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.
I believe that parent's involvement is the most important factor in early childhood development. It makes the experience better for both the child and parent. The parent gets a chance to see how the child is progressing. At my site, another way that I get parents to get involve is to have an ice cream social. If the child name starts with an F, I ask them to bring something that starts with that letter for the ice cream. It acts as an activity for the both the parent and the child. I too believe that it is sad that you have to include activities or food for the parents to spend time with their children in a classroom setting. Sometimes the parents act as children they also need some type of incentive you participate.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great program and the day sounds really fun. I also find it really sad that they provide these activities and some parents don't want to take part in them. I feel that some parents think about them self and forget about the children. Children are so important in my eyes but maybe thats just me because I grew up in a teaching world and am a single parent.
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