When responding to child abuse/neglect, it is important to always report even if you have doubts. We are mandated reporters and must have the child’s best interest at heart. There are many different warning signs, both physical and behavioral warning signs can be seen in a child who is being abused or neglected. Some of the physical signs for physical abuse include, burns, unexplained injuries, multiple bruises, etc. In an online setting, teachers can look for these signs and discuss with the student what happened. If a child is being sexually abused, they may act out be setting fires, being cruel to animals or seem anxious. Though we as teachers cannot see the first two signs, we can certainly monitor if a student seems anxious. If a student is being mentally abused, signs could manifest as a speech disorder (Keep Kids Safe). If a student has any physical signs, we must report to Child Protective Services, it is not our job to investigate.
With cyberbullying, it is important to first know how to recognize if a student is being bullied online. On StopBullying.gov‘s website, the author goes into tips that teachers can use to understand if a child is being bullied online. It is important to watch students behavior, especially first thing in the morning when they come into class. We as teachers need to pick up on their mood, body language, etc. Some warning signs include: avoiding social situations and becoming withdrawn or depressed (stopbullying.gov). I chose these two signs because when teaching online, you may not see the student on their device, but you can notice if a student who participates quite often stops or if they seem to be withdrawn. If a teacher notices these behaviors, it would be important that they set up a time to chat with the student individually to see what might be happening. It would also be important to reach out to the child’s family to see what is going on at home and if they have noticed any changes. It is essential that we teach students how to be good digital citizens, this is a skill that must be taught early on and continually revisited (Adams, 2010, p. 47). If a student is being bullied online, help the child self-reflect and understand what they can do (Tips for Teachers). In the end, teachers need to advocate for their students and ensure that students know what resources are available for them at school and at home.
Mental health is becoming more widely talked about, sadly even at an elementary level. Many students have a lot going on at home that teachers cannot always understand. As teachers, we need to be seen as our students biggest champion. If we know that a student is struggling internally, it would be important to “find the good and praise it”, often times people focus on the negative and that cannot be the case for our students (Mental Health America, 2017). In Barr’s article, she talks about the different warning signs (2014). In an online environment, it is important to really focus on each child and understand what is really happening. Some students have a hard time describing how they are feeling when they are depressed, it is important to know this when talking with students about how they are doing (Staake, 2019). Again, find the good and tell the child about it. If a child is irritable or short-tempered, show grace with the child and talk with the child about what is going on (Barr, 2014). Make sure that resources are readily available if that child does not feel comfortable talking with you.
References:
Adams, C. (2010). Cyberbullying: How to Make It Stop. Instructor, 120(2), 44–49. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.messiah.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=508189601&site=ehost-live&scope=site\
Barr, B. bonnybarr@creighton. ed. (2014). Identifying and Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Online Students in Higher Education. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 17(2), 35–40. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.messiah.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=97296263&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Staake, J. (2019, August 28). What Teachers Need to Know About Childhood Depression. Retrieved from https:// www.weareteachers.com/childhood-depression/ #.XWRb_1wBfn4.twitter
(n.d.). Signs of Child Abuse & Neglect. Retrieved from http://keepkidssafe.pa.gov/about/signs/index.htm
(2018). Tips for Teachers: Ways to Help Students Who Struggle with Emotions or Behavior. Retrieved from http:// www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/tips-teachers-ways-help- students-who-struggle-emotions-or-behavior
(n.d.). Tips for Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/tips-for-teachers/index.html
Hannah Srour's Blog 