and their relationship to one another.)
2. Where do the family members live?
3. What are the major roles of each of the family members?
4. Which family members are the primary caregivers for children?
5. Who makes the decisions about child-rearing goals?
6. Who makes decisions about disciplinary standards?
7. Who makes the decision about health issues and treatments?
8. Do family members make decisions together or does one member make the major decisions?
9. What other family members or friends are included in the family’s circle of support?  
10. How are these other individuals included?
11. Are family members employed outside the home?

## FAMILY CULTURE, ETHNICITY, AND LANGUAGE

1. What is their language of preference in communication with professionals?
2. Is an interpreter needed for communication?
3. What languages do family members speak in the home?

## FAMILY CUSTOMS AND PREFERENCES

1. How would family members prefer to be greeted (e.g., by title, such as Mr. or Mrs.; by role, such as mother, father, grandmother, other)?  
2. Are service providers invited into the family’s home?  
3. What are the family’s customs in the home (e.g., removal of shoes when entering the home; shaking hands or not touching family members unless invited to do so)?  
4. Where and when would families prefer to meet or discuss issues?  
5. What are their hopes and dreams for the family and children?

## CHILD-REARING PRACTICES

1. What are family members' beliefs about child development?  
2. Children’s goals?  
3. Children’s developmental milestones (e.g., toileting, feeding, caring for self)?  
4. What are family mealtime practices?  
5. Are there dietary preferences or restrictions?  
6. Who is responsible for feeding the children?  
7. What practices are used?  
8. What are the children’s sleeping arrangements and routines (e.g., does the baby sleep in the same room as the parents?)?  
9. What are the family’s beliefs about standards of behavior and discipline?  
10. What disciplinary methods are used?  
11. When?  
12. How much?  
13. At what age?

## EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, AND HELP SEEKING

1. What are the family members' beliefs and perceptions about the developmental or health condition of the family member/child?  
2. What are the family’s beliefs and approach to health care or healing?  
3. On whom does the family rely for medical and health care treatment?  
4. What are the family members' beliefs about education of the children (e.g., readiness for school, goals of school)?  
5. What education and treatment approaches does the family use?  
6. Does the family seek help from other family members or individuals?  
7. Does the family seek help from any formal agencies, organizations, or community services?  
8. For what services?  
9. Do family members agree about the use of services/supports and the approaches that they use?  
10. What are the family members' feelings about seeking help and their degree of comfort in doing so?