Case Study

Case Study
Brittany Clayton
Case Study
Brittany Clayton
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana

Case Study
Brittany Clayton
Teachers must deal with many situations daily, some of which are worse than others. In
this case study, a six-year-old girl has joined the class. She recently moved in with her
grandparents while her m om starts a new job in a different state. It is unclear how long she will
be staying with them and it seems to be negatively affecting her as she seems sad and lonely.
During recess it is noticed that she doesn’t go outside often and when she does, she seems to
have difficulty making friends. Talking to her guardians hasn’t seemed to work as they are not
concerned and do not want to be referred for help. When you are handling a situation in which a
child is obviously upset most of the time and the guardians do not want any action taken, you
must handle it carefully. The child could be feeling upset and angry because she has been with
her mother for her entire life and change is a hard thing for young children to grasp. She could
also feel abandoned by her mother and this could be causing her to keep to herself and not want
to interact.
In this situation I would sit down with the child and talk to her and find out what she
enjoys doing. I would continue to try and communicate with her and attempt to get her involved
in any activities that I could. Building a relationship with the children in your classroom will
help with trust and will help them feel comfortable coming to you when there is a problem. The
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct principal that I believe goes with this is, “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.” This principle is stating that
the child should feel safe in their surroundings and that the classroom should foster their
development. I also think that principle, P-1.7—"We shall strive to build individual relationships
with each child; make individualized adaptations in teaching strategies, learning environments,
and curricula; and consult with the family so that each child benefits from the program. If after
Case Study
Brittany Clayton
such efforts have been exhausted, the current placement does not meet a child’s needs, or the
child is seriously jeopardizing the ability of other children to benefit from the program, we shall
collaborate with the child’s family and appropriate specialists to determine the additional
services needed and/or the placement option(s) most likely to ensure the child’s success.
(Aspects of this principle may not apply in programs that have a lawful mandate to provide
services to a particular population of children.)” is part of this step of the process. This principle
is stating that building a relationship with the child and changing your lesson plans to help them
is an important step in building a rapport. Its also important to speak with guardians or other
family members to better understand a child’s needs as well.
Once I was able to connect with the child and was able to make a connection with her, I
would try and do different things with her such as trying to get her comfortable with the other
children and possibly make a friend. I would also research what I could about her family
background and use this information to make a plan to help her begin adjusting to the changes
that were happening. One of the principles that I believe goes well with this step is I-1.4—"To
appreciate the vulnerability of children and their dependence on adults.” This step is important to
understand because the child had depended on her mother for her entire life and now wasn’t able
to see her anymore and had to adjust to living with her grandparents. Once I had the information
that was needed, I would use this and try to come up with any other options that would be
available for the child that didn’t include bringing in outside sources. Principle I-1.7—"To use
assessment information to understand and support children’s development and learning, to
support instruction, and to identify children who may need additional services.” This principal in
other words says to use the information provided to support the child. Using principle P-1.5
—"We shall use appropriate assessment systems, which include multiple sources of information,
Case Study
Brittany Clayton
to provide information on children’s learning and development.” It is always important to use
multiple sources of information in order to determine the best approach for a child’s wellbeing.
Once I had spoken with the child and attempted to make her comfortable by introducing
her to the other children and working with her to make her comfortable enough to play with the
other children, I would speak with the grandparents again. I think that principle P-1.4—"We
shall use two-way communications to involve all those with relevant knowledge (including
families and staff) in decisions concerning a child, as appropriate, ensuring confidentiality of
sensitive information. (See also P-2.4.)” Communication is key to collaboration and resolution
and growth.
While speaking with them I would attempt to understand why they didn’t want to bring in
outside help by putting myself in their shoes. I would be empathetic to the fact that this was
something they didn’t expect to happen, but they were still loving enough to help. Principle I-2.4
—” To listen to families, acknowledge and build upon their strengths and competencies, and
learn from families as we support them in their task of nurturing children.” I would do
everything possible to let them know that I was on their side and that I wouldn’t do anything that
wasn’t in the best interest of the child. That I, like them, only wanted what was best. Principle I-
2.2—"To develop relationships of mutual trust and create partnerships with the families we
serve.”
If the grandparents chose to accept the help that I was offering I would make sure to
provide them help from any resource that I was privy to. Principle 2.15 states that it is our job to
be familiar with resources to help the families. P-2.15—"We shall be familiar with and
appropriately refer families to community resources and professional support services. After a
Case Study
Brittany Clayton
referral has been made, we shall follow up to ensure that services have been appropriately
provided.” We want to ensure that every effort has been made to do the best for the child.
There are many principles that can be considered in this situation. Our goal as a teacher
and mentor is to do our best to help the child in any way that we can. If I was not able to
convince the grandparents to help the child, I would attempt different methods to ensure they
have support. I would speak with them about different methods that both of us could try with her
to help her open up and want to learn.
An agency near me that I found that could help with this situation is The Indiana
Association of Resources & Child Advocacy. “Founded in 1944, the Indiana Association of
Resources and Child Advocacy (IARCA) represents 90 member agencies covering a vast amount
of services, including but not limited to; residential care, foster care, home based services and
crisis stabilization.” (HiMama - Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy. (2019).
Retrieved 31 October 2019, from https://www.himama.com/childcare/associations/indiana-
association-of-resources-and-child-advocacy) Another agency that I found that would help the
child and grandparents is The Bureau of Child Care. “The mission of the Bureau of Child Care is
to provide all parents with informed childcare choices that promote their children's health, safety,
and future success in school.” (Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral.
(2019). Retrieved 31 October 2019, from https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/99/indiana-
association-child-care-resource-and-referral)
Some activities that I could do with the child would be to make her student of the day.
This is one thing that I have noticed every child loves to do. When she is the student of the day,
she will be the line leader, she will help me pass out papers, etc. This is a good way to get her
Case Study
Brittany Clayton
involved in the class activities and feel important. She can also speak with the children in the
class one on one and form connections. Another activity that I would want to do would be to
have game time. This is a fun way for the class to interact and to play. Games such as heads up
seven up and musical chairs are a great way to be active, and social.

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Case Study

Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana

family members to better understand a child’s needs as well.

assessment information to understand and support children’s development and learning, to

to provide information on children’s learning and development.” It is always important to use

families and staff) in decisions concerning a child, as appropriate, ensuring confidentiality of

to help her open up and want to learn.

Retrieved 31 October 2019, from https://www.himama.com/childcare/associations/indiana-

association-of-resources-and-child-advocacy) Another agency that I found that would help the

(2019). Retrieved 31 October 2019, from https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/99/indiana-

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