Colon_K_411 Blog #4
Whom you observed and
interacted with in your setting during this module
Answer: During this
last module I interacted with parents at the head start center and the host
teacher and her assistant. I also observed the children and their families
bringing them in from a long holiday weekend so their definitely was fewer
children and very tired parents that didn’t want to stay and answer questions
from me especially being that the host teacher never introduced me to the parents
and just plainly went up to them and asked them if they would answer a few questions
for me. I however was able to speak to a few parents mostly dads. I asked about
advocacy programs that they themselves would be involved in and they like the
teaching staff in past weeks said they also have no time to join advocacy
groups due to their family lives and their busy work schedules. The question
came up about how the staff and the childhood professionals in this childcare
facility advocate for them, and answers were given that all the staff at this
center are always available to listen and help parents locate resources that
can help them better their lives. 2 dads discussed how they have been looking for
employment for months and the social worker and the teaching staff have been
helping them out by giving them job leads. One dada stated that this childcare
center advocates for his family when they are in need of food services and
educational resources that can help their families. Another dad discussed how
the parent meetings are important to him because they help him learn about how
to raise his children and therefore he can use that information to advocate for
his children.
Any special learning
experiences you may have had or an experience that provided you with insight
about children and families including advocacy efforts
Answer: My
special learning experience was working with poverty stricken families that
were poorly educated, and abusive. These families made me think that they were
in these conditions because they never had anyone or group advocate for them or
hear their cries for help causing these issues of poverty poor education, and
abuse to be a norm in their lives. These issues are what brought me to the
education field. These families are families I want to help I want to advocate
for these families and help them end these viscous cycles that they feel are
their lives. I want to advocate for families that want better for their
children even though they cannot afford the best.
At least two insights
gained from your observations of, and interactions and experiences with,
children’s families regarding advocacy efforts and needs related to your area
of interest within the field of early childhood
Answer:
based on what was said to me it seems like parents learn from educators and
other important people so they can better serve the needs of their children and
advocate for their children for a better life. Through my observation being
able to see staff help families so they can have hope for the future and look
at things differently was a great learning experience. Being able to see
families come through the door in the morning upset at their spouses or at the
world but have a small conversation with their child’s teacher allowed for many
of them to leave in a much happier note was great to witness. I see know that
if programs like child care, head start,
pre-school would seize to exists who would hear the cry of these families who
would help them work on achieving their goals for their families.
