Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) requires a comprehensive approach — one that extends beyond the walls of your Michigan child care center and includes parent education.

As a child care professional, you play an essential role in creating a safe, supportive environment for infants. While all Michigan child care providers are required to train their staff on SBS prevention, sharing this knowledge with families is equally important. Parents trust you as a valuable source of guidance, and engaging them in your SBS prevention strategy creates a much stronger safety net for the infants in your care.

Understanding the fundamentals through training like our free Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome course is essential and a requirement for all child care staff in the state of Michigan. But parents need tools, too — especially during those challenging moments when a baby's crying feels overwhelming.

Here are seven practical ways to incorporate parent education into your center's Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention strategy.

1. Introduce the "Normal Crying Curve" During Enrollment

As someone who works closely with infants, you know that crying is a normal and expected part of development — but for many parents, excessive crying can feel confusing and overwhelming. Sharing information about the "normal crying curve" (sometimes called colic or PURPLE crying) can help parents feel reassured and prepared.

What is PURPLE crying? PURPLE crying describes a typical period in a baby's early life when they cry more than usual. The term "PURPLE" is an acronym that stands for:

• Peak of Crying: Crying intensity peaks at around 6-8 weeks and then gradually decreases by 3-5 months of age.
• Unexpected: Crying can come and go without an apparent reason.
• Resists Soothing: Babies may continue crying despite soothing efforts.
• Pain-like Face: Babies may appear to be in pain even when they are not.
• Long-lasting: Crying episodes can last 30-40 minutes or longer.
• Evening: Crying may occur more frequently in the late afternoon or evening.

To help parents understand PURPLE crying, you can create your own resources or use free materials available from the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome.

These resources include educational videos, downloadable handouts, and an app parents can use to access support strategies on the go. Sharing these tools through enrollment packets, emails, or parent meetings can help parents feel more confident when faced with prolonged crying periods.

2. Create Take-Home Comfort Kits

When parents feel overwhelmed in the moment, having a visual reminder of coping strategies can make all the difference. Providing take-home comfort kits is a simple yet powerful way to give parents practical support when they need it most.

Consider preparing a kit for each new enrollment or when a baby transitions to a new room. Here are some helpful items to include:

• A small stress relief item (stress ball, fidget toy)
• A card with your center's number and a reminder that it's okay to call for support
• A brief list of calming techniques for both baby and parent. Check out this resource from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
• A refrigerator magnet with a reminder: "It's okay to put baby down in a safe place and take a 5-minute break."
• Information about Michigan family support resources

These kits serve as a helpful reminder that frustration is normal — and that there are safe, effective ways to cope.

3. Empower Families Through Engaging Workshops

Workshops can be a great way to connect with and educate parents, and they don’t have to be complicated. Roundtable-style discussions where teachers share their knowledge and experiences can be especially meaningful.

Consider offering evening Zoom sessions or scheduling in-person workshops with child care provided to maximize participation. Here are a few effective workshop ideas for parents with children aged 12 months or younger:

• Crying and Soothing Strategies
• Developmental Stages in the First Year
• Introducing Solid Foods
• Infant Sleep Basics

Follow up with simple take-home materials like handouts, resource links, or brief video summaries.

4. Provide Families a "Frustration Response Plan" Worksheet

Help parents create a concrete plan for what to do when they reach their limit.

The worksheet should guide parents to:

• Identify 2-3 people they can call when feeling overwhelmed
• List calming activities that work for them personally (deep breathing, stepping outside)
• Create a short script for asking for help without embarrassment
• Plan for challenging scenarios (middle of the night, when alone)

This proactive planning increases the likelihood that parents will reach out for support rather than reaching a breaking point.

5. Share Soothing Technique Videos

Visual demonstrations can be much more effective than written descriptions, especially for hands-on techniques. You can create your own videos featuring caregivers from your center and children in your care — or gather trusted resources like those from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Video content ideas:

• Proper swaddling technique
• Effective holding positions for fussy babies
• Creating white noise with household items
• Gentle movement and rhythmic patting
• Caregiver self-calming exercises

Keep videos short (1-2 minutes) and easily accessible through email links, your center's website, or app.

6. Incorporate Check-Ins About Crying Management

Rather than waiting for parents to bring up challenges, normalize conversations about crying management during regular communications.

Sample questions to incorporate:

• "How have the nights been going this week?"
• "Has [baby] had any particularly fussy periods recently?"
• "What soothing techniques seem to be working best at home?"
• "Is there anything about [baby's] crying or sleep that's been concerning you?"

These questions open the door for parents to discuss challenges without feeling singled out or judged.

7. Create a Lending Library of Resources

Provide additional resources parents can borrow to deepen their understanding and skills.

Items to include:

• Books about infant crying and soothing (like "The Happiest Baby on the Block")
• Swaddle blankets in different styles to try
• Sound machines to test before purchasing
• Infant massage instruction materials

A lending library makes premium resources accessible to all families regardless of budget constraints.

Get Started on Your Action Plan

Ready to enhance your parent education approach? Here's how to begin:

• Start small by implementing just one strategy from this list in the next month.
• Share this information with your entire staff so everyone uses consistent language around crying management.
• Connect with Michigan-specific resources for additional materials designed for parent education.

Remember that the goal of parent education isn't to alarm families but to support them. With thoughtful implementation, these strategies can enhance your relationships with families while creating safer environments for infants both in your care and at home.

🌟 Unlimited Access to Michigan-Aligned Training 🌟

Want to deepen your center's approach to child safety and parent partnerships? ProSolutions Training offers subscriptions with state-aligned courses tailored just for Michigan. These comprehensive training options ensure your staff is classroom-ready and compliant with state requirements.

Here are a few key courses included in our subscription:

✅ Building Positive Relationships with Families

✅ Health and Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification

✅ And many more Michigan-approved courses!

Our subscription is designed to make staff training easier, help you meet compliance, and allow your team to manage their classrooms confidently.

For Child Care Center Directors:

Managing training for your entire staff? Our Group Subscription includes unlimited access to all required South Carolina health and safety courses, including Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention training. Track completion, manage assignments, and ensure compliance all in one place. Director features include staff tracking, assignment management, and comprehensive reporting—all designed to save you time and reduce your administrative burden. 📊

For Individual Teachers:

Want access to all South Carolina-required courses at one affordable price? Our Individual Subscription gives you unlimited access to our complete Michigan course library, including all annual required training. Perfect for teachers looking to advance their careers and maintain their credentials with high-quality, state-approved training.

This blog post is for informational purposes and does not replace comprehensive Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention training. For official Michigan child care licensing requirements, please refer to the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.