Respond to the following scenario using the knowledge you have gained from reading about Functional Area 3: Learning Environment.
One of the parents disagrees with your use of the woodworking center, especially allowing children to use adult hammers, because she feels it is unsafe. You feel that this center contributes greatly to children's eye-hand coordination, small-muscle development, and self-image. The parent threatens to report your program to the community children protection agency if you do not remove the adult hammers. What should you do?
I would speak with my director to find out how do they want this situation handled I could also offer another project for the child where he wouldn’t be using the adult hammer
I would replace the wood working materials with age appropriate tools. Heavy duty tools can be a hazard for even some adults if not used properly. Children can still practice hand-eye coordination, small- muscle development, and self image while using plastic tools. The learning environment must always be age appropriate.
I would ensure that the adult hammers are replaced immediately with age appropriate hammers. The hammer is a effective tool that helps babies/ toddlers developed their physical skills as well as it is excellent for developing hand/eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Parents concerns should be heard and they should at all times feel that their child is safe when in our care. Our learning environment should always have materials/toys that are safe .
In my view even though the adult hammer, can be used for the woodworking task there is also age appropriate toy hammers which can be used to carry out this task, it’s commendable, that the hammer assist with the co ordination of the eyes and hands also the appropriate materials need to be used for injuries and accidents to the child. Out of concern the parent looking at the safety of the children in our center.