What motivated you to start advocating for very young children?
When I began my journey into the early childhood field my three young children were my biggest motivation. When my children were very young I was a single mother who was struggling to go back to school and obtain early child care and education for my girls. After I entered into the early childhood field my motivation remained my children but began to include the families high-quality early childhood care and education programs serve. I have seen as well as experienced the impact that the early childhood field has on families.
Why is it essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro level as well as the macro level?
I believe it is essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro and macro levels so that both levels can partner and collaborate together to create high-quality programs and services for young children and their families. The micro level must feel acknowledged and know that they are being heard and appreciated while the macro level must have a clear understanding of the needs of young children and their families.
What does it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues?
To be a community leader on early childhood issues it takes passion, persistence, commitment, and openness to work with a diverse group of individuals and organizations. Community leaders must be able to communicate well with diverse groups and individuals, build relationships, and be persistent in their efforts to educate their community on the importance of early childhood issues. They must also be passionate about the issues that affect young children and their families.
What resources does it take to be a State leader on early childhood issues?
The resources that a State leader on early childhood issues need include funding, advocacy networks, professional organizations, and communication skills. State leaders on early childhood issues must partner with preschools, teachers, professional organization, early childhood programs, and parents to ensure that they have a full understanding of the needs at the local levels.
What tactics or strategies do you use to mobilize others?
Tactics or strategies that I utilize to mobilize others include sharing email alerts from professional organizations, sharing information on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and meeting with other professionals to share ideas for advocating.
What advice would you give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocacy for young children and their families?
Advice that I would give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocacy for young children and their families is to remember that their will be challenges, that sometimes your views may not be popular, and that you must maintain site of your long term goal: providing quality programs and services for all young children and their families. I would also advice them to stay current on legislative policies and legislation that affect young children and their families, and to build relationships with community leaders. It is important to remember that change does not come easily but in the end it is well worth the work. In the words of Herbert Hoover: "Children are our most valuable resource."
When I began my journey into the early childhood field my three young children were my biggest motivation. When my children were very young I was a single mother who was struggling to go back to school and obtain early child care and education for my girls. After I entered into the early childhood field my motivation remained my children but began to include the families high-quality early childhood care and education programs serve. I have seen as well as experienced the impact that the early childhood field has on families.
Why is it essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro level as well as the macro level?
I believe it is essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro and macro levels so that both levels can partner and collaborate together to create high-quality programs and services for young children and their families. The micro level must feel acknowledged and know that they are being heard and appreciated while the macro level must have a clear understanding of the needs of young children and their families.
What does it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues?
To be a community leader on early childhood issues it takes passion, persistence, commitment, and openness to work with a diverse group of individuals and organizations. Community leaders must be able to communicate well with diverse groups and individuals, build relationships, and be persistent in their efforts to educate their community on the importance of early childhood issues. They must also be passionate about the issues that affect young children and their families.
What resources does it take to be a State leader on early childhood issues?
The resources that a State leader on early childhood issues need include funding, advocacy networks, professional organizations, and communication skills. State leaders on early childhood issues must partner with preschools, teachers, professional organization, early childhood programs, and parents to ensure that they have a full understanding of the needs at the local levels.
What tactics or strategies do you use to mobilize others?
Tactics or strategies that I utilize to mobilize others include sharing email alerts from professional organizations, sharing information on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and meeting with other professionals to share ideas for advocating.
What advice would you give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocacy for young children and their families?
Advice that I would give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocacy for young children and their families is to remember that their will be challenges, that sometimes your views may not be popular, and that you must maintain site of your long term goal: providing quality programs and services for all young children and their families. I would also advice them to stay current on legislative policies and legislation that affect young children and their families, and to build relationships with community leaders. It is important to remember that change does not come easily but in the end it is well worth the work. In the words of Herbert Hoover: "Children are our most valuable resource."
Toni
ReplyDeleteThese things are so true you have listed. Especially passion. When I think about people working for something, you know they are only gonna do what they feel. If you really care about something you dedicate time and put extra effort into it. Advocating for something is just the same. If you don't care about it, you aren't going to put much effort in it. I love the Herbert Hoover quote!
Toni
ReplyDeleteI too became interested in advocacy after having my children. I think it is so important to help those who are becoming advocates to understand that they will not always be popular nor will they always want to be heard but if they beleive in the resolve of an issue persevere!!
Toni,
ReplyDeleteYou gave a truthful advice by saying that there will be challenges along the way.I would say challenges like lack of funds , people not agreeing with you on what you stand for, and inadequate resources. I believe that as long as there is passion , challenges will turn to success stories.
Your comment about being able to communicate with diverse groups of people is well-taken. I am lucky to live in the San Francisco bay area which is extremely diverse. I have considered how difficult it might be for advocates that grew up in a not so diverse area to build a strong, diverse, cultural IQ. I imagine it would be more difficult for them. I have other challenges to overcome!
ReplyDelete