Saturday, 20 September 2014
PARENT, FAMILY, and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
From reading about the different families and professional stories with regards to how HEAD START has impacted or changed various individuals you recognize how important it is for families to become involved in an early childhood system that meets their needs. These systems should reflect the family because the system is really a service to children and their families. What struck me most about these stories that I listened and read about were the parents especially the fathers want to have an input in their children’s lives especially from a very early stage. HEAD START formed the foundation to help parents to recognize their role as a parent. When you read these stories you realize how much impact early childhood has on children and their parents. It makes you feel encouraged and appreciated. I was very impressed with a father when he mentioned that the most important thing we can give to my children is time (Jorge Avendado, Father of the Year. As a mother and an early childhood professional I can compare myself to his story. So many times we believe that we can give children material wealth to make up for the time lost between parent and child but I have learned from early that it is so important to spend quality time with your child. Although money is very important we must go the extra mile to ensure that we listen and talk to our children. It is about developing a strong bond between parent and child. What I appreciate with HEAD START is the fact that they provide parenting classes. Avendado realized the importance of making time for his daughter and I know this has created positive results for both him and his daughter. As an early childhood professional I would definitely want to emulate this system in my home country. As an early childhood professional I have also garnered how much all strands in early childhood are interrelated and depend on each other.HEAD START is not just about recognizing problems with the parents and the children but they also spend time in devising strategies to deal with the issues such creating parenting workshops to deal with the everyday issues.
Reference
Jorge Avendano, Father of the Year at Davis/Morgan/Summit Head Start-Early Head Start, Kaysville, UT
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Judy,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I like that Head Start does parenting classes as well. I like that everything they do is an effort to support the family. It is hard to be a parent, especially one that struggles financially. Every little bit of support is vital and necessary.
Thanks,
Danielle
Judy,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post! After reading your post I really reflected on the children in my class and the relationships that they have with their parents. I see so many of my children bonding with just one parent instead of the other. The experience I have had with fathers has been a positive one and I am curious to see if more fathers get involved with their children's education in comparison to mothers, just food for thought!
At our Head Start we also have a program for Father's. I wish that it were a little more active within our program and in the community. Both parents I feel are equally important, we just have different traits that we bring to the table. The relationships and lessons that our children learn from us are different. I feel we should also come up with other programs such as single parent committees. Single parenting is a growing trend and is very difficult. We need to support our families any way that we can.
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