Discussion: Age-Appropriate Infant Scenario * Module 2 Page 24 (12/13)

6/4/2016

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Please read the scenario, then discuss the following questions:

Do you think this behavior or expectation is age-appropriate?
If so, how could you explain this to the parents/co-workers?
Is there anything you can do to prevent this situation from happening again?

Infant Scenario:
Jamal is almost 10 months old and just entering the separation anxiety stage—when older babies or young toddlers resist separating from their primary caregiver. This is a normal part of growth and development and a milestone in social-emotional development that shows Jamal’s attachment to his mother. Jamal’s parents are concerned because he is now crying and clinging when his parents bring him in the morning. They are worried that something has happened to him since he didn’t act this way for the previous 4 months he’d been at your center.

22 Comments

Marty

9/7/2018 08:11:06 pm

This is age appropriate behavior. I would explain this is the next stage of development for,the child. Once the parents leave this child will quiet down. The child will grow,out of this stage

Bret

9/8/2018 01:15:54 pm

1. Yes because the child is starting to form attachments

2. I would explain that the child is forming new attachments and bonds and that that's a good milestone. It is normal and it will pass.

3. I would keep showing them love and nurturing as always.

leniza

9/8/2018 02:22:29 pm

separation anxiety is normal at this age and it is very hard for parents etoo. both sides need a time to go through this time,i will try my best to help a child and talk to parents,maybe updating his condition during the day to fell better for parents

Sarah

9/8/2018 08:16:26 pm

Separation anxiety is very normal, and this is something I would gladly explain to the parents. While a child grows into each new stage they start to feel new feelings and how to deal with those.
If the parents wold like me to keep a record how the child is doing once the parents have left, and give them updates.

Erin

9/9/2018 06:12:15 pm

Yes, this behavior is completely normal for a child going into 10 months of age, it is the age that children develop an attachment to there parents, and are experiencing stranger danger. I would explain this to the parents, reassure them that we will do anything that we can to help not only sooth the baby but also sooth them, inform them that they are more then welcome to call in after leaving to ensure that the child has calmed down. I would recommend working with the facility director and the parents to realty out a schedule in place, having the child dropped off at the same time daily and with the same person everyday will likely make this transition easier and shorter.

krystal hooper

9/9/2018 06:29:17 pm

as the scenario itself stated this is “normal part of growth and development and a milestone in social-emotional development”.You could explain this to parents/co-workers by explaining your observations of jamal’s daily activities, and how they have been throughout the last few months leading to this. You could also mention the developmental appropriateness of this new behavior. You can work with jamal and his parents in easing the stress in this transitional step to their morning routine by offering and extra hand when they enter in the morning as well as communicating with them later about how jamal was after the drop off and throughout the day

Zoe LaRock

9/10/2018 03:16:21 pm

This is normal! Jamal is at the age during which leaving parents is really tough. He innately recognizes his reliance on them, and because he hasn't yet developed object permanence, he's unable to realize that they'll come back. I'd explain this developmental stage to his parents and tell them that it's totally normal. I'd explain that all normatively developing children experience this around his age, and it's a good sign that he is, too. The most I could do is assure that I'll make the environment as comfortable and home-like for Jamal.

Shyla Gregory

9/10/2018 03:17:03 pm

Jamal's behavior is age appropriate.
I would assure mom that this is typical for his age and actually a social/emotional milestone being reached. My co-workers and I would want to to work together to comfort mom through first time separation anxiety, reassuring her and being there for any of her concerns. Although this behavior isn't "preventable" we could ease the drop off situation by handing off Jamal to a caregiver, aiming to soothe and comfort, then use distraction techniques like playing with a ball or going to the window to wave to mom as she leaves. It will be important to make both mom and Jamal feel safe and secure in this new stage of development.

bebe nirere

9/12/2018 02:33:08 pm

Yes, this behavior is completely normal for a child going into 10 months of age, it is the age that children develop an attachment to there parents, and are experiencing stranger danger

Mya Edwards

9/12/2018 02:49:52 pm

Do you think this behavior or expectation is age-appropriate?
Absolutely, this is a completely normal common stage for children of this age
If so, how could you explain this to the parents/co-workers?
That it is simply a stage that all children experience at this age and that there is nothing to be overly concerned about
Is there anything you can do to prevent this situation from happening again?
Making the classroom a fun and welcoming place to be so that he is excited to be there, and by finding the best drop off strategy, such as distracting the hild and quietly slipping out of the room

Keren Williams

9/13/2018 01:30:05 pm

This is normal behavior for most children at 10 months. I would explain it to the parents that this is a normal process of their development, that the behavior may continue for a few weeks. I would suggest to them that it is often best for them to leave quickly. I have seen parents try to trick the child, but this sets the stage for mistrust. I would tell them that they will soon be playing fine, and suggest that they call after 15 minutes to see if the child has calmed down.

Sheila Priscilla

9/13/2018 10:49:07 pm

Yes, this is totally normal behavior and age-appropriate because at the early age, kids are usually thinking that their parents or guardians are leaving them and never come back.
I would explain to the parents that this is a normal behavior especially when they are at that separation-anxiety stage.I would recommend the parents to leave the kids fast to the hands of the caregivers and not overly spoiling the kid before they leave it to the caregivers. The caregivers could also find the toys that the kids would like and make them distracted from the parents that are leaving.

Uma Maheswari

9/14/2018 01:54:41 am

I believe this is normal behavior. Children will go through phases when they dont want to be separated from their parents. This will come and go as the child is growing up and get into the routine it’s just something that is new for them so the caregiver would have to be understanding of that and let the parent know that you will make sure their child feel welcome and is in good care.

taylor rohm

9/14/2018 11:05:20 am

Do you think this behavior or expectation is age-appropriate? Yes, this is normal for babies to be attached to their parents at this stage.
If so, how could you explain this to the parents/co-workers? Explain that there is scientific proof that children go through this stage.
Is there anything you can do to prevent this situation from happening again? If the parents do not feed into and leave immediately after the baby gets there.

maryan gelle

9/14/2018 02:14:11 pm

1-Yes, this is a normal behaviors for infants at this age.
2- I would reassure the parents that this is normal and indicates their child's attachment to them. I would tell them that it improves over time and that we will do everything to calm their child
3- It does get better over time so nothing major is necessary, but to help we would implement a routine where the child is welcomed by their favorite staff member every time

Katelyn Hazzard

9/14/2018 06:43:45 pm

1. Yes this is very age appropriate
2. I would explain to the parent that this is a normal part of his development and that it is just a phase.
3. It will gradually go away with time, nothing really can be done besides being well taken care of

Damla

9/14/2018 11:49:11 pm

Jamal's behavior is normal for a 10 month old.I would explain to the parents/co-workers that this is a normal behavior especially when they are at that separation-anxiety stage and also seeing the other kids and learning from them. i would try to comfort and redirect to child something that he likes. i can give the child some time to get use to it.

Nirmala Sam

9/15/2018 01:19:58 pm

Separation anxiety is a normal stage in an infant's development. A child’s perception that it’s parent will be gone and not come back is one of the reasons for the anxiety. It usually ends at around age 2, when toddlers begin to understand that a parent may be out of sight right now but will return later. Their distress changes to confidence and trust as they see consistency in their parent’s return. To resolve the feelings of separation anxiety, a child must develop an adequate sense of safety in their environment, as well as trust in people other than their parents, and trust in the parent's return. A caregiver has to keep this in mind when he/she witnesses this. The parent need to be educated about it and should be reassured that as the child starts to understand that the separation will end at some point in time the behaviors will change. The caregiver should be able to continue provide the loving assurances and care the child would need at this time.

Woo-Jung Ra

9/15/2018 02:37:32 pm

Showing separating anxiety at 10 months old is very typical. I would tell the parents that this is very normal so they do not need to feel worried or guilty. I also would tell them that they baby will be continuously crying when they drop her off but she will get better. Parents need to tell the baby that they are leaving now but they will come and pick her up later and confidently leave right away. I will pick up the baby and tell her that she is safe and her parents will be back.

Debora Meloy

9/17/2018 04:33:31 pm

Its quite normal. They just realize that the parent is leaving, and with patience from the caregiver the child will eventually transition into it and after while they will learn that the parent will come back and that this is the norm.

Yarely Contreras

9/18/2018 01:03:08 pm

Jamal is experiencing typical separation anxiety which infants experience at this stage of development. I would explain to the parents that during this age, infants begin forming strong attachments to their caregivers and that it is actually a good sign of a healthy attachment to their parents. Co-workers should have an understanding of this and together can work along with the parents by communicating how well Jamal is doing once the parents leave. As staff we should also attempt to build a trusting relationship with the parents and the child to help ease the transition.

Katie Ness

9/18/2018 11:16:33 pm

You can explain to the parents and co workers that separation anxiety at this age level is normal and is a milestone for social emotional development. Assure them that it's not anything bad that happened. It is a part of development at early age and usually happens when they get older and start to make connections with their world. To help the infant the caregiver can distract the child from the parent leaving with a calming activity assuring them that they are ok and safe.

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Discussion: Age-Appropriate Infant Scenario * Module 2 Page 24 (12/13)

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