Whole Child Snapshot & Strength Based School Communication
- Teresa Nair
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
When we change the way we talk about our children, we change the way the world sees them, and how they see themselves.
This page introduces two simple and practical tools, the Whole Child Snapshot and the Strength-Based Language Cheat Sheet, that help you share your child’s story with schools in a way that is clear, positive, and actionable.
Communicating the Whole Child
As parents, we know our children are more than their challenges. They are creative, curious, and capable, even if they need support in certain areas. The key is learning how to communicate this in a way that schools can hear, act on, and partner with us.
That is why we created a short video (approx. 5 minutes) to walk you through two practical tools:
Strength-Based Language Cheat Sheet
Introducing My Child: A Whole Child Snapshot
Together, they help you share your child’s story in a way that is both positive and actionable.
Tool 1: The Whole Child Snapshot
The Introducing My Child Snapshot is a one-page overview you can share with teachers, counselors, and support staff. It captures:
Interests and passions
Social-emotional cues
Sensory preferences
Support needs, scaffolds, and more…
Think of it as your child’s introduction letter. It is clear, positive, and practical. It ensures educators see not only what your child struggles with, but also what lights them up and helps them thrive.
The words we use matter. If we only describe our child in terms of their struggles, schools may unintentionally see them as a list of deficits. The Strength-Based Language Cheat Sheet helps you reframe common concerns into affirming, constructive statements.
For example:
Instead of: “She gets distracted easily.”
You might say: “She notices many things in her environment and has a wide curiosity. With tools for focus, she can channel that curiosity productively.”
This tool includes many examples like this, along with a simple formula you can use to create your own reframes. This way, you will always have language that keeps the conversation strengths-focused, reduces defensiveness, and points directly to strategies that can help.
Why It Matters
Advocating for your child does not have to mean conflict or constant explanations. With these tools, you walk into school meetings prepared, confident, and ready to highlight the whole child.
