Connecting for Kids on Facebook Connecting for Kids on Instagram Connecting for Kids on LinkedIn
  • Home |
  • Join us |
  • Get Involved |
  • Donate
Log in
Log in with Facebook Log in with Google
Forgot password
Connecting for Kids logo: Resources, Support & Community for Families

 

  • Home
  • Register
    • Adult Programs
      • Speaker Series
      • Support Programs
      • Workshops
      • Online Support
    • Programs with My Child
      • Music Therapy & More
      • Playgroups
      • Family Outings
    • Resource Fairs
      • Eastern Cuyahoga Resource Fair
        • ECRF Parking
        • 2025 Participants
      • Lorain County Resource Fair
        • LCRF Parking
        • 2025 Participants
      • Western Cuyahoga Resource Fair
        • WCRF Parking
        • 2025 Participants
      • Resource Fair Tips
        • Camp Questions
        • Therapist Questions
        • Social Skills Group Questions
      • Vendor Information
    • Adapted Library Programs
    • Ask Us
  • Resources
    • Service Provider Directory
    • Summer Program Directory
    • Family Education Topics
    • Resource Guides
    • How-To Guides
    • Awareness Programs
      • Parking Lot Safety
      • Sensory
      • Wandering
    • Parks & Playgrounds
  • Give Back
    • Donate
    • Topgolf FUNdraiser
    • Embrace the Pace 5K
      • 5K Course Map
      • Kids' Race Map
    • Inclusive 5K Sponsorship
    • Mental Health Awareness Month
  • About
    • Get Involved
      • Join
      • Volunteer
      • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Monthly Connect
    • Board of Directors
      • Board Members
      • Board Awards
    • Staff
    • Your Privacy
      • Website
      • Photography/Recording
    • Translation

Home   »   Resources  »  How-to Guides

Step 1

Build Your Child's Communication Binder

In this step, you will learn how to make a communication binder for your child. The binder is a tool to help you keep track of how your child is doing.

Materials

You will need:

  • 3-ring binder
  • 5 tab dividers
  • 3-hole punch
  • Pen

Getting Started

There are five sections in the communication binder:

  • Formal documents (include the IEP, 504 plan, behavior plan, report cards, progress notes, and standardized test scores)
  • Work samples (include examples of what your child is doing in school)
  • Data sheets (you will learn more about these in step 2)
  • School communications (include emails and notes about talks you had with your child's school team)
  • Contact list (list names, email addresses and phone numbers for people on your child's school team)

In addition to the five communication binder sections, some families appreciate keeping the following optional records:

  • Pregnancy & development (includes information about a child's birth and development that can help with problem-solving)
  • Medication log (includes types of medication and prescriber information that can be useful when communicating with school nursing staff)

Each section has a cover sheet to help you stay organized. Print them from here.

Watch a short video to help you get started:

For More Information

Listen to a podcast that gives more details about the documents you should keep in the binder.

Binder Sheets

Download free printable copies of the different sheets to help organize your information.


Go back to the menu

Go back

Next step 

Go to the next step

  • About Us |
  • Board of Directors |
  • Staff |
  • Privacy |
  • Contact Us |
  • Donate |
  • Join Us
Parker logo
Website supported by a grant from Parker.

Call, text or email:

Phone: 1-440-570-5908
Email: info@connectingforkids.org

Post Office Box:

30628 Detroit Rd. #252
Westlake, Ohio 44145

Copyright 2015-2025, Connecting for Kids of Westlake

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software