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Directions: Read the case study about Henry, then complete the Sexual Behavior Reflection Tool. Review your responses with a trainer, coach, or administrator. Refer to the suggested answers for additional guidance. We will revisit this case study in Lesson Five so you have the opportunity to brainstorm how to support Henry and any other children involved.

Preschool Case Study: Henry

Henry is a 5-year-old child in a preschool classroom. Alicia, a staff member, describes Henry as an outgoing and social child. He has a variety of interests and certainly enjoys the opportunity to socialize with peers in the program. Henry lives with his father, Michael, mother, Brandy, and 14-year-old brother, Gavin. Brandy was deployed six months ago, and Michael has shared that this has been difficult for the family.

Technology seems to play a large presence in Henry’s household, and he frequently speaks to staff and peers about shows and video games that contain violence and sex. Henry explores these themes during play and will pretend to “shoot” people, mimic sex-like interactions with dolls, and sometimes use sexually explicit language. When staff talk with Henry about his actions and language, he says that Gavin talks this way and that, “Daddy lets us watch whatever we want.” Staff members praise Henry when he plays and speaks in more appropriate ways and redirect any undesirable behavior. Henry will stop the behavior and language in the moment, but it’s an ongoing issue.

Alicia observed Henry and Bao, another preschooler, playing together in the reading area during free choice. Alicia saw Henry pull his pants down, grab Bao’s hand, and forcefully placed Bao’s hand on his genitals. Alicia immediately asked Henry to “stop” and began to discuss safe versus unsafe touching with both children. She was visibly flustered when doing this, and both children became upset and began to cry. After everyone was able to calm down, Alicia spoke individually with each child about the situation. Henry described that he was playing with his friend. When Alicia asked Henry where he learned to play this way, Henry responded, “Gavin asks me to rub his wee wee.”

 

Sexual Behavior Reflection Tool

 

1. Is the behavior random or infrequent?

There is a pattern of concerning sexual behavior and knowledge, with one isolated incident that involved another child.

 

 

2. Is the behavior typical for the child’s age and developmental ability?

It appears Henry has advanced sexual knowledge for his age. Forcefully having another child engage in a specific sexual act is not typical for preschool children.

 

 

3. Is the behavior driven by curiosity, exploration, and playfulness?

It seems that Henry has been exposed to this type of sexual interaction. Given his development and response, Henry doesn’t know that it is anything other than play.

 

 

4. If other children are involved, is it mutual and good-humored?

No. Alicia observed Henry to forcefully place Bao’s hand on him. Both children were upset after Alicia intervened.

 

 

5. If other children are involved, do they know each other well and are they of a similar age and development?

Yes, Henry and Bao are both preschool children in the same classroom.

 

 

6. Is the behavior easily redirected?

Though Alicia has only observed Henry to engage in a sexual act once, there is pattern of ongoing sexual behavior that is difficult to redirect.

 

 

Is this normative sexual behavior?

While the ongoing behavior (explicit language, imitating sex-like acts) may have been cautionary, the addition of the incident where Henry forcefully had another child engage in a sex act is a sexual behavior challenge.