Care Provider Attunement Checklist

Care Provider Attunement Checklist Jane F. Gilgun, Ph.D., LICSW

This checklist is for parents and other caregivers who want to see if they are attuned to their children. Studies have shown that attunement is a cornerstone for children’s healthy development as well as a cornerstone in recovery from trauma. Attunement leads to healthy child emotional development and emotional expressiveness. Emotional expressiveness is the single most important factor in the lives of persons who have overcome adversities and go on to lead productive, happy lives. Attuned parents raise children who not only are emotionally expressive but who also are attuned to others and to themselves. This checklist is for parents, but it can be adapted to fit educators and anyone else who comes in contact with children. Directions: Circle the numbers that fit your situation using the checklist below. 0=never 1=occasionally 2=sometimes 3=often 4=always

Care Provider Attunement Checklist (Jane F. Gilgun © 2009, 2010)

Directions: Circle the numbers that best describe your situation. Never Occasionally Sometimes

Often

Always

1. I put aside my own worries and pay attention to my children. 0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

2. I help my children name their feelings. 3. I help my children to express a range of emotions. 4. I teach my children how to express emotions appropriately. 5. I teach my children how to set limits on how others express emotions to them. 6. I set aside time several times a week to spend with my children in mutually enjoyable activities. 7. I enjoy hearing about my children’s daily activities. 8. I empathize with my children’s feelings.

9. I respect my children’s feelings; I listen and don’t make fun of how my children feel. 0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

10. I encourage my children to talk to me when sad, afraid, angry, as well as happy and feel good. 11. My responses to children’s expression of emotions are balanced; I do not dismiss or over-react to children’s expression of emotions. 0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

0

1

2

3

4

12. I recognize when my own emotional responses are inappropriate. 13. I apologize to my children for my inappropriate expressions of emotion. 14. In general, my expressions of emotion are appropriate; by my behaviors I show children how to manage their emotions. 15. In general, I respect the feelings of others; by my behavior I show children how to respect others. 16. In general, I set limits on the emotional expressions of others; I require that others treat me with respect.

Scoring: There is no overall score, only scores for individual items. 4=Excellent 3=Very good 2=Your emotional availability in this area needs improvement. Be sure to acknowledge when you have not been emotionally available and make up for it. 1=your children’s emotional health is at risk. Get professional help. 0=Get professional help immediately. In any one item, 3’s and 4’s are very good. Scores of 2 means you need improvement. Scores of 1 mean your children’s emotional health is at risk. 0’s mean you have to do something about yourself immediately for your children’s sake and for your own. © 2009, 2010 by Jane F. Gilgun Note: Thanks to Carol Coffey Hannah for her help in formatting this checklist.