2 28 0 0 Part Two Creating a Safe and Healthful Environment
As a result of being physically
abused, some children may show
an unusual fear of adults. Kelly is
one example. She was abused by
her father for two years. A teacher
at Kelly’s child care contacted
authorities with her suspicions.
Kelly had an unusual fear of adults,
especially her father. Whenever he
came to pick her up, she backed away
and avoided eye contact with him.
Child abuse was suspected for
other reasons as well. Kelly often
arrived at the center with visible
bruises. She also wore long-sleeve
turtleneck tops in warm weather.
One hot summer day, her teacher
was concerned that Kelly might be
too warm. When she was changing
Kelly’s top, the teacher found
many bruises. Kelly could not
explain the injuries.
Neglect
When children are not given
the basic needs of life, they suffer
from neglect. g Neglect takes
many forms. A neglected child
may be deprived of proper food,
medical and dental care, shelter,
and/or clothing. Children who
have been unsupervised may also
be neglected. Neglect may or may
not be intentional on the part of the
abuser. However, the potential for
harm is possible.
Children who wear clothing that
is too small or dirty may be neglected.
Neglected children may also wear
clothes that are inappropriate for
the weather. They may lack warm
coats, gloves, or hats for the winter.
Children who are poorly groomed
may also be neglected.
Other signs of neglect may
appear in a child’s health. Neglect
may result in children who are
too thin or malnourished. These
children may ask to take food home.
Constant fatigue, illness, or poor
dental care may be other signs of
neglect. These children may have a
bad odor. This may be due to a lack
of bathing. Wearing dirty clothes
could also contribute to bad odor.
Alert teachers should observe
for signs of neglect. They must be
sensitive to different child-rearing
practices as well as cultural
expectations and priorities. Signs
of possible neglect include the
following:
★ the child often arrives early or is
picked up late
★ the child wears inappropriate or
unclean clothing
★ the child seems always hungry
★ medical needs are unmet
★ poor hygiene often results in
odor
★ the child appears fatigued or
falls asleep
Derek is a neglected child. He
often arrives early or is picked up
late. His teacher observed that he
appeared small for his age. After
observing him for several more
months, she noted developmental
lags. He appeared to be lagging
behind many of his same-age
peers. Often he would ask when
snack or lunch would be served.
During cooking activities, he would
try to eat or take food. He also
complained of being hungry. Derek
lacked proper nutrition. As a result,
he was constantly fatigued and
sometimes fell asleep.
Observing these signs, Derek’s
teachers suspected neglect. They
compared information and shared
their concerns. As child care