Caleb (4 years old) is playing with the wooden blocks in the construction area, Michael (3 years old) comes over sits down and joins Caleb. Caleb jumps up, throws his hands in the air, then picks up a block. Caleb begins to yell at Michael to go away, he throws the block and hits Michael's head and continues to scream while Michael is crying and holding his head.

Mona, the educator, approaches Michael and begins to comfort him, checking his head and assuring him he will be alright. Michael approaches slowly and as he does Mona quietly says to him "what should we do if we hurt someone Caleb?" Caleb leans down toward Michael's face and says "Sorry Michael", reaching out to stroke his head "are you okay?"

Mona thanks Caleb and asks him "Caleb what should you have said to Michael, rather than getting upset and throwing the block"? Caleb now looks very sad and say's "I should have used my words". "Yes that's right" agrees Mona.

Mona asks Caleb, "Caleb why did you get so upset with Michael"? "I didn't want him playing he will mess up my blocks".

Mona said "Well Michael won't know how you feel if you don't use words, what do you think you should have said to him". Caleb just looked a Mona. Mona suggested that Caleb should have asked Michael to please be careful and don't mess up my blocks and suggest that he move a bit over on the floor and give him some extra blocks to play with.

Michael has now calmed down and he is listening to the conversation. Caleb bends down and hugs Michael and again says "Sorry".

Mona asks Michael if he still wants to play with the blocks, when he says yes, Mona asks Caleb if that is okay and does he want to still build and Caleb says yes, so Mona asks him to please play with Michael and to use his words if he is worried Michael might be messing his blocks.

1. What strategies did Mona initiate that were consistent with Caleb's abilities, to support him to manage his behaviour?

2. How could Mona consult with Caleb's family to establish guidelines that would be relevant to their culture and background and in keeping with service policies?

3. Discuss how Mona established guidelines by collaborating with Caleb?

4. Discuss if you thought Mona responded to this incident in a timely manner , that was calm and consistent and explain your answer

5. Discuss how the following standards and frameworks help your understanding of how to resolve the incident between Caleb and Michael.
· National Quality Standard: element 5.2.2 and 5.2.3
· The Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics 2006
· The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
· Service policies and procedures

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Mona initiated a number of strategies that were consistent with Calebs abilities to support him to manage his behavior These strategies included Comforting Michael Mona first attended to Michaels phys... View the full answer