Children understand adoption differently at different ages and stages of development. How do you talk with your kids about adoption? In this course, we talk with Mark Lacava, LCSW-R, the Executive Vice President of the Pre and Post Adoption Services Department at Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children about how parents can talk about adoption with their children.

The course covers the following learning objectives:

  • Explain how children of different age groups understand adoption.
  • Discuss how openness in an adoption impacts how an adopted child understands adoption.
  • List the important points an adopted child should understand at each stage of development.
  • List some common questions that adopted children may ask about adoption at different developmental stages.


Outline for Talking with Kids About Adoption at Different Ages.pdf

*This course includes a 1-hour conversational audio lesson, a 10-question quiz, and a certificate of completion with the successful completion of the quiz at 80%. 

Your course will remain active for 180 days from purchase date.

This course aligns with the following regulatory requirements.

Hague Treaty on Intercountry Adoption

 96.38 (b)(10)


*Important Information for agencies on Hague Training Requirements


Virginia Compliance

22VAC40-131-210.A.13 

22VAC40-131-210.A.18 



*Important Information for agencies on Virginia core competencies.


Illinois Licensing Standard §401.520

*Important Information for agencies on Illinois Adoption Requirements.


Nebraska Licensing Requirement 005.16(D)(i)(7)

*Important Information for agencies on Nebraska Adoption Requirements.