Understanding Adoption Terminology: The Power of Language
Language has a powerful influence on how adopted children and their families feel about their experiences. Using positive adoption terminology, like “birth family,” “permanency,” and “placed for adoption,” respects the child’s unique story and helps create an inclusive environment. Instead of phrases that may imply judgment or favoritism, such as “real parent” or “given up for adoption,” positive adoption language affirms each part of a child’s journey.
Respectful language is essential in schools, healthcare, and social services, where understanding and inclusivity can significantly impact a child’s self-esteem and sense of belonging. By promoting inclusive terminology, educators and professionals create a space where children feel acknowledged and understood. National Adoption Month is a great opportunity to educate ourselves and others on adoption language that builds respect and inclusivity for all families.
The Critical Role of Partnership: Stop Giving Trauma All the Power
Trauma can significantly impact adopted, foster, and kinship children. Collaboration among caregivers, parents, and professionals is crucial. This partnership creates a support network, fosters better communication, and builds resilience in children who have experienced trauma. iCare4aaff.org offers resources to help navigate this journey.
How Schools Can Recognize National Adoption Month
National Adoption Month is a chance for schools to show support for adopted students and make classrooms more inclusive. Schools can celebrate in simple, effective ways, from creating adoption-friendly bulletin boards to adding books on diverse families to libraries. Inclusive language, such as saying “grown-ups at home” rather than “mom and dad,” helps create a respectful, welcoming atmosphere for students with different family backgrounds. Teachers can modify family-oriented assignments, allowing students to celebrate unique traditions or values instead of focusing solely on family trees.
Hosting guest speakers or discussions on adoption can also foster understanding, promoting empathy among classmates. Schools can further support adopted students through professional development, like trauma-informed training, which helps educators understand and address the specific needs of students who may have experienced trauma.
By celebrating National Adoption Month with these simple actions, schools promote a compassionate, inclusive environment where all students feel seen and respected, enhancing school culture and building awareness of family diversity.
Empowering Our School Communities
At iCARE, we believe every child deserves to feel seen and valued. Through our initiative, we’re bringing diverse, inclusive books into school libraries that reflect the experiences of adopted, foster, and kinship children. Alongside this, we’re providing mental health training for educators, equipping them with the tools to support these students’ emotional well-being and foster a sense of belonging. Together, we can create school communities where every child’s story is celebrated, and their mental health is prioritized.
Critical Role of Trauma-Informed Schools
At iCARE, we understand how critical trauma-informed schools are in supporting adoptive, foster, and kinship children who have experienced complex trauma. School social workers act as detectives, unraveling the past through careful observation and collaboration to address behavior linked to trauma. By creating individualized support plans, these schools help children heal, learn, and thrive socially and academically.
Bound for Belonging
We’re excited to announce the Bound for Belonging: Book Bundle Giveaway! Schools who commit to NTI adoption competency training for their staff will qualify to win $200 in adoption, foster and kinship books from iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families for their school library to be awarded in May 2025.