What motivated you to start advocating for young children?
I have always had a passion and love for children, what continued to fuel that love was the birth of my nephew Justice. It was through his attendance in a series of childcare facilities; one in particular that deemed his behavior as " too much to handle" and wanted my sister to have him evaluated by a certain date. My sister refused and by doing so the center told her she had to find some place else for him to attend.
I can recall my sister being so stressed and worried that something was "wrong" with her child. Doctors could not seem to find anything wrong with him other than he was a thriving toddler. I admired my sisters story and how she did not waver at someone else's ability to use their position to make her feel inadequate, yet she fought to maintain her values and found a location for my nephew a place in which would respect his creativity and challenged him in more ways than one.
When is it essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro as well as the macro level?
I believe advocacy for an individual child and or family begins with someone identifying a need, and that need being catapulted into a larger relm of not only affecting those locally but families everywhere. " Early childhood professionals, particularly early interventionist and early childhood education professionals, are most familiar and feel most comfortable because it occurs within their own sphere of influence". (Keiff, 2009 p.g 22) Being organized, efficient, and well prepared through research, documenting concerns, and ensuring children and families are well informed.
What does it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues?
I believe it take someone that is actively connected to the community through there efforts and resources, someone who is not afraid of attending meeting or rallies to know what the issues are. Maintaining an awareness of what is happening in the community on all sectors school, church, childcare facilities, and community resources building, will keep an advocate abreast and will foster healthier environments for children and families.
What resources does it take to be a state leader on early childhood issues?
It takes someone that is willing to listen to there constituents, -"people that elected them, without their feedback of a problem existing he/ she will not be aware of the needs of the communities". (kieff, 2009 pg. 78) I believe rallying the support of others with similar interest can influence positive change.
What tactics or strategies do you use to mobilize others?
I use my personal experiences to bridge the gap with others in hopes of fostering a better future. My mission in working with others is to create trusting relationships which energizes others to be able to articulate the message of advocating for young children and their families.
What advice would you give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role advocating for young children and their families?
I would fully encourage their efforts and seek to assist those interesting with resources and or agencies that can help support their cause. Recently I shared a website I used in gathering information for an assignment with a participant on my case load that recently became a mom to a child born with a birth defect. When passing on the information to this new mom I shared with her she is not alone in her journey and sought to review the site with her to encourage her spirits and provided information about coping with being away from your child.
Resource:
J. Kieff ( 2009) Informed Advocacy in Early Childhood Care and Education. Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle Rive, New Jersey.
Your story about how you got involved in early childhood advocacy really hit home for me! My son is 3 1/2 and the center he is currently at has been starting conversations in a round about way regarding his difficult behavior. I also work at this center and people have alluded to everything from lack of discipline at home to the possibility of autism.. none of which are accurate. I am currently struggling with advocating for him and showing his teachers and others in the center that he is just a spirited toddler and he gets overwhelmed easily by noise and excessive stimulation. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour story about how you got involved in early childhood advocacy really hit home for me! My son is 3 1/2 and the center he is currently at has been starting conversations in a round about way regarding his difficult behavior. I also work at this center and people have alluded to everything from lack of discipline at home to the possibility of autism.. none of which are accurate. I am currently struggling with advocating for him and showing his teachers and others in the center that he is just a spirited toddler and he gets overwhelmed easily by noise and excessive stimulation. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt does seem an irony that the teachers are supposed to be helping every and each child; and sometimes it does not happen. Parents get stressed as a result. I recall something I learned in one of my classes that this is one of the reasons why teachers must set up relationships with parents...so that the parents would trust the teachers with their children.
ReplyDelete