ellamaeterryearlychildhoodeducation

     Blog 4

    Literacy is the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential." 
~ Kofi Annan

  

     I had the pleasure of observing and interacting with more closely the parents and children of the Hegewisch Daycare Center.  At first, I was a little nervous about observing and interacting with the children and families.  After doing so, I was glad that I did.  They left such a wonderful impression on me regarding early childhood literacy.  

     The Director, Social Service Worker and Host Teacher, introduced me to the families upon each of their arrival.  Ms. "O" the social service provider shared my reasons for being there.  She then walked me to the toddlers classroom.  There I spoke to one of the parent in this particular classroom.  Ms. "O" informed me of the parent being an advocate for early childhood literacy and how she goes out to the different hospitals and read to children that are less fortunate.  I asked Ms."P" (the parent), "What made her get involved in literacy? and Why?".  Ms. "P" shared her reasons.  She stated that this ha always been an interest to her, because she remembers being read to as a child and having a food foundation that was laid in her early childhood years.  Because of that, it inspired her to give that which was given to her back to those she feels are less fortunate.  She went on to say that doing her early childhood years, she learn from being read to that her ability to focus while being read to helped her to succeed in school.  In addition to that, she is able to identify what reading and writing skills look like and being able to read fluently.  Al of the help me to interact, self regulate, gain ability to focus my attention, socially interact and gain control over my action.  I know that sounds like a lot, but it is true.  Because of that, I felt the need to reach out and give back to others what was given to me.  For me, that was a WOW!!! moment.  I thanked her for her insights and giving me the opportunity to talk with her.  

     Ms. "O" then took me to my home room teacher Ms."S".  She was standing and doing instructional activities with the children.  Ms."S", asked if I wanted to talk to one of the parents in her room;.  I replied yes.  As she was talking, the doorbell ranged.   It was a parent.  I asked if it would be okay to talk to her regarding early childhood literacy.  I shared my reasoning for being at the center.  She welcomed me and sat down to talk.  I asked her, "What are some concerns you have as it relates to early childhood literacy?"  She looked at me and hesitated for a minute or two and then replied.  As a parent, I can see why literacy is not to be taken lightly.  As I watch TV, read different articles as well as in my child's school all I hear is "school readiness".  It is understood, that children must be able to read and write at a level to be successful in today's world.  I'm preparing myself and my child to succeed in school.  I'm teaching my child the sounds of the alphabet to become fluent for reading in the future, because this is a must and it is very important.  I want for my child to be able to make sense and know that letters can be put into words and that words means something.  Words convey meaning.  I want for my child to know and mean what he say.  I want him to make sense out of what it is he is trying to convey as he interacts with others as he exchanges dialogue.  I take it serious and that is why I do a lot of one-to-one correspondence with my child.  This is to equip him to be literate as he learns to read and write.  This was another WOW!!! moment for me.  I was so amazed with the response I got from the conversation with the parents.  I wasn't expecting her to be as detailed and in depth as she were.  I walked away feeling so enlighten with the thoughts and response I gained from the parents about the way they felt about early childhood literacy.  From the beginning of the conversation to the end, I have gained another level of respect for parents and their thoughts.  

     Observing and interacting with parents that close, I had the opportunity to learn and gain insights that they to have a voice and that their voice needs to be heard.  As an advocate, they to are advocating for their children and their children's needs.  They care about empowering themselves and the future of their children as it relates to literacy.  

Blog No. 3 ECE 450

     I had the pleasure of observing and interacting with the Program Director and other Administrative Staff at the Henry Booth House Hegewisch Staff for the last several weeks. 

     I spoke with Ms. D.  She is the Director at the Hegewisch Daycare Center.  I chose to speak with the director first, because I had been communicating with her over the phone and through email.  Ms. D. shared with me how long she had been in the education field for the past fifteen years.  She had received her Bachelor’s Degree from Erik Institute as an Infant/Toddler Specialist.  She is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  She went on to share with me about how long she worked as a teacher in the classroom.  She worked in the classroom for all fifteen years. 

     I went on to share my reason for observing and interacting with her.  I shared my passion as an advocate for children as it relates to early literacy.  I shared with her why I believe early literacy is vital in the lives of children and that it must take place at an early age.  I shared that for the next five weeks I will be researching, observing, and interacting with her and the staff to gain a greater understanding why I believe as well as why others believe early literacy is important in the lives of children.   I went on to say why I’ve chosen this topic.  This is a topic that is not to be overlooked.  It must be addressed.  She agreed and began to share her concerns about early literacy.  She shared that the staff is putting together a “Family Literacy Night” for the children and families they serve.  It will be a way to reach out to parents and parents learn important tip or strategy to use when reading aloud to their children.  She shared that this year they have plans to work hard and involve the parents more.  She invited me out to the event when it is to take place. 

   The second person I spoke to was Ms. As the summer approaches, the children including the infants & toddlers go to the library for story time.  It is a community outreach program provided by the city to incorporate language development through reading. The children walk to the library and walk back.  The babies are pushed in their buggy.  The teachers and staff talks to the children while walking to the library.  They sit to enjoy others reading and not themselves all the time.  At this point in the conversation, I shared that in my research, it stated that early language and literacy (reading and writing) development begins in the first three years of life and is closely linked to a child’s earliest experiences with books and stores.  I asked her do she agree with the findings.  Absolutely I do, she replied.  There is no way of getting around literacy, reading and writing.  In a world that is technology driven, we need to be able to engage proficiently and strategically.  For those reasons alone, I advocate literacy and my passion on behalf of the children and families I come into contact with.  The library is a good resource for use to gain information as well as be informed about advocating on behalf of literacy.  I thanked her for her time and went into the office with Mrs. “O”

     I was greeted by Mrs. “O” upon entering her office.  I introduced myself and shared my reason for coming and interacting with the administrative staff.  Ms. “O” is the Family Service Provider.  She provides services to the children and families.  I asked Mrs. “O”, “What is her intake about advocating early literacy?”  I believe that it should be given much attention to.  As a child to an adult, I struggled with reading.  I could remember how I used to stutter and when the children would laugh, I would get embarrassed.   That stopped me from wanting to read aloud.   I vowed to never read aloud again.  I no longer feel the same.  I strongly want to advocate on behalf of others.  What I could do now as a professional will affect others.  I have now raised my awareness.  Reading while the baby is in the womb can make a world of a difference.  I’m about making a difference in all the areas of learning.  I agree with that.  My first difference would be to empower others on the importance of literacy.  My four year old granddaughter loves to get the book after being read to.  That motivated me to want to read to her.  I don’t want her to be left in the class.   

     I spoke to Ms. “C”.  She is the Educational Coordinator.  She works along side with Mrs. “O”.  She believes that “Early Literacy” is just as equally important in the lives of the children and families they serve.  A big factor to my surprise was that Ms. “C” couldn’t read.  I played reading and writing down.  I would not go into the writing center because one of the children made a mistake.  I would go regardless to the fact because I’m aware of the importance of early literacy.  It sets the tone for emergent reading and how we are to embrace reading with ease.  If a lot of people felt the way you feel, we would have a better world and environment for learning through hands-on experiences.  Literacy starts with the parent.  They are needed and to be treated as such.  Besides reading and writing, there are other ways of learning the importance of early literacy. 

     Insights I’ve gained was that early literacy is vital.  We must not sit around and wait.  We must do something about early literacy and impact the learning environment with an array of materials that would promote early literacy. 

          Sources:  www.zeroto three.org/Brain Wonders/early-language-                literacy/earlyliteracy2pagehandout.pdf.