Throughout the last two weeks of observation and interacting with the professionals, children, and families at Sheltering Arms I was able to learn about the benefits of their Early Head Start (EHS) Program, which was in an infant classroom (six weeks to fifteen months). I was enlightened at how the program stands true to the original beginnings of the Head Start program. The traditional Head Start program was a place where children could come for hot meals, food and care with personal hygiene while they are educated in a early childhood setting. The EHS program at Sheltering Arms is designed for low income families, they provide child care for them at a low and affordable rate. Families in the EHS programs are given an opportunity for assistance with receiving formula, diapers, and food when needed for infants and toddlers as well as a full day in the ECE setting. The teachers and staff offer a safe, encouraging environment for families as well as children, home visits are done, parenting classes are required, volunteer time in the classrooms is required along with daily tips and help with maintaining the healthy growth, development and care of the children.
In conversations with families I learned that they were very happy with the care, concern and help that they received from the center and many of them had more than one child go through the program. They were so happy with the success of their first child's experience they put their new babies on the waiting as soon as they knew they were pregnant. I was able to observe how the teachers interact with families and care for the children. Some of the teachers and children had such a bond that would cause the child to cry when the teacher left out of the classroom. Even though I was only observing I felt as though when children respond to adults in that way they are in good care. Because the center offers continuity of care the children would have these bonds up until they turned three.
The insight I gained as I observed that includes advocacy efforts is how effective parent education. Programs like EHS are a great avenue for reaching out to parents who may not know better while raising their children. I was enlightened by how the teachers in this small classroom chose to be advocates for the children in their class and speak up to the parents about how to care for their children. While I was their one of the teachers explained how they are having issued with the babies bottles not being cleaned properly, so they place hand outs in each child's cubby along with a brand new bottle cleaner and small bottle of dish washing liquid. This gestures was used in an attempt to not single any one out, but simply educate.
I learned that there is still a high demand for passionate and caring teachers. Many times I see where teachers are only there for a pay check leaving our youth in situations where they are not challenged or helped the way they need. if the teachers I observed felt that way these families would suffer. In my attempt to continue my journey learning and exploring advocacy I plan on being a voice for those families and children who need people like me who wants to see them successful and prosperous in their lives.
Lekethia,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog about your experiences with families and their children in your Sheltering Arms setting. Your statement that “I was enlightened by how the teachers in this small classroom chose to be advocates for the children in their class and speak up to the parents about how to care for their children” is powerful in determining the need for teachers to be advocates for families and children (Lekethia). Parent education can fall on either side of an extremely fine line. On one side, educators have to be careful that they do not overstep the family’s boundaries and come across as telling them what they need to do thus ultimately offending them in the process. On the other side, educators need to inform families of positive parenting practices. You provided a great example of the bottle issue and the way that the educators were able to handle it without singling anyone out in that particular example. In addition, I think that the educators’ ability to provide the families with the materials to combat the problem and learn from it was also positive and shows their ability to fall in the middle of that fine line to provide positive parent education.
Summer
Lekethia
ReplyDeleteThat was professional in the way that the teacher place a handout in the child's cubby on the proper way to clean a baby bottle. In doing it that way no one will be single out and offended.
The parent may not know, sometimes we assume that people know and they don't. Parent education is very important to me.
Lekethia,
ReplyDeleteThat was a professional way to communicate with a parent. In doing it that way no one will be offended. Many times we assume that parent should know, but they do not always know. I feel that parent education is very important. Great Insight you gain on that observation.
I really enjoy reading your post. Your topic is very important to parents and especially teen parent. Parent should be educated on hoe to care for their child at home. I work in and EHS program and a lot of my parents need to be educated on how to care for their child. I have told to the Case managers to see what workshop that they could come up with for the parents. Great Post!!!!
ReplyDelete