Case Study: Kierston

You were introduced to Kierston in the beginning of this chapter, but this section provides additional information to assist with understanding her behavior. She is the youngest of eight children, and the sibling she is closest to is 17 years her senior. Both of her parents are first-generation immigrants. Her mother is over 45, and during the pregnancy, her husband, who was 57, suddenly died of a heart attack. Kierston was delivered by cesarean. Since her birth, her mother has provided minimal care for the newborn due to deepening depression. The majority of the care she receives is from siblings, cousins, and other extended family members. The grief of the family is obvious to anyone observing them. The well-meaning but numerous caregivers provide very inconsistent care for Kierston. The variety of different faces and personalities who care for her may help explain her lack of desire to interact with others. The child care home she attends is owned and operated by a married couple, Hurika and Bill. They have compensated for the lack of consistency in Kierston’s home environment by assigning a primary caregiver to her. Bill will establish a consistent daily routine around her needs; he plans to handle and speak to her gently to enhance her sense of trust and security. Kierston’s mother is clearly concerned that her daughter is not developing like her other children but seems unable to act because of her depression. Luckily, Hurika and Bill participate in an Early Head Start partnership and were able to encourage Kierston’s mother to request an evaluation of Kierston. The developmental specialist assigned to the family meets with the mother and older siblings next week. 1. What effect do you think a depressed family member has on the social and emotional development of a 2-month-old? Support your thoughts with evidence. 2. Referring to the list of recommended elements for an IFSP, what would you expect the family plan to cover in terms of services, location, and strategies? Why? 3. How should Bill continue to develop a relationship with Kierston’s mother? What is the benefit for Kierston of them having a strong partnership?

Swim, Terri Jo. Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: Caregiving and Responsive Curriculum Development (p. 259). Cengage Learning. Kindle Edition.

Swim, Terri Jo. Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: Caregiving and Responsive Curriculum Development (p. 258). Cengage Learning. Kindle Edition.

Swim, Terri Jo. Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: Caregiving and Responsive Curriculum Development (p. 238). Cengage Learning. Kindle Edition. Case Studies present real-life examples of the concepts and principles discussed. Please refer to the case study Kierston
presented on page 258-259
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Be sure to answer each question in detail demonstrating critical thinking skills.

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