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
I also felt as though parent and family involvement was essential to the child's development and educational process. It takes more than family to raise and educate children. It takes the community which includes the educators.
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