Should Kristen honor the wishes of the family or allow Jane to continue to drink water instead of milk?

A New Ethical Issue—”Make sure my child drinks her milk”

Jane, a petite just-turned-3-year-old, is new in Kristen’s class. Jane’s father brings her to school each day

at breakfast time.

As required by licensing and the USDA food program, the school serves milk at breakfast and lunch. Like

a number of children in the class, Jane refuses milk and drinks water instead. Kristen allows children to

make this choice. One day Jane’s father tells Kristen that he and his wife do not want her to allow Jane

to drink water until she has drunk at least a full cup of milk. Kristen assures them that she will encourage

Jane to drink her milk.

At the next meal, Kristen tells Jane that her family wants her to drink milk so she’ll be healthy and grow

strong. Jane sobs uncontrollably. Kristen comforts her and allows her to drink water. She tells Jane she

will talk to Jane’s father about letting her drink water. Jane’s eyes grow wide, and she sobs even harder,

saying, “Don’t tell Daddy! Don’t tell Daddy!”

Should Kristen honor the wishes of the family or allow Jane to continue to drink water instead of milk?

How could she use the NAEYC Code to guide her thinking and decision making in this situation?