An Early Childhood Advocate

           I am interested in advocating for reform in the existing state systems. We have the fortune to have three grant-based programs in our center, Georgia Pre-K Lottery, Early Head Start, and Quality Rated Subsidy Grant, along with a subsidy Children and Parents Subsidy (CAPS). However, I have witness abuse of these programs in preparing the children and their families for lifelong progress. Some loopholes allow children to attend ten days out of a month and still be in good standing, and to come to school after instructional time has begun, and breakfast is over. We must feed these children because they are usually hungry for their first meal, and the children have no control over their tardiness. One parent kept his son out of school because he had a hair appointment, another one overslept because she was up late along with her child. These programs are designed to provide a service for families who cannot afford childcare, a way to give their children a head start in early learning. I must help parents to practice methods of success, attendance and being on time is required on jobs, and in public schools. The earlier these families adopt these methods, the easier the transition from early childcare to public school will be.

       Lack of attendance and tardiness is very discouraging, and I want to help now before those habits ruin their children’s beliefs. According to Kieff (2009), one part of being an advocate is the:’ …proactive stance taken by individuals in response to particular issues that concern them” (p.7).   The early childhood professional sees what is happening and sometimes what is needed to improve an issue.

       I want to learn how to approach an established state system with my concerns in a way that induces change. I want to find an alternative method to encourage parents who participate in free programs of the need to attend each day and to be on time. I want to help families, and state systems see the parallel of what a child sees are predicated to what he does. How can I help a family place more value on school than going to a barber, and that it is never to early or young to value school?

                                             

                                                Reference

Kieff, J.(2009). Informed advocacy in early childhood care and education: Making a

   difference for young children and families. Upper Saddle, NJ : Pearson Education, Inc.