My
community does not have information about resources that can help improve their
lives. For instance, I know a child who has asthma and is struggling in
elementary school, he always mentions that he hates school. Most children in my
community are all struggling in school and do not have high quality support for
children from elementary, middle and high school even college. In the summer
most of these children lost ground with their peers. I think that teachers,
educators and parents should be accountable in their dealings with children in
order to give them the best that they deserve. Children are the world's most
valuable resource and its best hope for the future. Quote from John. F.
Kennedy. In serving the best interest of children, we serve the best interests
of all humanity. Quote from Carol Bellamy.
It is
essential to advocate effort in the best interest of families by improving
education, income and health of people in my community. I would like to
advocate for children to have quality education, provide food, health,
transportation, shelter for families and also give them opportunities to be
employed and to earn good living. Other ways to foster the well being of
children and their families are through socializing and collaborating with
health and nutrition professionals, inviting “a mental health professional who
can volunteer to speak to community children to learn conflict-resolution
skills as well as ways to prevent bullying during after school programs (Kieff,
2009).
As a
community leader on the early childhood issues I would focus my attention on
children’s rights, supporting, training and educating parents on the needs to
become effective parents. Communities, parents and teachers in the neighborhood
need to be ware of how policies are developed for children. In a community
where children are failing in schools, leaders, parents and advocates need to
come together to solve the problem. Failure enables people to understand what
they need to do differently. An advocate takes a stand to spread the word, and
creates visibility for the issue. Advocates often testify before congressional
bodies regarding legislation that is important for the well being of young
children and their families (Kieff, 2009 p.80). In building communities there
should be collaboration between parents and support for multiracial children
and their families. "There
are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by
ourselves" Author unknown. The legislative process in the state allows early
childhood educators to come up with programs that need to be implemented and
how it will impact the lives of people in the community.
The
strategies for mobilizing others in an early childhood field is by networking
with other groups, hosting events and working with the media.
My
advice to someone who wants to advocate for the interest of young children and
their families is being able to voice out children’s rights to community
groups. The advocate should be familiar with and know the topic of her interest
from many angles. She should network with other organizations and locate the
people who can help her advance the cause she believes in. Adults need to get
involved in the program or cause they are passionate about because when caring
adults stand together and speak with one voice to politicians, students win
(Geoffrey Canada). The way forward is for advocates to get involved and do not
give up.
Reference
Kieff, J. (2009). Informed
advocacy in early childhood care and education. Upper
Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson.
Chika,
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that your local community has not began addressing issues that effect young children. I think is good that you understand that it is important to view issues from more then one angle. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Chika,
ReplyDeleteI agree that collaboration between community and families is an important role.As professionals we must be part of the community and understand what is needed and what will benefit children and their families.