One of the outside links displayed on ZeroToThree website is Early Head Start https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/ehsnrc. From this website, I decided to read about Home or family visitors as I am inclined to the fact Vasquez (personal communication, 2013) shared this week that families play a crucial role in children development. From this web page, families testified to the fact that visit from Early head start or EC professionals has been so beneficial to them. Some parents admitted that they were novice in child upbringing until they met some officials who saw them through challenging times with their kids. An important area that I appreciated the work of head start with families is their relationship with pregnant mothers. Knowing that development starts from the womb (Berger, 2012), Early head start take their time to lecture and nurture expectant mothers. They do this not minding culture or language difference which has solved the issue of inequity in terms of culture.
To me, this information is new as I don't live in the US, and it's good to hear and know that Early Head Start follow up expectant families and families with young children; helping and educating them in several areas like breastfeeding, sleeping methods, play, etc.
Funding is a major reason for inequity as we saw in our resources this week. As I searched this site further, I read that a certain amount of money was given to Early head start for the training and degree upgrading of her staff, so that all Early Head start teachers have at least associate baccalaureate or other higher degrees and then working experience. This will help teachers be responsive as child development has been linked to teacher's qualification.
References
Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood. Worth Publishers, NY New York
I think Early Head Start is so important for these mommies who do not know what to do and do not have the strong support system they need. It is a wonderful program!
ReplyDeleteEarly Head Start, as well as Head Start, are wonderful programs. They really do help families and children in need. They do so much to support the entire family and the professionals within this organization are compensated very fairly compared to other professionals in the industry. The unfortunate thing is that states nation wide are slowly cutting these programs due to budget cuts. The state of North Carolina, where I live, has made a lot of cuts to Early Head Start and Head Start. I have many friends who work in these programs and they are very unsure of the security of their job. It's a very scary situation to be in and quite a shame considering the success that these programs have.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! I love the dedication from Early Head Start to expectant mothers. I think that dedication is important because alot of times you come in contact with first time moms who really lack resources and knowledge about the importance of child development.
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