The Impact of Adopting “Caregiver and Me” Language

What happens when we shift from “mommy and me” to “caregiver and me” language?

Early childhood educators and skilled service providers are familiar with the parent coaching space, and many of us provide parent and caregiver education to support our families. But to make our classes and content accessible and welcoming to all families, we must consider the language we use. Why? Because words matter. What happens when we ditch the exclusionary term “mommy and me”?

1. We acknowledge and "check" our biases.

2. We acknowledge and address our assumptions.

3. We acknowledge various types of family structures.

4. We acknowledge that the people who love and care for the little humans we serve are not always their parents.

5. We take steps toward making coaching spaces more inclusive.