Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 225 25. Identify. Using the poisonous substances chart in this chapter, conduct a safety check at home. List the poisonous substances you found. 26. Analyze. Design an evacuation chart for the classroom. 27. Evaluate. At the website for the National Program for Playground Safety, print checklists for Play- ground Inspection and Playground Safety. Visit a local child care center and complete the check- lists. 28. Identify. Explain sun safety precautions for an early childhood center. 29. Speaking. Interview the local fire chief concerning the proper use of fire extinguishers. 30. Research. Research pica, an eating disorder as- sociated with eating nonfood items, on the Inter- net. How might preschool children be affected by pica? What is the possibility that children in your program will exhibit pica? 31. Writing. Write a brief essay explaining how you will keep children safe under your supervision and care. Explain your understanding of the various factors that are part of this responsibility. These may include: building, room, and equipment safety proper supervision and management of children reporting suspected abuse situations and fire safety. 32. Research. Research information on the effects of emotional abuse on children. Find out about the following types of abuse: belittling, corrupting, iso- lating, rejecting, and terrorizing. Why is the loss of self-esteem from emotional abuse so devastating to young children? 33. Research. Many children who are sexually abused do not know how to describe their abuse due to lack of understanding or vocabulary. In small groups, research cases of child sexual abuse and take notes about key words children used to describe their experiences. Also research recommendations for how to handle suspected cases of child sexual abuse. Afterward, write a group report summarizing your findings and ana- lyzing how they apply to child care. Core Skills 34. Technology. As mandated reporters, teach- ers should understand the steps for reporting a suspected case of child abuse. Search online or contact an anti-abuse organization to determine the appropriate steps for reporting child abuse in your state. Take notes about what you learn and then write a blog post or create a website outlining the information. View other classmates’ posts or websites and offer feedback. 35. Listening. Interview a local early learning center director about the types of liability his or her center must consider. What are the most common liability issues the center faces? How does the center educate its teachers in handling this liability? What would happen if an accident occurred and the center was held liable for the result? After the in- terview, summarize your findings in a short report. 36. CTE Career Readiness Practice. Suppose you work in a child care center. One day, you notice one of your coworkers becoming frustrated with a fussy infant. Fearing that your coworker may shake the infant, you offer to hold the infant for a while. You finish the day without saying anything about the incident to anyone, but start to wonder if you should mention it to your supervisor. You ask yourself, “Did I act responsibly by not talking to my boss about my coworker’s behavior? Could I be legally liable if abuse occurred and I didn’t report it?” In small groups, discuss this scenario. What is the responsible thing to do in this situation? Role- play a conversation in which you respond to the dilemma in an appropriate way. Portfolio Project 37. Many states require a specific number of in- service continuing education credits be earned each year by child care professionals. A fire extinguisher demonstration would qualify for an in-service training activity. Ask a representative of an extinguisher company or your school’s head custodian to give a demonstration. Following the demonstration, ask your teacher to sign a certificate documenting your attendance. File the certificate in your portfolio as verification of attending a professional educational activity.