Family Stress Impacts Development – Case Study

Family Stress Impacts  Development  

Amanda Hasha is a 9-month-old girl who has been in  child care for the past three months. Lately, Sheila,  her primary caregiver, notices that Amanda is not  gaining weight, looks tired but does not sleep well,  and cries often. Sheila meets with the director and  the other caregivers in her classroom to share her concerns and listens as they all confirm her observations  and suggest a family conference. Sheila then sets up  a conference with Mrs. Hasha to discuss Amandas  problems.  Sheila starts the conference by describing her observations. She informs Mrs. Hasha that the other caregivers have observed the same behaviors and tells her the  steps that have been taken to comfort Amanda. Sheila  then asks Mrs. Hasha what she sees at home and listens  to her.  Mrs. Hasha: Ive had a lot of problems lately that Im  sure have affected Amanda. Her father had an accident  and is in the hospital, so I go to see him every chance  I can.  Sheila: My! It sounds like you have been under a lot  of stress and worry lately.  Mrs. Hasha: I just dont know what to do. No one else  is around to help, so I sometimes have Amandas sister  watch her even though shes only eight.  Sheila: So, youve had no help except for your older  daughter. It sounds overwhelming.  Mrs. Hasha: Yes, it certainly is! I wish I knew how to  get the kids cared for so I could be at the hospital more  often.  Sheila: It sounds like you really need help with the  children so you can help your husband more.  Mrs. Hasha: Thats right. Do you have any idea who  might help me?  Sheila: I know there are many sources for help in the  community. Have you thought to ask at the hospital,  your church, or here at school?  Mrs. Hasha: Thats a very good idea. Our church has  a volunteer program, but I dont want to impose on our  minister. She is very busy.  Sheila: Im sure your minister would help, if you  just talk with her. Would you like me to ask around at  some of the programs the county offers? Im sure help  is available for this kind of situation.  Mrs. Hasha: Yes. Thank you so much. I will ask at  church also. I know that Amanda will be better if she  has an adult to care for her when I cant be there.  Within a week, Mrs. Hasha has volunteers from her  church helping to care for the children. Amanda has  changed from being stressed to calm and happy. She  has begun to eat better at school, and minimal weight  gain has been noted. Through the use of a family conference, Sheila was able to help Mrs. Hasha share her  problems and arrive at solutions to improve Amandas  health and development.  

1. Discuss what warning signs Sheila noted in  Amandas behavior. Would you have wanted to act  on this information? Why or why not?  

2. How did Sheila use her relationships (i.e., colleagues and childs family) to support and enhance  her work with Amanda?  

3. Imagine that Sheila said the following during her  conversation with Mrs. Hasha: You leave Amanda  with your 8-year-old daughter. Do you know how  dangerous that is? How might the outcome of the  conversation been affected? Why?

Swim, Terri Jo. Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: Caregiving and Responsive Curriculum Development (p. 47). Cengage Learning. Kindle Edition.