Early childhood product

RC004_SC3_GuidedNotes.docx

Home >Education homework help >Early childhood product

Guided Notes

Developing Initiatives

Developing advocacy initiatives begins with getting involved. One of the most important things you can do as an early childhood professional is to join professional organizations. These organizations can serve as a forum to meet with others and exchange ideas, as well as provide an opportunity to connect with others on issues that are important to you. As well, professional organizations provide opportunities to potentially serve in leadership positions and participate in campaigns designed around important advocacy issues.

Early childhood professionals can also provide an important voice through serving as a community resource in a variety of different capacities. Sharing your voice as a professional throughout the community through planning, contributing to public forums, and advocacy is an important way to connect. Community advocacy also includes connecting within the private sector, where organizations can work to develop family-friendly policies and support access to high-quality early childhood education services for all families.

Initiatives are also born through the advocacy that takes place within our early childhood programs. Often, programs require additional resources or are impacted by existing policies. Many individuals within programs share similar challenges and collaborate around particular issues.

A key component of developing initiatives requires being aware of what is happening within your community and being an involved and informed participant.

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