Parent, Family and Community Engagement

Going to the website I was immediately drown to the "Moms Speak Out" posts. One mom's quote "Head Start is an awesome program to be in". (Parent and Family Stores, 2015) In her interview she stated, " My advocate, Laney Carvolial, she's helped me through a lot with sufficient housing, getting me the correct resources I needed to get to get to where I need to be, to build -- build stability in my household, shelter, food, necessities. It's just been really touching to be in the program and get the resources when you need it." How awesome is that for a parent to have access to resources needed through an advocate. As advocates our job is to look after the well-being of the child and families. When families are stressed about food, homes, work etc., it can be hard to be there fully for a child. As an advocate we get impact families in such positive way. Major props to this advocate. She has changed this woman's life.

Parent involvement is essential in Head Start programs or any early learning program. It keeps a consistency between school and home that helps children develop in a positive way.






References

Head Star. Parent and Family Stories. 2015. Retrieved from https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/hs/about/stories/pfs/videos/Vidfgr5.htm/000408-Parent%20Interview%20Balauro.pdf

Quality Programs for All Children

Currently the conversation about providing quality preschool education is becoming more popular and public. Concerns are rising as we see that low incomes children may not be performing as well academically and that could stem from not having early learning education or even not have quality early learning education. With parents working much more, “daycares”  are changing gears towards early learning education and not just babysitting. Preschools are prepping children for grade school by incorporating more academics in the schools. “ According to some studies, children enrolled in these programs are more behaved and have higher IQ scores upon enrolling kindergarten than their peers without formal education. Likewise, it was shown that children enrolled in Head Start programs learned quicker than children not enrolled in these programs.” (Education Corner) While some parents definitely feel they could handle homeschooling, not all parents can or even have the time to do it. Especially considering a single-parent homes are becoming way more common. 

From my personal experience, I believe preschool is a great tool and is effective if executed properly. I love teaching the little ones. However, I have an on-going debate in my head about whether I would actually put my children in preschool or not when I do have them. I would definitely for social reasons. Children need to be around children their age and learn from them as well as how to learn social behaviors. 

Early learning is such rapidly growing field. It changes with each generation because each generation learning differently. I believe two things will happen over the next 5-10 years. I believe the technology in preschools will advance beyond my imagination. Children will have more access to smart boards, tablets but won’t be completely desensitized because they will still be learning and interacting with teacher and students. I also believe there will be a surge of families of who choose homeschooling as an option. I know I have talked to some women my age and they are homeschooling, being stay-at-home moms, etc. With these two possible changes it will be imperative to have a more qualified staff with an educational background in early learning and on-going training for staff. Thus, could possibly increase compensation for teachers across the board. 

Reference

Education Corner. What Is So Important About Early Childhood Education?. Retrieved from http://www.educationcorner.com/importance-of-early-childhood-education.html

What Resonates With You About Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy?

Why did you choose this specialization? Share what resonates with you about this specialization. Consider the relationship between your passion and aspirations related to public policy and advocacy and what you hope to accomplish with regard to promoting the well-being of children, families, and the early childhood field.

I changed my concentration to Public Policy and Advocacy just last year. Something came over and I decided I wanted to be more than teacher, more than a director and even more than just an owner of a preschool. I actually had a strong desire to advocate for preschool teachers. How often do we hear that preschool teachers are just babysitters? I get very upset when I hear that because people who have never worked in early learning have no clue what preschool teachers must do in order to help children develop motor skills, social skills and other developmental areas. Preschool teachers take on a lot and do not receive their due compensation. It boggles my mind when I see that preschool teachers are one the lowest paying jobs yet scores high in job satisfactory. So these teachers love their jobs yet they don't get paid enough for all that they do? Not only that, what about teachers who go the extra mile and receive their bachelors, masters or any other post secondary education in the field and still aren't compensated properly for that? Those teachers should not be paid hourly! I am still doing a good amount of research on this and there will be a change. With schools becoming high quality they are now requiring teachers to have a bachelor's degree or some sort of post secondary education. 

Part 2: Why are advocates essential in the early childhood field? Explain why you believe becoming a skilled and confident advocate is crucial for early childhood professionals and for the field.

Advocates are essential because they play a role in the political aspects of early learning. While preschool teachers wear a number of hats and it can be quite difficult to add the role of an advocate to their list of job duties. Advocates in early learning are our champions for families who don't have voice and/or the resources that families may not be aware of to able to provide high quality early learning for their children. 

Part 3: What do you hope to learn about public policy and advocacy? Articulate at least three goals related to this specialization at this point in your coursework.

I hope to learn more about how to research and deliver what I have learned to be of better assistance to the school, families and communities I serve and work.