Module 4 Post

I went on a walk with my host teachers class and on our way back a student's grandmother arrived to pick him up.  As we were walking back into the building we passed her car and we realized that the grandmother did not have any car seats in the back of her car.  There are two grandchildren that she was picking up ages 1 and 2 years old.  When we got back into the building we notified the family advocate and she went and talked to the grandmother.  Head Start is able to get car seats for families that need them.  They are working on the necessary paperwork and then they will be able to give those to the grandmother.  It was very alarming to me that the grandmother was picking them up on a regular basis without any type of safety seats.  I think it is fantastic that Head Start has the ability to provide families with necessary things such as car seats.  I was afraid that the grandmother may get upset and defensive but the family advocate said that she was very nice and expressed how much she really wanted car seats but just couldn't afford them. 

Module 3

I have been talking with my host teachers and also the family advocate for that classroom.  They have been working hard preparing for a family fun day happening tomorrow.  They sent out invitations to each of the parents inviting them to come join in on the fun from 9-3.  They are providing a lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs off the grill for the students, staff and parents.  They printed off certificates showing recognition to each child for the length of time they have completed at Head Start.  The parents also got certificates to show their appreciation for being involved and to promote further involvement in the future.  The teachers and the advocate have been asking each parent if they are going to be attending.  They talk constantly about how important it is for parent involvement.  The advocate told me that it is very hard to get some of the parents to come help out because they feel it does no good. 

As a child I always remember my mom being a room mother and bringing in treats and helping when we did holiday parties and such.  I can't imaging being in school and your parents not wanting to come and be a part of it when they can.  The sad thing with this particular site is that parents are rarely willing to get involved.  They are providing food and games because sadly enough there has to be a better incentive to participate than just being their for their child. 

Module 2 Post

I have been working with an infant room where the ages range from six weeks to 3 years.  The dental clinic here at Head Start has been going full swing.  I was talking with the family advocate of the room I'm observing and she let me know how important the dental clinic has been.  One little boy had to have an emergency examination because his front two teeth have bottle rot in them.  They told the mother that his two front teeth have to be extracted immediately.  The little boy is only two and it was a good thing that the dental clinic was there because his mother wasn't even brushing his teeth because it was so painful for him. That service is so important because the mother probably would have never taken him to a dentist.  And since she wasn't brushing them his other teeth could have ended up in a terrible condition also.  I also spoke with one of the social emotional therapists that comes to the classroom.  He was telling me about the success stories he has had in his work.  There is a little boy in the room I'm observing and he has made great progress since he started in December.  I still need to meet with someone or go to the WIC office to get some information about them and their services.  I also have met with the site manager of Head Start to get some information on the history of Head Start and their mission statement. 

EDU 411 Initial Blog

I interviewed one of the family advocates at the Head Start program where I work.  She brought some important programs to my attention that Head Start offers to their children and families.  They offer a dental clinic for the children and their families to come and get not only dental checks but also dental repair.  It is free of charge and right there at the Head Start facility.  She helped me to narrow down my topic to the health and well being of the children.  I also talked with a social emotional therapist that comes into my classroom to provide services for a little boy.  He just really talked about how important it is that families know that those services are out there for their children.  Some parents don’t even know that these services exist or that they will come to your home.  Children who would benefit from early intervention services would really be helping their well being.  When I was talking with the family advocate she was talking about other services that help families such as CCRS and WIC. 

 After talking with those two professionals and thinking hard about what I am interested in.  I have decided to chose the topic of heath and well being.  My three sub topics are going to be Head Start and Early Head Start, early intervention and WIC.  Both Head Start programs and WIC not only offer services for the children but also the parents.  This is also very important I am excited to have finally narrowed down my topics and to begin researching.