Question

Nina is the 5-year-old adopted daughter of Sarah and Tim Johnson. Nina is the Johnsons’ only child. They adopted Nina before her first birthday. The Johnsons have brought Nina to the clinic today to discuss some concerns they have about her development. Nina is attending a public kindergarten. Since beginning school, the Johnsons have noticed that they are catching Nina lying more. They are concerned that this may be a result of attending school. In addition, they are concerned about her verbal development and note that her teacher reported that Nina seems to be stuttering or repeating the term “um” when speaking. She also has some difficulty with “sh” and “th” sounds. When the Johnsons try to discuss these issues with Nina she becomes “very emotional” and retreats to her room. (Learning Objectives 2 and 6)

A. What can the nurse teach the Johnsons about lying in preschool children?

B. What can the nurse teach the Johnsons regarding stuttering and speech development with Nina?

Answer 1

A.Children at the age of 4 to 6 develop to understand what is truth and not from their parents simply by knowing that they and others are not mind readers so they can convey their wish.The most common examples like a child complaining of abdominal pain in order to avoid going to school.

The nurse has to teach the following

• They lie in order to grab attention, to stay out of punishment, to make parents to listen them ,to fo their favour etc.,
• Do not force or put the child in a situation to lie ,so be friendly with the child
• The parents has to teach the child about honesty at this age
• Identifying why the child is lying and not encouraging or supporting them if it is going to spoil their behavior
• The parents has to workout with the child without making them frustrated

B.Stuttering can occur when the child lacks adequate and appropriate verbal words.

The child has to be assessed once in every three months to know the status and plan the care

To encourage the child to speak without criticizing them for their wrong pronunciation, etc.,

Talk slowly to the child

Introduce more words to the child one at a time

Do not engage in a confusing conversation which the child cannot understand

Encourage and develop self confidence of the child