A group leader working with children under 10 should best enhance treatment by:

• A. Involving parents and asking them for input.
• B. Keeping the parents uninvolved.
• C. Reminding the children to speak softly at all times.
• D. B and C.

Answer: (A)

In group work with young children, engaging parents as active partners is essential for treatment effectiveness. Parents provide crucial information about the child’s behavior across settings, help tailor activities to the child’s developmental level, and reinforce skills and strategies at home, which supports transfer of gains from the group into daily life. This collaboration also enhances engagement and helps therapists monitor progress with a fuller picture of the child’s functioning.

Keeping parents uninvolved misses valuable home context and can hinder generalization of skills. Simply telling a child to speak softly at all times doesn’t address the child’s needs or family dynamics and isn’t a proven way to enhance treatment outcomes.