Reference no: EM133599810

Problem

Do you know the difference between abuse and neglect? Do they go hand in hand? Would you know what to do in either situation?

Review the scenarios in the Readings and Resources on being a mandatory reporter as an early childhood professional.

Choose one of the scenarios below and respond to the questions that go with that scenario.

Scenario I: One morning, a teacher in a small, private center notices deep, symmetrical bruises on a young toddler's upper arms. She immediately reports this to the Owner/Administrator of the center. The Director reassures her that it is "nothing to worry about" and reminds her that the child's mother is a volunteer at the school, and then suggests that she return to her classroom. The teacher has never noticed any previous bruises anywhere on the child's body. Keeping in mind that the owner/administrator did not seem concerned, answer each of the following discussion prompts:

1. Would you take it upon yourself to ask the mother how the child obtained the bruises?

2. Assuming the child was verbal, would you ask them what happened?

3. If the mother and child had two different versions, would you suspect abuse and why?

4. Knowing you have an ethical responsibility to the child and have never noticed any other bruises, would you report this since you are a mandated reporter?

Scenario II: A 3-year-old girl comes to school each morning usually wearing the same clothes from the day before, her face unwashed, and her hair all matted. She has rarely dressed appropriately for the weather. Her jacket is so small that it does not even zip up. When the children are outside playing, she stands by the door the whole time, wanting to go in because she is so cold and only has too small of a jacket to keep her warm.

1. Is this considered abuse or neglect? Why or why not?

2. What steps would you take if this was a child in your class?