Scenario 2

Discussion: Scenario 2 Conversations * Module 1 Page 20 (11)

6/1/2016

Scenario 2 :
The family was very upset when they came to pick up their son and found him dressed as a princess. They say they’re worried about him being teased and/or not understanding appropriate “male” behavior.

Using positive communication techniques, how would you handle this scenario?

32 Comments

Yesenia Perez

11/7/2018 09:49:42 pm

In this scenario i would address the parents concern and also try to explain to them that the child is learning gender roles and identity

Cinthya Viguerias

11/7/2018 11:49:09 pm

I would make sure to listen to the parents and their concern, and let them know that the center is a safe place for children to express themselves, no bullying or teasing is tolerated. I would make sure the parents felt heard but I would also explain to them that their son is at an age where imagination and creativity comes in all sorts of ways.

Beverly Starr

11/8/2018 09:29:24 am

I would explain it to the parents and reassure them that playing dress up is very natural and fun for children

Sheridan Turner

11/8/2018 04:07:50 pm

I would focus on praising their child’s imagination and acknowledging that all play, including dress up, is educational for children.

Noelle

11/8/2018 07:23:41 pm

I would first listen to the families concerned so that they feel like they have been heard and understood, then I would explain that it is very normal and helpful for children to play different roles and experience with dress up. Explain that many other boys in the class do the same thing and playing dress up and exploring is important in forming the child's sense of identity

Cassandra Rains

11/9/2018 10:55:58 am

The family was very upset when they came to pick up their son and found him dressed as a princess. They say they’re worried about him being teased and/or not understanding appropriate “male” behavior.

I would listen to and acknowledge the parents concerns. Reminding them that we don't allow bullying; but encourage children to learn who they are. Children often dress up as people they look up to, they imitate their role models; by doing so, it teaches them how to look through the eyes of another person. Also, if the child feels comfortable to express himself by dressing as the opposite sex, it means he feels safe, which is important for children to have positive growth and development.

William Caruthers

11/9/2018 03:06:40 pm

I would explain to the parents that it is completely normal for a young male child to play this way, this is how they learn and explore who they are and what and how they feel. the same way a young lady dresses u as a baseball or football player. It simply gives them a chance to discover who they are for themselves.

Gretchen

11/10/2018 11:13:46 am

I would first listen to the parents and hear where their concern is coming from. I would listen without waiting to respond, but really listen. Their concern might come from a place different then what your expecting them to say. Maybe they aren't worried about gender norms as much as they are worried about their child being bullied. As a teacher if you are too quick to respond, you might miss the point that the parents are making and also miss out on an opportunity to show the parents that you can be trusted to really listen to them. If the parents are concerned about gender norms, I would very delicately explain to them that at this age a child is playing and exploring. They are following their peers, who at this age are typically curious about all the toys and dress up clothes in the classroom just like their own child is. That in their eyes their is no gender norm, there is just new toys to play with. If they are worried about a child being bullied, I would acknowledge their concern but also again explain that at this age this is typically the type of play you would see in most kids and that his peers are also playing with all the different dress up clothes

lexi wasell

11/10/2018 12:07:41 pm

i see where the parents are coming from but i would explain to them that nothing is wrong with them wanting to wear a dress such as a girl wanting to wear a fireman outfit. i would explain that its completely normal for a child to want to wear something else just like its okay got a child to play with dolls or trucks

kayla ranta

11/10/2018 03:18:04 pm

I would first want to make sure that the parents feel heard, understood and that the teacher is willing to come along side them to insure that the parents and child are happy. It is also important to explain to the parents that it is very normal for young children to be curious and interested in exploring when it comes to play and that the daycare and teacher don't allow bullying in the classrooms.

Jennifer Martinez

11/11/2018 03:14:53 pm

Under disappointing circumstances, it is important to hear and listen to the parents thoughts on the situation. Following along, I would understand their unhappiness to their child's play choice by dressing in a princess dress, along with providing them with information that at their age children want to explore with all play available to them in the classroom. In addition, society and gender standards are not applicable at a young, so we allow them to play with what is available to them as long as they are having fun doing so. Comparing that girls also enjoy playing with legos and trucks, may help them understand that toys do not necessarily define who they are. They are involving themselves in pretend play, increasing their creativity and imagination.

Meseret

11/11/2018 03:39:06 pm

First I would not rush explain to the parents, instead I would wait and listen to what the parents have to say. Then I would explain that it is normal for children to play as different characters and dress up. Also many other male children in the class play dress up all the time and bulling is not tolerated in my center, so I would from the parent that their child is safe.

Ginger Clapper

11/11/2018 03:58:29 pm

A parent who is upset is most likely to need your understanding and listening ear as they relay their worries and concerns. It would also be important to reassure the parent that biting is a common issue that can be dealt with in a positive manner. Also,confidently discussing a game plan to address this issue may go a long way to help calm the parent and give them encouragement.

Brenda Figueroa

11/11/2018 04:18:41 pm

I will first listen to parents concerns, and also ill try to explain parents that kids at this age are very curios about everything and that its completely normal to do this things,kids are just exploring .but together we can find a solution for this if the parent still not happy with this behavior .

Charles Shevlin

11/12/2018 09:56:02 am

I would listen to the concern of the parent. I would explain to them that it is okay for a male child to wear dresses and such, just as girls wear masculine clothing, they are discovering who they are. I would also explain that we have a no bullying policy as well.

Britny Derton

11/12/2018 02:26:22 pm

I would listen to the parents' thoughts and concerns, assure them that it is very normal for a young boy to dress in dresses and pretend, it helps them expand their imaginations. I would assure them that teasing is not tolerated and that all children play dress up, it helps them find who they are.

Sheryl Johnson

11/12/2018 09:05:39 pm

I would first start with explaining to the family that we really try to address teasing as a behavior that is unkind and not appropriate in the class. I would then explain I understand their concern however it is very normal for boys to dress up especially if their friends are doing it. Curiosity is a very natural part of discovering one's self and that is a very healthy behavior and there should be no cause for concern at this time.

Brianda Kukulka Heredia

11/13/2018 12:27:38 pm

I would hear the families concerns without interruption, then I would let them know that children have great imaginations and what their child is doing is using his creative side of play. What their child is doing is completely ok, and is actually typical child behavior. Nothing to be concerned about.

Nicole

11/13/2018 12:41:56 pm

I would acknowledge the parent's feelings but assure them that this is the child's way of learning gender identity and expression. I would also assure them that no bullying or teasing in any form is acceptable in this classroom and would be put to a stop immediately. I would tell them that play is educational but listen to the parents if they have a specific way they want to go about this situation.

Krista Webb

11/13/2018 01:34:12 pm

I would listen to the parents concerns and then reassure them that dress up and role play is something that children do to figure out different roles in life. They often dress as someone they admire.

Katie Hosler

11/13/2018 03:06:41 pm

In this scenario, I would first empathize with the parents letting them know I understand their reaction to seeing their male child in female dress is not something the like to see and that's okay. Then, I would proceed to explain that their child is exploring concepts of identity and gender roles. Explain that the school is accepting of the child's interest in female dress. That children need to develop a positive self-identity in order to thrive in school and life, which is what their child is doing. I would ask if they had any questions, and answer them all to the best of my knowledge. Then would end by seeing if the parents wanted to be involved in the classroom for a short dress up play time with their child and teacher, to show that it is a healthy exploration.

Susan Adhikaram

11/14/2018 12:44:39 am

I would first listen and explain the parents that it is completely normal for children to play as different characters and dress up, which will help them a chance to come across who they are for themselves. I would also make sure the parent that no bullying will be allow in the class rooms.

ANNIE S LI

11/14/2018 10:10:42 am

Re-assure the parents that the school is a safe environment for their child to learn,discover, grow, and play.

Tiffany M.

11/14/2018 12:06:46 pm

I agree that re-assuring the parents that school is safe is the most important thing to add to any conversation where parents are concerned.

Tiffany M

11/14/2018 12:05:19 pm

The family was very upset when they came to pick up their son and found him dressed as a princess. They say they’re worried about him being teased and/or not understanding appropriate “male” behavior.

I would listen to their concerns and make sure to validate their feelings. Then I would reassure them that all the students in the class are taught to be understanding and kind, that their child is safe at school. Then I would go on to explain that it's typical that children want to dress up and use their imagination at this age. The child is exploring their identity and that our school is very supportive of all the students. I would make sure to take the time to answer any additional questions they may have.

Amy Sommerlatte

11/14/2018 12:36:21 pm

I would let them know that I understand their concerns. Then I would explain that here at school we love playing dress up and make believe and that their child was just having a good time. We try to include everyone in activities so If Sally wants to be a mechanic and Bobby wants to be a princess we accept that they are just trying new things.

Ratnamala Chakravorty

11/15/2018 12:15:19 pm

The first thing is to have an open mind as a teacher. Not to assume what they might say and get ready with a response. It is important for families or parents to be heard and to be assured that the teacher understands their concern. Families may have different values, culture or social norms. So it is important to listen to what they have to say. If they are concerned about the fact their 'boy' is dressed up like a girl and they are not happy about it because a boy should always dress up like a boy. We have to let them know first that we do understand their concern and then discuss that as a child grows up he sees the environment around himself. When he is interested in something he will try to imitate that and might take up a different gender role. It is a form of exploring things that he is surrounded with or it might be just a new interesting thing that he wanted to put on. Being so young he is not at stage to worry about gender norms.
Secondly, if the parents are worried about something else. That is what if the child is teased by his friends at school or laughed at. We have to give them assurance that we do not encourage any kind of bully behavior in the school and that we as teachers are always looking out for unnatural or non inclusive behavior where the child feels left out, sad or being not included.

sateva henderson

11/15/2018 02:45:44 pm

I would let them know that their child is at the age where they are using their imagination, and this facility does not accept bullying behavior. then I would make sure to answer any question they have

heidi kearns

11/15/2018 04:23:14 pm

hopefully that was the clothes for the boy. parents are required to have spare clothing.

Aubri Weber

11/16/2018 09:23:55 am

I would let the parents know that their son is at the age where dress up is fun and he is only using his imagination.

Hannah Tucker

11/16/2018 03:14:45 pm

Initially I would thank the parents for taking an interest in their child's education and assure them that we take their children's welfare and well being. I would then explain how children learn by making connections, and that dressing up and recreating life scenarios only means their child is developing at the appropriate rate. Furthermore I would explain that we encourage children to explore all sorts of toys and activities, stress that an active mind is something to be embraced. Keeping open communication and support is crucial when addressing parental concerns.

Michelle Nieves

11/16/2018 07:36:20 pm

I would work with the parent. I would let them know that we have talked about imaginary play and dressing up, and that it does not define the child, yet encourages playing with all children. While respecting the parents boundaries and finding out what they are ok with and what they do not want.

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Discussion: Scenario 2 Conversations * Module 1 Page 20 (11)

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