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.