“The Red Door”
By Barbara Anita Baldwin, Senior Coordinator of Site Management, Early Learning Division, ABCD Inc., Bridgeport, CT
A little boy enrolled into our Head Start program at the age of three. We recognized that he was extremely bright, and that we had to ensure that he was challenged daily so that he would not get bored. On days that he did get bored, he was a different child – a child who was extremely angry and would destroy the classroom. We continued to ask his mother if there was something going on, and what could we do to support the child in the classroom. His mother stated that she acted the same as her son when she was a little girl. The teachers documented the boy’s behavior daily. Yet nothing changed.Things spiraled downhill, until one day the teacher approached me, stating that the classroom needed my intervention. I sat with the child and explained to him that it was okay to be angry, but that he could not continue to destroy things in the class. Some days were good, but there were times when the child was extremely off-kilter. Eventually, the teachers started bringing the child to my office so he could get some quiet time.
One day, he looked out the window watching the construction outside. I asked him what he was thinking. He stated that he was tired of the doors always changing color. I asked him, “What color were the doors?” He told me red, brown, and blue. He stated he just wanted to get back to his door. The red door.
It was at that point that I realized that he was homeless, and going from house to house. I realized that the red door signified where he had been most happy. This must have been where he felt most stable and at home. I told him that I would talk to his mom to see how we could get the red door unlocked. He seemed hopeful and even smiled.
When his mother came that evening to pick him up, I stopped her and asked if we could talk for a bit. She came to my office and I told her what transpired that day. She stated that there were no issues, that nothing was going on. I asked her to let me help, because something was affecting her son. Mom eventually told me that they were going from house to house because she did not have an apartment, and that she had some things going on herself. Mom also had mental health issues and shared her diagnosis. She informed me that she was not on any of her medications because the medications did not allow for her to care for her son in a responsible manner. Based on the information she gave me, I set up referrals for her and her child. My hope was that she would use the supports that were put into place for her and get the continued treatment that would assist her.
Unfortunately, before we could meet all of this family’s needs, the child transitioned out of our program into kindergarten, and mom did not maintain ties with our agency.
I reflect on this child often, and I wonder, did he ever find the Red Door?
Editor’s Note:
This sensitive guest perspective provides several lessons:
- Young children do speak for themselves, but they do not always do so directly, or in ways that are obvious. Children’s behavior may be challenging because adults do not understand what children are trying to say. Adults must watch and really listen to young children, and ask them about their thoughts and feelings. When words don’t work, play can be a vehicle for expression, too. Listening and watching closely may allow adults to discover that a child is experiencing homelessness or other traumatic events.
- Parents may be reluctant to disclose personal problems, but when they are engaged respectfully, they can feel safe to share their concerns and confident that they will receive responsive support.
- Staff who work with children who are homeless or in other traumatic situations continue to carry those children’s experiences with them. Their concern for these children often continues long after the relationships end, and can be a source of anxiety and pain. Staff should be encouraged to address their own feelings surrounding these issues and develop methods for coping with their own vicarious trauma.
- Community partnerships can help connect early childhood settings with public schools. Stronger connections may have provided a reassurance that the child described in this guest perspective would continue to receive the support he needed to be safe and successful.
Helpful resources to build partnerships include:
Pathways to Partnership: Early Childhood Education
Quality early childhood programs can change the trajectory of a child’s health and well-being, and help families experiencing homelessness regain stability. Local educational agency (LEA) McKinney-Vento liaisons, as well as homeless service providers funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are required by law to connect families experiencing homelessness to early childhood programs. This guide is designed to help LEA liaisons and homeless service providers develop a basic understanding of, and build partnerships with, five key early childhood programs.
Early Care and Education Advocacy: A Tip Sheet for Housing and Homeless Assistance Providers
This short document provides basic information to help housing and homeless assistance providers advocate for their families and youth for appropriate educational services, from birth through higher education. The rights and protections outlined here apply to all children and youth experiencing homelessness, as defined by the education subtitle of the McKinney-Vento Act.
Supporting Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness in Early Childhood Programs
This interactive learning series by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is intended for professionals in Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care, including early childhood and school-age child care providers,CCDFLead Agency or designated entity staff, and other key stakeholders. Learn how to identify families experiencing homelessness, conduct community outreach, and much more in seven online modules.
When Students Are Traumatized, Teachers Are Too
This article from The George Lucas Educational Foundation’s edutopia provides useful background information about “vicarious trauma,” which is a “cost of caring” often experienced by teachers and others who work with children experiencing trauma. Though not focused solely on those working with young children, the article’s tips for coping and self-care can be used by anyone working with children experiencing any kind of trauma.