Ask Dr. BKW - Can early childhood educators spank children in child care facilities?

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:

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

Discipline and behavior management policy at http://ncchildcare.nc.gov/pdf_forms/discipline.pdf

Gordon, A.M., & Williams-Browne, K.  (2016).  Beginning essentials in early childhood education (3^rd 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.

Summary of the North Carolina Rules and Regulations at http://ncchildcare.nc.gov/pdf_forms/summary_ncchildcare_laws_rules.pdf