Parent, Family and Community Engagement

The stories touch me personally and professional because they provided insight into the great experiences many children and families have encountered through the Head Start program.  The parents spoke of the educational opportunities that were provided to their children and how they where enriched and empowered by being a part of the program.  Head start helped them to acquire knowledge and services that were important to developing relationships with their children and with staff members.  It also helped many parents build their self esteem by being a part of the program and the positive experiences that the program instills. 
These stories help childcare professional realize the value and the reward of what they do and it allows them to continue to advocate for young children in order to make sure their needs are being met.  It renews the strength of educators and helps them to keep fighting to make sure policy makers and the government understands how essential early education is to children and families.

Involvement opportunities for parents and families in the early childhood program are essential for meeting the needs of children, both at home and at school.  Effective communication is key in setting goals for children and families and for meeting and addressing the needs that will allow the child and the parents to develop successful relationships that will continue throughout their lifetime.  I believe parent/family involvement is an essential system element for all strands of service in the early childhood field because it shows parents how important their role is in educating their children and helping to set goals for what they want to see them accomplish.  It's also essential to make sure the needs of children are being met on all levels possible and that adjustments are made to make sure children grow develop appropriately.


Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC), part of the Office of Head Start.http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/hs/about/stories/pfs

What Resonates With You About Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy

"In the field of early childhood education, advocacy is the willingness to take a stand on behalf of children and families that goes beyond common decency or expectations" (Kieff, J, 2009). As an educator and an advocate children, it is important for me to continuously increase my knowledge of the issues and concerns that that regularly affect children and families.  It's also important for me to recognize and understand the different concepts of advocacy and the characteristics that will make me a more effective advocate.

"Advocacy is a proactive stance taken by individuals in response to particular issues that concern them" (Kieff, J., 2009).  Becoming a skill and confident advocate is crucial for early childhood professionals and the field because it puts professionals in a better position to work for children and families on local and national levels.  It allows professionals to make sure that others know the importance of what children need to grow and development, as well as, protect their individual rights and needs.

I hope to learn how advocacy and public policy impacts children and families in both positive and negative ways.  I also hope to learn how to become a more effective advocate for children and families by learning from others and by learning how I can increase my advocacy efforts for children and families.  Also, I hope to develop ongoing resources and support that will allow me to become a more effective advocate for the early childhood field.

Kieff, J. (2009). Informed advocacy in early childhood care and education: Making a difference for young children and families. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc