Early Childhood Education Public Policy and Advocacy

Early childhood education has been a big part of my life since I can remember.  Having worked with children beginning at the age of 6 weeks old to 18 years old I have witnessed the challenges that the families have with the development and wellbeing of their children.  Sitting with the teachers and the parents, coming to the table with a plan to assist with the successful development of their child has always been a passion for me.  Advocating for a child daily, I take on that challenge for my community.

I feel that it is essential to have advocates in the EC field that are skilled and confident.  An advocate is someone that is dedicated and proactive stance taken by individuals in response to particular issues that concern them.  In early childhood education, the purpose of advocacy is to promote ideas and seek resolution that will affect children and families in positive ways (Kieff and Casbergue, 2000, p. 13).  An advocator must feel that they are in control and know what they are speaking of.  They are going to be expected to be the expert in the subject they are advocating for and not knowing the answer can land them in a predicament that may lose the audience that was supporting them. 

I have set the following goals for this class and hope to meet them:

·         A better understanding of what is expected from an advocate

·         Investigating what areas in EC are in need of advocating

·         What challenges do advocates face and how they overcome them

I know a few of them are not as important as the others, but I want more for my families and their children, my program, and my community.  I would fight until the last bit of energy was taken from me in order for my community get something that they needed in order to better the quality of life.  I hope to gain a better understanding of others, advocates so that I can only rise up and become a stronger and efficient advocator.

Reference

Kieff, J., & Casbergue, R. (2000). Playful learning and teaching: Integrating play into preschool and primary programs. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.