Case Studies

Jack and Jill--and Sam? Discussion Questions

1. At the end of the case, the authors write, "Monica knew her major goal had been attained." What was Monica's major goal in working with the Jack and Jill Child Care Center? What strategies did she use to attain her goal?
2. Review the first telephone conversation that Monica had with Barbara Wheeler, the director of the child care center. Find at least four quotations from Monica that exemplify her overall approach to providing consultation to the child care center. Briefly discuss how each quotation you selected was intended to attain her goal.
3. Should Monica have been more directive in her consultation? That is, should she have offered some suggestions of her own about methods for dealing with Sam or provided written information for the staff to read?
4. In general, what factors should be considered in determining whether a directive, nondirective, or combination approach is employed in providing consultation to program staff?
5. The staff did not want the mother involved in the staff meeting about Sam. Although Monica did not agree, she quietly accepted their decision. Should she have expressed her concerns to the staff and attempted to influence their attitude toward Sam's mother?
6. What responsibility, if any, does Monica have for informing the mother about plans that are made for dealing with Sam at the child care center, or the results of the implementation of those plans?
7. Thinking about your experiences, in what ways can you identify with this situation from the viewpoint of the child care staff? From Barbara's point of view? From Monica's?
8. In your community, what resources are available to assist the staff of regular child care centers in the inclusion of young children with special needs? What additional resources are needed for successful outcomes?
9. In many ways, the Jack and Jill Child Care Center represents a large percentage of child care centers in the United States. Should we promote the inclusion of children with disabilities in these less-than-ideal environments?