FGRBI: What is caregiver coaching?

 From First Steps: August 2024 Newsletter

"During early intervention visits, providers support the caregivers to identify strategies, practice those strategies during visits, and reflect on and problem solve successes and challenges.  

Early intervention providers may use a variety of coaching strategies to support families. Family Guided Routines Based Intervention includes two different types of coaching strategies, general coaching strategies which includes information sharing and observation and specific coaching strategies which incorporates direct teaching, demonstration with narration, guided practice, caregiver practice, general and specific feedback, problem-solving and reflection. Check out the FGRBI handout, which further identifies coaching strategies. 

Which strategies are you already using?  Which strategies feel less familiar?  As early intervention providers, we want to individualize not only for the child but also for the learning preferences of the caregiver. Becoming comfortable with the use of multiple coaching strategies will support you in promoting caregiver competence and confidence with the intention of leading to expanded opportunities for the child.  

For more information about caregiver coaching and Indiana’s FGRBI training sequence, reach out to Katherine Hargreaves at khargre@iu.edu."