Name three core tenets of family-centered care relevant to child life practice.

• A. Independent decision-making without family input.
• B. Collaboration with families, respect for the family’s role and expertise, and open, culturally sensitive communication.
• C. Prioritizing physician convenience over family preferences.
• D. Reducing family involvement to expedite care.

Answer: (B)

Partnering with families is fundamental in child life practice. The best answer reflects three core tenets: collaboration with families, respect for the family’s role and expertise, and open, culturally sensitive communication.

Collaboration means families and professionals work as equal teammates in planning and implementing care. This partnership helps ensure that interventions—like preparation for procedures, coping strategies, and daily routines—are aligned with the child’s needs and the family’s goals, which increases comfort and engagement for the patient.

Respect for the family’s role and expertise acknowledges that families know the child best—the child’s preferences, routines, and values. Incorporating their insights into goals and decisions leads to care plans that fit the child’s life context and fosters trust.

Open, culturally sensitive communication involves giving clear, truthful information in an understandable way, inviting questions, and listening actively. It also means honoring cultural, linguistic, religious, and individual family differences and providing appropriate supports such as interpreter services or culturally relevant resources.

Together, these tenets create a care environment where families feel valued, informed, and involved, which is central to effective psychosocial support and successful coping for the child and family.