Interacting with professionals Charla Holley

Observing and Interacting With Professionals, Children, and Families in an Early Childhood Setting

Name: Charla Holley

Date: October 22, 2012

Name of Program/Setting: Head Start

Who I spoke with: Ms.Colett

What I learned about … I learned about Head Start Curriculum, Fire Safety Drills and about making Play dough.  The Curriculum that is use at the site is the Creative Curriculum.

Two insights, experiences, or quotes that I will share in my blog this week…

 Ms.Colett said that the curriculum has changed from last year. She does not like the way Creative Curriculum is set-up. She feels that the lessons have too many parts and components to them. I saw her struggling to connect all the different parts together. The lesson was about small, medium and large. She used the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to teach the concept. It was hard to get the idea across because the children are use to Mama, Papa and Baby Bear. The children never looked at the bears as small, medium, and large. Ms. Colett said “I wish we could go back to the old curriculum.”

Another experience was getting to help with a bus fire drill. Mr. Hobbs from the main Head Start center came to the Langley site to teach the children about get off the bus if a fire happened. I helped the children to get out of the back of the bus during the drill. This was the first time I ever did a bus fire drill. Half of the children were suppose to get off the front of the bus and half were  suppose to get off the back, but during the drill most of the children when out the back. It was confusing but fun at the same time.

EDU 411 Interview Blog 1 Cholley

I interviewed Allica Coleman a Site Director and Head Teacher in Escambia Co. Head Start. She has worked for Head start for thirteen years. During the interview we discussed advocacy groups on the national and local level. Ms. Coleman is a member of NAEYC. NAEYC is a national group that advocates for young children. I was told that on the local level she works   closely with the Family Advocates that work at Head Start.  The Family Advocates help families in the program to get the help and services they need. Ms. Coleman feels that parents not volunteering in the classroom and the lack of male involvement are her biggest concerns and the biggest challenge she faces in her classroom.  I also talked to Mary Wright at third grade teacher. Mrs. Wright feels that student do not have enough time for subjects like social studies. Try to give her student a well rounded education is her biggest challenge.

I was at one time a Family Support Worker for A program called Healthy Families. My job was somewhat similar to what a Family Advocate does in Head Start. I feel family advocacy is an area of interest to me. I wonder if male involvement with pre-k programs has been shown to make a different in the long term outcomes of children.  One related topic is Head Start long term outcomes. Another related topic is the affects of two parent households on academic success. The last related topic I came up with is are the family advocates making a difference in the lives of the families they serve.

 I may have missed the boat so to speak with my topics. I am not trying to attack Head Start. I feel Head Start is a great program. Head Start is one of the first national early childhood programs. (www.cwla.org/advocacy/headstart.htm) I hope my colleagues do not feel I am attacking this program.

 Works Cited

Allica Coleman a Site Director and Head Teacher in Escambia Co. Head Start, Interview.

Mary Wright Escambia Co. Schools Third Grade Teacher, Interview.

                          (www.cwla.org/advocacy/headstart.htm)

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