You are also required to recommen strategies to improve communication (do the effective communication)and you must use concepts from your textbook to support your ideas

(should explain what is effective communication, give examples of effective communication, and effective communication in the scenerio)

SCENARIO #6

(3 staff)

Staff #1 (Head Supervisor)

Is using a form of discipline that seems harsh to the other staff. She is not 'breaking' any policies, but is taking the discipline aspect of her job too seriously and is often too strict and harsh with the children.

Staff #2 and Staff #3

Both are concerned about the discipline used by the head supervisor. Although no 'formal' rules are being broken, they are noticing the children seem to be more fearful and upset with the Head Supervisor. They feel that perhaps personal problems have caused him/her to be so harsh and feel he/she should be approached on this issue.

Write like a short paragrah

Act out this scenario showing first, how Serena and #3 bring up their concerns with each other, and second, how they will approach the Head Supervisor with those concerns. Consider all possible solutions and use effective and appropriate communication skills to demonstrate the interactions between all staff.

Scene:

Teresa (Head Supervisor) drags a child's arm when he/she runs away from her. Then Teresa yells "Bad boy/girl! I told you not to run away!"

Then the child starts to cry. Teresa shouts "stop crying!"

Scene: Staff Lounge, during a break. Staff #2 and Staff #3 are having a conversation.

Staff #2: (looking concerned) Hey, have you noticed how strict Teresa has been lately? It feels like the atmosphere has changed in the center

Staff #3: (nodding) Yeah, I've noticed that too. The kids seem more on edge, and last time Charmaine didn't want to go to Teresa because she was scared!

Staff #2: It's not like she's breaking any rules, but as ECEs, it is our duty to respect children's feelings and ensure their emotional well-being. We need to tell her tomorrow.

Staff #3: I agree. But how do you want to bring this up?

Staff #2: tomorrow morning I will just tell her that she's been rough the kids, and she can't do that. Besides, she's our supervisor; she's supposed to know better!

Staff #3: Are you going to tell her that directly? I don't think she will take it well. It sounds like we're blaming her without hearing her side of the story

Staff #2: do you think there's a nicer way to say this?

Staff #3: Yes. Let's consider Teresa's perspectives here. I don't think Teresa will act like this all of a sudden. Over all those years I have worked with her, she wasn't like this. Something must have triggered her

Staff #2: maybe you're right. Instead of jumping to conclusions, we should talk to each other about our concerns before approaching Teresa.

Staff #3: Agreed. Let's have a chat between us first, I'm sure Teresa won't start acting strict for no reason.

Scene transition to a later time: Serena and Evelyn discussing their concerns.

Staff #3: So, I've been thinking about it. I remember Teresa told me last week that she's getting a divorce with her husband and she's fighting for custody of her daughter. Do you think this may have affected how she acts?

Staff #2: Oh! I didn't know that! No wonder she looks stressed and tense this week!

Staff #3: I told her to tell you last week, but she must have been busy so she forgot. But if you think about it, maybe this is why she's been acting strict lately.

Staff #2: That makes sense. She must feel overwelmed now, and I hope she's doing ok...

Staff #3: let's try to support her as much as we can, but we still need to have a meeting with her about her discipline approach

Staff #2: Right. Let's schedule a meeting with her to discuss our concerns. We need to be supportive of what she's going through and express our observations and concerns for the well-being of the children. Let's do this tactfully.

Scene transition to the meeting with the Head Supervisor.

Staff #2: (respectfully) Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, Teresa

Teresa: Not good. I've been dealing with all that divorce stuff, and I feel so tired and overwhelmed. I hope things go back to normal soon. Is there something you want to talk about?

Staff #2: Right, we wanted to talk to you about something on our minds.

Teresa: Sure, what's on your mind?

Staff #2: We've noticed a change in the atmosphere lately. The other day a friend was telling me she didn't feel comfortable going to you because she felt scared. We also observed that you've been holding children's arms more often and speaking to them in a harsher tone

Teresa: what are you suggesting? I'm just doing my job. I have to maintain discipline

S2: We understand that, but we also want to make sure that the children feel safe and happy here. Some of them seem really upset recently.

Teresa seems upset. Crosses her arm.

Staff #3: What Serene means is that we noticed you have been under pressure lately, and some of that stress may be showing in how you work with children. But having worked with you for so long, we all have seen how gentle and patien you are with children, and it is not like you to hold children's arms and use harsh discipline. So we wonder if something happened that made you act this way. And if so, we want to be here to support you and offload some of that stress, because that's what we do as a team.

Teresa: (sigh) Maybe you're right. I haven't been myself lately. I've been feeling a lot more pressure from all those fights with my partner, and sometimes I feel like I see more negative things and I have that urge to make things right. Maybe that's why I've been harsh lately. I'm sorry.

Staff #3: that's ok. We understand that you feel overwhelmed, and we are here to help you. We understand that this may not be the perfect timing because you're going through a lot, but we need to bring this up because it affects the children. And at the end of the day, we're all here for the children, and we're here to support each other.

Teresa: (sigh) you're right, I appreciate you telling me this. I've been really stressed out and sometimes it's hard to balance everything. Maybe I need you guys to help me out here.

Staff #2: Absolutely! We all go through tough times and we are here to support each other. If you want us to help you do circle time next week or do some prep for you, we're happy to do that. Take some time for yourself

Teresa: thank you, I really appreciate that! It'll be great if you guys can help me share some loads for the next two weeks. I'll also pay more attention on how I speak and react to the children, I didn't even realize I was doing that to them. Thank you guys for bringing it up.