Colon_K_411 Blog #4

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.