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This week I am doing my field work at Johnson County Head Start. I am really enjoying my time there. The center director, Mrs. Waters, enlightened me on how she could promote advocacy in head start and the community. Waters stated that she and her staff have partnership meetings with local hospital boards and health consultants. She also said that she informs these partnerships about head start’s agenda. This information is published in newspapers and fundraisers. Waters stated that she obtains more information about promote advocacy and community interaction by searching the web. In order to make a difference in head start Waters stated that she wishes the community will stop looking at head start as a low-income daycare center; and realize that it is the foundation of starting a child’s future.

I interviewed the teachers Lewis and Johnson this week. Their classroom consisted of three and four year olds. Most of the children were very independent. I was surprised at the parents who came in to help with their children’s activities. Lewis stated that the children whose parents volunteer are more advanced and well behaved than the other four year olds. On Thursday the children had field day at Johnson County Primary School. There were so many parents there I could not believe my eyes. We had so much fun at the field day outing.

There were not any challenges this week; only insights on parent involvement. Johnson had prepared Mother’s and Father’s Day activities for this week. Some parents came in to assist in the activities. Lewis stated that she was amazed at how her parents had started participating. I had a wonderful time interacting with the parents and the children. I asked some parents who they feel about head start. They all had the same opinion; they felt that it teaches their child/children the fundamentals to be on task for kindergarten. I also asked them what they like about volunteering at head start. They stated the curriculum, which is based on Curriculum Gold. I could tell that the teachers and the parents had a good relationship. How many parents are familiar with the term “Curriculum Gold”?

Posted 1 week ago by LaTonia Brantley