Critical Reflection Essay

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The dilemma of practice that is being addressed and critically reflected upon in this essay is Rosie’s Snacks (Weaven, 2012). It is a thought provoking read for a pre- service teacher and one that I was able to relate to on a number of levels. In the case study, Rosie is identified as a grossly overweight Down syndrome student, who has suffered health complaints in the past. Rosie and her peers relish the social element of their morning snack, enjoying an array of unhealthy treats on a daily basis while discussing various elements regarding their food and its packaging. One morning without Rosie’s knowledge, the student teacher is asked to remove Rosie’s unhealthy food from her bag from the leading teacher with reason associated to concern for Rosie’s weight and how this affects her health. This action caused Rosie to think that someone had stolen from her and sees her separated from her peers during snack time as she no longer participates in the discussions while eating her sandwich. Over the next few weeks Rosie is unable to participate in physical activity due to breathlessness and ends up hospitalised due to heart complications. I am a firm believer of healthy eating and it angers me to see so many students with lunch boxes that comprise solely of processed, sugary, fatty foods that have no nutritional content day after day. However, in this scenario there are a number of issues that I believe to be inappropriate. The unknowing removal of Rosie's food, whilst the teacher may have been thinking of her long term health, was unacceptable and I believe the teacher knew this given he/she asked the student teacher to do. The action caused Rosie to become frantic, question her peers and her teacher as she knew the food was there at the beginning of the day; and become excluded from the group at snack time. Many would question why her parents would

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