Through exploring the Harvard University’s Center on the
Developing Child’s website, I was able to discover several interesting
resources and projects that are working towards educating professionals,
families, and researchers on the many levels of early childhood mental health.
Several of the resources and papers available to read pertain to how we can
work to support children when working against things such as, but not limited
to, toxic stress and biology’s affect on children’s resilience in adverse
situations. Resources are in the form of papers, research briefs, and video
summaries of several findings.
Within the resources available through the CDC’s website, an
incredibly important topic is available for viewers to read through: the stages
of neglect. As professionals in the early childhood field, we are required to
be mandated reporters. Yet, as I have come to learn, many professionals are not
sure what specific incidents qualify as neglect or abuse. Through the same link
to the Paper in Progress of the InBrief series, one can find a 5 minute video
research brief that identifies the science of neglect. The video outlines the
most basic definition of neglect, stating that neglect is when a child does not
receive a return of an interaction, whether it is a vocal or visual “serve”, if
the “return” is not provided a child’s biological needs are not being met.
Hi Alyssa -
ReplyDeleteWhat great information you have posted. It is very interesting to see that neglect comes in more than just physical and emotional. I don't think I have ever thought about biological neglect. We are all mandated reporters and I find that most teachers not only "are not sure what specific incidents qualify as neglect or abuse" as you state, but I have found that many teachers are scared to report. They feel they might make that call and they have misinterpreted the situation or they are afraid the parents will find out it was them that reported it and be upset. I have also witnessed one director who stated they don't report, but try to work with the parents because they don't want to loose the parent's business.
Thanks for sharing - this is just another resource I can add to my collection for helping programs.
Gena
Alyssa,
ReplyDeleteI visitd the website as well and found several interesting resources and projects. I think that it is a great resource and that lists the many of the main issue of how we can work to support children when working against things such as, but not limited to, toxic stress and biology’s affect on children’s resilience in adverse situations. I agree most resources on the website are in the form of papers, research briefs, and video summaries of several findings.
I agree that as professionals in the early childhood field, there is a requirement to report issues that are discovered to those who can help. I did not know that many professionals are not able to identify what specific incidents qualify as neglect or abuse.
Thank you for sharing this information!I am surprised to know that it is not clear about what being a mandated reporter is. I take this role very seriously and I hope in the future everyone understands their responsibility.
ReplyDeleteThis information was very well received. The part you shared about being a mandated reporter as an early childhood field is so very important to our profession. The well-being of children is always the top priority. I will definitely be sharing this information with other professionals. Thank you for sharing with me!
ReplyDeleteGreat summary, Alyssa. Thank you for sharing. The sentence being a mandated reporter really resonated with me. These are our children and should be looked at as such. We want them all to be treated as we would treat our own biological children. All children deserve love, attention, and us with their best interests at heart.
ReplyDelete