Building Relationships with Family Friendly Materials

Kat CripeFlorida State University

Something to Remember… There is no wrong way to make

materials Just some ways that make them more

friendly Materials design is personal preference It is important to remember families have

preferences too

How Do Materials Welcome Your Families? Is the purpose easily and clearly

identified? Are they easy to read? Do they provide examples that families

can relate to? Do they enhance the family’s and child’s

strengths? Are they flexible to meet multiple purposes

for the family?

Diversity is EverythingConsumers of EI services are many and

variedNo single brochure or format will be

appealing or effective for everyoneNeed to consider literacy and language

levelsNeed for varied formats and repetition of

key conceptsNeed to target various audiences (e.g. dad,

parents of children with autism)

How Do Materials Engage Families?

Clipart and pictures Participation opportunities Match immediate interests or concerns Connect to others

Move from understanding to application

Clean and Easy Bullets are our friends

Break up text and keep the reader reading Tables Talk

Can make a lot of text bearable Count your words

Less is more and jargon free The thin line between love and hate

Consistency and creativity must be balanced

Putting It All Together

Target Audience - Single moms

Clipart

Bullets

Newsletter style

Different header than the normal TaCTICS header

Target Audiences - Dad or sports fans

Table

Easy to read

Purpose is clearly identified

Examples that you can relate to

Purpose is clearly identified

Easy to read and follow

Low Literacy Level

Clipart

Family Participation

Application of Information

Digital Photo

Family Participation

Family Examples

Application of Information

Enhances Family Strengths

Flexibility for Change