As part of the “Introduction to Early Childhood Education”
class a portion of time is set aside for students to raise questions needed for
clarification. It is reiterated that
enrolled students go back to their places of employment to ensure that all children/students in conjunction with
their parents/family members are given high-quality culturally developmentally
age appropriate practices.
The student posed this questions “What does a teacher do
when they see another teacher spank a child?”
in prior classes the issue of child abuse, neglect and maltreatment were
discussed then revisited to ensure the student understand her role related to
the action witnessed.
NO!, was written on
the whiteboard to give the quick response.
However, I had to provide the student with supported documentations to
grasp it was not a personal opinion.
Below are documentations/conversations that was represented prior and
new information to assist with next step(s) for action.
1.
Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment
– A positon statement of the National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC) at
http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf
“The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct offers guidelines for responsible
behavior and set forth a common basis for resolving the principal ethical
dilemmas encountered in early childhood care and education (Gordon &
Williams-Browne, 2016, p. 224).
Section
I: Ethical responsibilities to children
I-1.5:
To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children’s
social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and that respect their
dignity and their contributions.
P-1.1: Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that
are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading,
dangerous, exploitative or intimidating to children. This principle has precedence over all others
in this Code.
P-1.8: We shall be familiar with the risk factors
for and symptoms of child abuse and neglect, including physical, sexual, verbal
and emotional abuse and physical, emotional, educational and medical
neglect. We shall know and follow state
laws and community procedures that protect children against abuse and neglect.
P-1.9: When we have reasonable cause to suspect
child abuse or neglect, we shall report it to the appropriate community agency
and follow up to ensure that appropriate action has been taken. When appropriate, parents or guardians will
be informed that the referral will be or has been made.
P-1.10: When another person tells us of his or
her suspicion that a child is being abused or neglected, we shall assist that
person in taking appropriate action in order to protect the child.
P-1.11: When we become aware of a practice or
situation that endangers the health, safety, or well-being of children, we have
an ethical responsibility to protect children or inform parents and/or others
who can.
Section
III: Ethical responsibilities to colleagues
B-Responsibilities
to employers
P-3B.3: We shall not violate laws or regulations
designed to protect children and shall take appropriate action consistent with
this Code when aware of such violations.
P-3B.5: When we have a concern about
circumstances or conditions that impact the quality of care and education
within the program, we shall inform the program’s administration or, when
necessary, other appropriate authorities.
In the state of North Carolina as part of the parents/family
members orientation packet includes the
“Discipline and Behavior
Management Policy” view
http://ncchildcare.nc.gov/pdf_forms/discipline.pdf
where
name of child, signature of parents/guardians and dated.
The first bullet statement in the right-hand
column states, “We DO NOT spank, shake, bite, pinch, push, pull, slap, or
otherwise physically punish the child.
It should be noted, I told the student (all) to
post this document
on the “Parent Board” and highlight the above statement for
parents/family members to view periodically.
The Summary of the North Carolina Child Care Law and Rules can
be viewed at
http://ncchildcare.nc.gov/pdf_forms/summary_ncchildcare_laws_rules.pdf that has a sub-category titled, “
Child Abuse or Neglect”.
Within the paragraph it is bolded “
North Carolina law requires any person who
suspects child abuse or neglect to report the case to the county department of
social services”. Also any person
call the Division of Child Development and Early Education at (919) 527-6500 or
1-800-859-0829 to report suspected child abuse or neglect in a child care
facility (can be made anonymously).
Child care licensed facilities in North Carolina as part of
the star-rated system include have the infant-toddler environment rating scale
(ITERS) and early childhood environment rating scale revised (ECERS-R)
completed in relationship to environment contents. Within the ECERS-R number 31 Discipline under
column 3 (minimal) stated, “3.1 Staff do not use physical punishment or severe
methods” (Harms, Clifford, & Cryer, 1998, p. 39).
In addition, new rules adopted September 23, 2016 by North
Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education were one is “Child
Care Rule 10A NCAC 09.0705 Special Training Requirements.
All staff members shall complete “Recognizing
and Responding to Suspicious of Child Maltreatment within two months of
employment.
This training is available
online
https://www.preventchildabusenc.org/services/trainings-and-professional-development/rrcourse
It must be noted that current employed staff must complete by June 30,
2017.
Also copies of certificates of all
ITS-SIDS, Playground Safety and Child Maltreatment must be in staff member’s
files.
Yes, from the initial question posed, the inquiring student
but for all were given this information hardcopies of documents and posted in
Sakai online to ensure they were equipped with the knowledge, skills and
disposition when faced with this or similar actions related to child abuse,
neglect and/or maltreatment of children/students who depend on adults to
maintain their safety.
Therefore, the answer is “NO” we
do not spank children/students in our classrooms and/or in the learning
facilities. If one witness a colleague
using physical actions report to local Department of Social Services and/or
State Division of Child Development of Education and Early Care and talk with
administrators. Remember, to document
with date, time and actions of people involved.
If it is possible video tape as well.
One must know your STATE rules and regulations to reporting child abuse,
neglect or maltreatment and the proper change of command. WE must respect ALL children in providing a
healthy safe environments for learning.
Yes, we are the caretakers for the voiceless children.
Let’s take a look into ways to respond that are
developmentally age appropriate (DAP) as an educator’s role modeling
appropriate behaviors as the adult in the learning environment.
1.
Remove yourself from the child.
2.
Take 3 or more deep breaths to regroup and
resolve the situation appropriately.
3.
If needed, ask colleague to join group
(maintaining teacher-child ratio) while you step out of the room to collect
your thoughts and return when ready to continue facilitating learning.
4.
Engage in conversation with child of act and
discuss appropriate ways to resolve in the positive.
Children follow the actions we as adults model for
them. Our goal for discipline is to
guide them positive appropriate solutions not physical harm that may continue
into adulthood. STOP! THINK! RESPOND in positive manners.
References:
Gordon, A.M., & Williams-Browne, K. (2016).
Beginning essentials in early
childhood education (3rd ed.).
Boston, MA: Cengage.
Harms, T., Clifford, R. M., & Cryer, D. (1998).
Early childhood environment rating
scale revised edition.
New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
