Partner with whānau, parents and caregivers
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Identify needs and how to provide support’
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Support information sharing
Support information sharing
- Encourage parents and caregivers to share what they have noticed or assessments they have had done outside school.
- Build on any programmes or materials used at home, to maximise consistency and support for the student.
- Develop systems for passing on information about a student’s needs, progress and next steps.
- Share information about out-of-school programmes that may help to boost the student’s self-esteem (for example, classes or groups for music, art, dance or sports).
Talk with parents and caregivers
Talk with parents and caregivers
Find out what approaches and strategies have worked well for students in their previous school and work well at home.
Value whānau knowledge
Value whānau knowledge
James’ mother describes the indicators of James’ dyspraxia and strategies used to improve James’ movement and coordination.
No captions or transcript
What to ask
What to ask
Connect with parents, whānau, and caregivers to understand the strengths and needs of students.
Practical elements:
- the language(s) spoken at home
- medications and allergies
- equipment used at home
- what they do at home to support learning.
Student’s likes and dislikes:
- likes, interests, what they’re good at, need help with, can do independently
- dislikes, what can upset them, how they express this, calming skills
- favourites (TV programmes, hobbies, books, songs, sports).
The people in the student’s life:
- parent and whānau hopes and priorities
- important people in the student’s life
- best methods and times to communicate with the family
- professionals working with the family
- questions they have and support they would like from the school.
Useful resources
Useful resources

Family/whānau file
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Identify needs and how to provide support”:
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Dyspraxia and learning
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Identify needs and how to provide supportShow suggestions for Identify needs and how to provide support
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Key areas to supportShow suggestions for Key areas to support
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
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Helpful classroom strategies year 9-13Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies year 9-13