Questions, Comments, and Suggestions: Breaking Down Reflective EI Caregiver Coaching Conversations

Reflection and feedback are commonly considered to be essential components in early intervention (EI) caregiver coaching frameworks. However, there is limited research demonstrating how EI practitioners (EIPs) and caregivers engage in reflective coaching conversations during sessions. The purpose of this study is to identify how these strategies support ongoing interactions between the caregiver, child, and EIP, and work to build caregivers’ competence and confidence. This study uses a qualitative approach to investigate reflective coaching conversations among four matched triads during their EI sessions and explores both EIP coaching strategies and caregivers’ responses. Findings suggest that EIPs use a variety of strategies to promote caregiver reflection and deliver supportive reflective feedback during EI sessions. Correspondingly, caregivers provided varied responses matching EIP strategies. Implications highlight the need for EIP training in various reflection and feedback caregiver coaching strategies for working with caregivers.