Matter of Public Opinion

As child advocates, our challenge is not to have people want these goals (of positive and healthy development) for their children but to demand them for all children.
—Bill Bentley, President and CEO of Voices for America’s Children

From my perspective, I believe that the public has come to understand the importance of caring and education our young from the moment of conception.  There is so much research to support that “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”—Frederick Douglass that the public cannot ignore how important the field of early childhood is.  My thinking is highly influenced by the history of the field learnt this week.  We went from no government support to an official early childhood system supported by the government and other government funding for private preschools.  That sort of change can only take place because the public is starting to realize the truth in Frederick Douglass’s words.

With the help of advocates in my cohort, I hope the public over the next five years, realizes the tremendous impact social emotional development has on all aspect of a child’s life.  I pray the public realizes the need for preschool for all children in order to ensure a future that is bright.  Preschool settings monitored and regulated by the government with strict academic, social, and emotional curricula to promote healthy development of children and their families. 

If universal preschool were to come to fruition, issues such as access to service would no longer be an issue since preschool would be treated like all other grades.  Issues such as competent professionals, funding, and quality would remain an issue that advocates in my cohort would need to continue to fight for. 

Why Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy

Why Public Policy and Advocacy?

            When I was a little girl, my older brother and I always spoke of providing services to children and their families.  We use to say that no Haitian children would ever go hungry with our organization around. (I am a Haitian Native)  Growing up my dad used to preach that education was the solution to everything.  As I got older and attended college I learned the significance of a preschool education; how it has the ability to build the foundation necessary to be successful educationally in later years.  That was when I realized that I wanted to universalize preschool for children all over the world.  But I could not do that without knowing the field first.  So I began to work as an early childhood teacher then a literacy coach.  Two to three years into my teaching career, I realize that the same issues returned to my room every year even though I had a brand new class every time.  That was when I realized that the policies around us ruled and dictated our lives.  Shortly afterwards, I was a member of the Walden University family pursing a Master’s in Early childhood Studies Public Policy and Advocacy.

            What is an advocate? 

“Advocates are people who stand up for, speak for, and work to enhance the lives of others who are not able or not yet able to speak for themselves.  Advocacy is often highly visible… but just as often, advocacy is quiet and personal and is immediately noticed by only those most affected.” (Kieff, 2009)

            So why are advocated essential in the early childhood field?  Well because advocates are necessary to positive change.  Much like the quote expressed, everyone can become an advocate.  Parents advocate for their children in the same way that teachers advocate for their students.  If we are not willing to acknowledge that a system is flawed, take the necessary steps to rectify it, then change would never come.  Another major reason why I want to be a skilled and confident advocate is because I am aware of the institutional isms that stand in the way of individuals being advocates for themselves as a result, I believe it to be my duty to help those less fortunate than me.

Three goals I aspire to accomplish at the end of this course:

1.      I want to gain insight on the best doctorate program for the professional goals I have in mind.  Hopefully with the materials covered in this course, I will have a clue as to what my next career move is.

2.      I want to learn the tools and skills necessary to be a skilled and confident advocate.  Having the tools will allow me the opportunity for growth and with growth I come closer to achieving my dreams

3.      I would love to learn the process by which policies come to life.

References

Kieff, J. (2009). Informed advocacy in early childhood care and education: Making a difference for young children and families. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Many Thanks!!!

As I come one step closer to achieving the goal I set to achieve at Walden University, I understand greatly that my success is not entirely my doing.  I have my colleagues and my professors to thank.  My colleagues provided an array of ideas and challenged my way of thinking at every turn and as a result I am better prepared to deal with diversity issues.  My professors have been there to hone my skills and help me to understand to the complexity of the field on which I have chosen to make my mark.

As I prepare to dive into my specialty, I really appreciate having traveled the journey with you (yes YOU :) and welcome the opportunity to collaborate and remain in contact because personally I know you are and asset and resource and wish to utilize you to benefit the children I serve.

Always remember the reason why you do what it is that you do and try not to take yourself so SERIOUS.  Keep in mind that people can be absent minded and as a result do things that will push your buttons.  Learn the buttons so you can effectively deal with these situations.

I wish you well in your future endeavors and look forward to us changing the world one day, one child, and one family at a time

Sincerely,

Annie Paraison

Til Next Time :)

ADJOURNING

This week I learned about the five stages of development. (forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012)  Personally aspect of a group that would make it hard for me to leave would not necessarily be that we were high-performing.  If we trusted each other so much so that the relationship was one I counted on, and our goal was not completed in the end, saying goodbye would still be very difficult.  I would say it is easy to leave a team with low trust because if trust is low we probably did not take the time to get to know each other anyway.  The opposite might also be true but can also be false.  I can trust someone professionally thus ensuring the team is high-functioning but not share much personal information, remaining unattached which would make it easy to say good-bye.

Groups with the clearest norms could go either way as well…

If we established norms to stay professional keep us on a professional task then leaving might not be too difficult.  If the norms were established after the group got to know each other personally and formed a good bond while working together, then it might be hard to leave.

I have been working with the organization I am currently with for five years now.  I am making plans to part ways after I complete my Masters here at Walden.  Have we accomplished our goal of “positively impacting the quality of lives of children and families” (18^th Avenue mission Statement), yes we have but is that a goal that is continuous?  Yes it is because there will always be children and families to serve.  Parting with them will be so entirely difficult because I have been working with everyone for the years I have been there and whether I allowed it or not have developed a form of personal relationship.  Which simply tells me that the amount of time spent working in a group also affects whether or not it is hard to leave.

            I always make sure to wish my teammates well when it is time to part ways.  Leaving my colleagues at Walden will be hard because I will not have a group of people to constantly challenge my ideas and collect ideas from.  Nonetheless, adjourning is important because one if the team ever gets together again, they will have a chance to hone their performance.  Another reason why adjourning is important is because starting the process with a group of different people will present and invite diversity which will make you a better person and professional because you’ll be able to think and analyze from broader perspectives.

(Adapted from O'Hair and Wiemann, 2012, pp. 278)
Reference
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

THISS WWWEEEEEEEEKKKKK

Can I think of any disagreements or conflicts I’ve encountered lately?

I think the question should really be which one of the conflicts I’ve encountered just today, am I willing to share…

            This week my roommate and I got into a huge disagreement… Because the argument was over an issue that has been a theme for a year now I have decided to employ the ‘escapist’ strategy (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 236) because I truly believe part of being an effective communicator is knowing when the strategies you are employing do not work for someone.  I have tried bargaining, compromising, reasoning, and even taken on responsibility all to myself in order to keep peace.  When someone fails to respect those around him, he will always fail to empathize or sympathize with them as a result all the bargaining and compromising will fall to deaf ears.  Explaining why I am choosing the escapist strategy because I feel like it is wasted energy… I have grown completely indifferent to the situation and care to avoid it at all cost… Nonetheless I feel like I should ask… Am I giving up? Is there a solution to the issue that I have not considered?

This week we also got to celebrate our 5 year reunion (Graduated from Vanderbilt University 5 year ago) so naturally there are many many friends in town celebrating this momentous event with me.  With that comes many questions: “Where do we eat lunch? Should we do brunch instead and where? What time are we doing brunch? Who’s going to the football game?  What other homecoming event is everyone attending? How many people are doing this? Etc… The larger the group of people interacting, the more conflict opportunities and with each I have to choose to challenge or cooperate. (O’Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 236)  I always attempt to challenge and/or cooperate in a respectable manner, respond in a timely fashion, and reciprocate any courtesy extended to me. (NVC, n.d.)

Personally, conflict does not scare me… I welcome it because it teaches me how to treat those around me and how others should treat me.  I always appreciate someone communicating an issue with me so we can solve it rather than address with someone else.  If the issue is with me, I can guarantee I will have more insight into what I am thinking than anyone else J

References

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d.). The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/