Conflict Resolution
My colleague and I
were had a conflict with our contract childcare center director about changing
the diapering process in that childcare center. We have always used the ITERS
Diapering Process, but the director wanted to change the process to one she came
up on her own. The discussion went from bad to worse within 10 minutes. There
were frustrated looks on everyone faces and feelings were becoming hurt. It
seems like either side forgot about the issue at hand which lead into other
concerns. After reflecting on this situation based on what I’ve learned, this
meeting could have gone a different way. For instance, as a partnership in the
childcare center, everyone should have looked at the situation as, what can we
do to come to a solution? First I should approach the situation as trying to
find a solution from a “win win “strategy. This is where both sides could have
a compromise on the diapering process. We could have examined each process to
see where could trade off. Also, my colleagues and I could have been empathic
to the director’s needs. It would have been an opportunity to be an active
listener; we could have gathered the information, and acknowledging by talking
through the information. By using this approach, the center director would have
been willing to resolve the problem.
After talking with my
colleague, we both agreed the conversation could have gone better. I shared
with her some information I’ve learned in class, and she is open to using some
of these conflict resolution methods. We are going to have another meeting with
the center director on next week, and we will be using these new methods
learned this week.
Conflict Resolution Network. (n.d.). CR kit.
Retrieved from http://www.crnhq.org/pages.php?pID=12#skill_3
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real
communication. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.
I hope that you are able to come up with a win-win situation. Although I personally find such happy outcomes rare, this particular situation is manageable if all parties are able to focus on objective issues - and granted, there are many objective considerations.
ReplyDeleteConsiderations go beyond that of the administrators involved and includes not only teachers, but funders, and children as well.
1. Is it a condition of the contract that the ITERS be used? Or is it simply "the way we've always done it"? If it is a condition of funding - room for compromise is limited. If it is simply the way it has always been done, then a door is open.
2. Has anyone asked the teachers how they feel about the ITERS diapering process? There may be room to compromise and yet maintain appropriate hygiene practices*. Some have noted that while the ITERS diapering procedure is truly a quality practice for diapering, it may actually compromises supervision of the whole group in real world situations. Certainly, if the sole job of the teacher was to change diapers, the ITERS recommendations are great. But in real terms, it moves a substantial amount of teacher focus away from the larger group.
*Note that the ITERS suggests that the diapering table be sanitized after each diapering change using a two step process that includes both cleaning with soap and water and following that with a bleach and water solution which is allowed to air dry for two minutes before wiping dry.
3. From the perspective of the child - how important is optimal diapering relative to teacher engagement in the other areas of the learning environment?
4. How does the room environment help or hinder adhering to the ITERS procedures? Which way does the diaper changing table face? How many children share a diapering table? How easy is it to apply soap and water and then bleach and water, wash hands AND supervise children?
5. Are alternatives being considered? Safe Environments for Children's Ministry (Holland, June, Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware, n.d.) addresses diapering http://bcmd.org/yourbcmd/files/content/554432/safety-security-hygiene.pdf. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (n.d.) suggest "disinfectant OR bleach solution" (emphasis mine).
References:
Harms, Thelma; Cryer, Debbie; Clifton, Richard. 2006 edition. Infant toddler environmental rating scale. Teachers College. New York and London.
Holland, June. n.d. Safe environments for children's ministry. Baptist convention of Maryland and Delaware. Retrieved from http://bcmd.org/yourbcmd/files/content/554432/safety-security-hygiene.pdf
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. n.d. Health and environmental issues for children under six. Retrieved from www.scdhec.gov/health/mch/childcare/hygiene.htm
Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI love the pic on your blog! It seems too many times we want to blame others before we take a look at our own faults. A lot of times when conflict turns ugly, it is latent feelings that others start bringing up that starts arguments, not actually the issue at hand. Like my sister who is a year older than I am, anytime we have a disagreement she refers back to the fact that I’m irresponsible and don’t know what it takes to be an “adult”. This is a sign that she obviously has some sort of pent up aggression from our childhood. It bothers me that she thinks that, but what can ya do?
Arica