As I was looking over the Division for Early Childhood's home page I read through the latest under the "What's New" heading. I followed the link and read the paper titled "DEC Comments on Race to the Top". The comments were written by the President of the DEC, Kristie Pretti-Frontczak and Executive Director of the DEC, Sarah Mulligan. The part of the paper that I would like to emphasize stated "While DEC strongly supports the emphasis on engaging and supporting families as a selection criterion we recommend that the final package emphasize not only what early learning systems provide “to” families but how systems partner “with” families. Family engagement is a core element to the success of this initiative and states should be directed to emphasize the role of parents and family members.
DEC notes that many infants and toddlers do not participate in group or program settings in their community. Infants and toddlers receiving early intervention services may receive those services in their home, a family member’s home or in a family child care setting. The application package should be reviewed and revised consistent with this reality to be sure that the home environment is appropriately addressed in this investment. This is particularly true for the existing component of a “State’s Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System” that seems to more closely align to group or program settings" (Pretti-Frontczak & Mulligan, 2011, pp. 1-2).
The reason I pulled this part of the statement out was because I was impressed with the wording around provided services WITH families. I agree that families must be a part of the early intervention services provided for their children. I believe early intervention is a partnership. It truly does take a village! I was also excited to see the wording around making sure the application package was revised to include settings where infants and toddlers receive their early intervention. There are a limited amount of spaces available in early head start sites. Many children receive intervention services through child care centers, family child cares or at home through Help Me Grow. Creating wording to require these services to be covered too will create more assistance for more children. I think that is very important.
The more I explore this site the more I see how the DEC is working on equity in the early care and education field. They are committed to creating awareness around early intervention, advocating for services for children and families and making the public aware of the services that are available and the ones that will be available in the future. I feel all early childhood professionals should join the Council for Exceptional Children and the Division For Early Childhood so they can keep up-to-date on developments around services for children with special needs.
References
The DEC website: http://www.dec-sped.org/index.aspx
Pretti-Frotczak, K., & Mulligan, S., (2011). DEC comments on race to the top http://www.dec-sped.org/uploads/docs/policy_advocacy/recent_activities/DECRtoTopELComments%20Final[1].pdf
Thank you Amy for sharing this information and I agree that family involvement does make a world of difference. It is through family participation that where learning is one of the most accurate predictors of a child’s success in school and throughout life. Children love when their parents show an interest in their learning by valuing what they do.
ReplyDeleteThis does make sense, Amy.
ReplyDeleteEven if infants and toddlers are in some sort of care there first and most important time will be with the parents. Best to inform them and involve them at the first. The earlier and most effectively we can intervene in children's lives that are at risk the better.
Thanks for this information.
Bobbie
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI agree whole heartedly that families should be a part of their child's early intervention process. I've worked in an inclusive childcare setting for over 6 years. I was a preschool teacher and had children from many different backgrounds and many different abilities. I encouraged families the best I knew how to stay involved with their child's progress, relaying information from therapists and updating them on their child's participation in the classroom. They always enjoyed hearing these things and took the strategies home to use that we suggested in the classroom. Their participation was an overwhelming contribution to the success of their child and their child's participation in the classroom.
Amy
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned the old African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child". Last year, one of my coworkers strongly disagreed with this concept of shared responsibility for children. How would you respond to this coworker, after completing this week's assignment?
Parents input is an important part of children education. As an second grade assistant it makes all the different in the world when parents participate in their children education. Not only does it help the teacher it excites the children to see their parent come and check on their progress.
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