Interview with a School Nurse

 Entering the toddler’s classroom, I noticed that there was a nurse holding a 

child in the rocking chair. Before I asked teacher Norma if I could ask any

questions, I sat and observed the interaction between the nurse and child. I 

noticed that the nurse was saying, “You will be just fine, your mother will be 

coming to pick you up and she will be able to take you to see the doctor”. I 

noticed that the nurse asked teacher Norma if she had recorded the toddler’s 

temperature and teacher Norma  said,“Yes, I did record it at eleven in the 

morning, but the child was doing well. I did not know that she had a fever until the toddler began to cry.” The nurse said“How did you notice that the child had a fever?” Teacher Norma said, “Well, I 

touch her forehead and I realized that she was burning hot.” The nurse went on to ask Teacher Norma, “How high is this toddler temperature?” Teacher Norma said, “Well the last

time that I check it was, one hundred and two, but I do not know how high the
temperature is right now.” The nurse said, “Can you give me the thermometer so I
can re- check her temperature.” Teacher Norma went to the first aid kit and she
pulled out the thermometer. The nurse got up from the rocking chair and she went
straight to the changing table and she applied some examining gloves. While she
checked the child’s temperature, the nurse was talking to the toddler in the most
soothing words. I observed the child begin to stroke the nurse’s hand and the
toddler began to say, “Mamma, mamma.” The nurse in return said, “I will check your
temperature and I will make sure that I will call your mother in case you have a
fever, okay?” The toddler just smiled at the nurse. When the nurse finished taking
the toddler’s temperature, she said, Teacher Norma, can you give me the healthy
child checklist, so I can record this toddler temperature?” She then brought the
checklist down stairs to the administration office.
            The nurse returned and she said, “Well teacher Norma, Sandra from the
administration office called this toddler mom and she informed her that
she had taken her toddler to get some shots yesterday. The doctor had
cautioned mom that her child might develop some fever, but somehow mom
forgot to mention this information to you. Do not worry; mom is on her
way to give some Tylenol to reduce the fever. In the mean time, lets
take some clothes off from this toddler, and I will be here until mom
comes in.” 
            As soon as the mother came in, she along with the nurse gave the 

Tylenol to the toddler and the toddler went to sleep. Mom informed teacher Norma
how sorry she was for forgetting to tell her about the doctor visit. Mom
also informed Teacher Norma that if her child was not feeling any
better, to just let the administration office know and she would return
to pick the child up. Teacher Norma said, “Do not worry; I was just
concern when your toddler began to cry and I know that your child is not
the type of child who tends to cry at all. Your child is a very happy
child, go ahead and go back to work.”
As soon as the mother went back to work and everything was back to normal, I 

noticed that the nurse remained in the classroom for at least an hour. Before sheleft she informed teacher Norma that if she needed her, just to have her paged 

over the intercom. 
Before the nurse was out the door, I said, “Can I interview you, I would like to ask you some questions?” The nurse said, “Sure, but who are you?” I explained 

that I was a student from Kendall College and that I was doing my internship at 

El Hogar del Nino. She said, “What is your major?” I said, “I am planning to obtain my BA in early childhood with a concentration in special needs.” She said, 

“How much longer do you have to go, before you can get your BA?” I informed her that I just needed three more classes before I was able to graduate. The Nurse said, “Wow, I will be delighted to help you out.”
            
Q:What is your role in the toddlers program as a registered nurse?
A:I make sure that I assist the teachers, just in case a child gets sick and the
teachers are not able to diagnose a toddler who might be sick. I also conduct health
trainings for parents when we have our parents’ meetings. In this center, parents
meetings are conducted twice a month. I usually have at least one hundred parents
who show up for these important meetings. I also have monthly trainings depending on
the season, like it is almost is winter. At the end of this month, I will be talking
about Virus respiratory Syncitial. This virus affects infants as well as toddlers.
This virus affects the infants/toddlers respiratory system such as the lungs.
Parents have to be very cautious when their infants/toddlers have that raspy cough
with lots of phlegm secretions or mucus discharge. Some infants/toddlers are
affected when the parents smoke at home.
 
Q:What are some of the challenges that you encounter when you are interacting with
the toddlers? 
A:When I began to work a year and a half ago, the toddlers will cry, as soon as I
entered the classroom in my nurse uniform. I made it my priority to spend as much
time in the classroom so they can trust me. Now the toddlers had grown to trust me
and I really do enjoy every moment. The other challenge that I encounter is; we have
to understand that these toddlers are not able to tell me what is bothering them,
when they are sick. That is why I have teacher Norma to use her words and her sign
language abilities.  
            
Q:Do you do any screenings?
A: No, the teachers are responsible for conduction any developmental screenings. 
Hearing and vision testing is done by the doctors; however, I do screening for
depression for parents who may be going through tough times.
 
Q:What are your credentials? 
A: I have my BA in nursing that I obtained at North Park University. I worked at an
OB clinic for at least two years and I did my clinical hours at Children Memorial
Hospital. I am currently working here at El Hogar full time for the past year and a
half.
 

as i interviewed our family support specialist, she informed me that one of her goals is to provide classes to the non English peaking parents at El Hogar Del Nino, during the evening.there  are many parents who will like to learn a second language, but they can not afford to pay or they get out of work very late. The family support specialist had founda bilingual teacher during the evening hours. She is happy to informed  me that there are currently at least twenty parents who are attending evening classes to learn a second language. The agency is currently paying the bilingual teacher. The family support specialist also provides support and assist those parents who might qualify to receive food stamps and the medical card, she also provide a weekly bus fare to get the parents to work or do what ever they need to do with out worrying about bus fare. The family support specialist, also provides community resources such as; job search assistance, financial counseling, citizenship classes for those parents who might qualify. She also provide emergency shelter, when a parent has lost his/her apartment or when there is a domestic violence in the house. The family support specialist, also provide family group counseling at El Hogar Del Nino. Her main goal is, "To improve the lives of the children who are currently enroll in our center."

Interview with a Speech Pathologist

          Application 3

          As I walked in the toddlers classroom the other morning,

] I noticed that the pathologist was there. I asked teacher Norma, What does the speech pathologist do to assist the very young toddlers who are not able to communicate their needs and wants? Teacher Norma informed me that the speech pathologist has taught her and the other teachers to use some sign language. I asked her, “Does this technique, really help?” Teacher Norma, said, Yes, sign language has helped me understand the toddlers’ needs and has helped the toddlers with communicating their needs and wants. Some of these toddlers are very young and they do not know how to tell their needs and wants. With sign language, many toddlers are able to tell us is they need, “More milk, water, and are even able to tell us when they are feeling sad.”

          I presented myself to the speech pathologist, and I informed her that I was a Kendall student. I asked her if I could observe her, while she was interacting with the toddlers. The pathologist said, “Sure, I don’t have a problem with it at all. As teacher Norma said, “It is time to wash your hands, she got to the toddlers level and she used sign language to get the toddlers attention. The pathologist used sign language to guide the toddlers into washing their hands. Teacher Norma was saying, “Okay, now go to sit down on your chair”, she continued to use sign language to instruct the children. The pathologist was waiting for the toddlers to assist them in sitting down, while she was using sign language and her words. The toddlers began to eat. I noticed that one child began to hit his cup. Teacher Norma was serving breakfast while the pathologist was assisting the toddlers on the table. The pathologist said while gently putting her hand on top of the child’s hand and she said, “Maria, do you want more milk?” Maria looked at the speech pathologist and she looked at her hands. Maria then used her hands to sign for, “more milk, please.” When Maria was done eating she used sign language to tell the speech pathologist that she was done and that she did not want any more food.

          As the toddlers were sitting down for group time, teacher Norma took out some pictures of different songs, and she also had pictures of the toddlers. The teacher as well as the speech pathologist sings songs as; Barney, twinkle, twinkle little star, and Elmo. While the group was singing, the speech pathologists, as well as the teachers, were using sign language. I noticed that the toddlers were also using sign language while they were singing songs.

          At the end of my observation, I asked the speech pathologist, if I could ask her some questions regarding her interaction, she said she would be more than happy to.

          Q: What is your role in the toddler’s classroom, when you are interacting with the toddlers as well as with the teachers?

A: I work directly with a child who might not have the speech or the language to communicate with other peers. Some of the toddlers are able to articulate the information that is given to them, but they are not able to produce speech. That is why I teach them sign language. For the teachers, I teach them sign language.  I realized that some teachers are not able to understand the needs and wants of many of these toddlers. That is why I have taught them to use sign language. I also informed the teachers that they should still use their voice, while they talk with the children.

Q: How do you know when a child has a speech delay?

A: I used the Standardize testing device, parent report, ASQ, anecdotal information from the teachers.

Q:What types of screenings do you go by?

A:Rossettti, infant toddlers language scale (RITLS) Preschool language scale (English/Spanish) (PLS: 4)

Q:What is speech delay and why are so many young toddlers having such of a hard time with speech?

A: Speech delay is when a child has difficulty understanding and speaking the language. It might also be that the child has weak muscle around the mouth area or they might have trouble hearing sounds due to many ear infections. It could also be, “The home language.” At home, the mother might use, “Baby talk.” This could be language such as, “look at my little baby, do you want a ookie (Cookie), babba (Bottle), uppie (Up).” This is the home language that a child hears at home.”

Q:What is, “Developmental articulation delay and does articulation has anything to do with language?

A: A child is slower to produce the specific sounds in the Childs language, both are connected. Speech has to do with how we use the sound to create words.

Q: When a child is not making any process in his/her speech, what do you do?

A:I consult with other medical field consultants. I have other associates in the pathologist field. I consult with other therapists such as; occupational therapist, developmental consultants.

Q:What type of speech pathologist license do you currently have?

A: M.A. Speech language pathology, language exam, a year of supervised practice, then you get your, “Certification of clinical competence (CCC), and the, “Speech language pathology (SLP).

 *Our speech pathologist also has five years of experience as a school teacher and five years as a preschool teacher.  

 

         

           

Interviews

As I read the interviews of the early childhood professionals, I realized that both educators want services on how to detect learning delays in the zero to three infants and toddlers age range. Both of the interviews have influences my decision to continue my research on finding information regarding current issues on learning disabilities/special needs services and how to care for and nurture children with special needs in their prospective rooms, while they learn from other children who do not have delays or disabilities.

A Little About Me

My name is Alejandra Espinal. I am an early childhood education teacher that works with children ages 15 months to 2 years old. As a teacher I am an advocate for these children as well as their parents. I ensure that they are have their needs met to the best of my ability. As a teacher in a bilingual institution, I encounter many children with language barriers due to the struggle of learning two languages. Because of this, we also offer other resources to guide their development.