# 7 strategies for involving families 
in gathering assessment information

Families are a crucial source of information during early childhood 
assessment! Benefit from their expertise by asking families to…

1. Provide written or verbal information regarding the child’s 
   background, family priorities and concerns, the child’s likes 
   and dislikes, and the family’s daily routine. Use the AEPS-3 
   Family Report to gather this information.

2. Confirm or question information previously gathered.

3. Observe the child in other settings and/or gather 
   information regarding the child’s skills in other settings and 
   activities. Use the AEPS-3 Family Assessment of Child 
   Skills to gather families' observations.

4. Facilitate observations of children during conventional and 
   authentic assessment activities.

5. Help interpret information and participate in all steps of 
   the process.

6. Complete formal and informal checklists regarding the 
   child’s skills and behaviors.

Adapted from Assessing Young Children in Inclusive 
Settings, Second Edition by Kristie Sullivan, Ph.D., 
& Lynn, M.Ed.