I've worked for the Head Start Program for over ten years, and it is why I believe that everything starts from the preschool years. The children that attend a high-quality preschool, are more successful in kindergarten and beyond, compared to those that did not attended preschool or attended a school that was not of a great education quality.
The policies for the preschool programs are not the same for all. Head Start is a Federal Funded program, therefore the rules and regulations are not the same as the private daycares or preschools. I feel that since many researches have shown that this a very critical time for the children, the regulations for all programs should be the same. This will create an equal opportunity for all children. We can also create a preschool program for all elementary schools. If this is not a choice all Counties should support the Head Start programs in their communities.
At this point in our society more than 75% of children over the age of three are receiving care from other than a parent and out of those more than 50% are in a program. We should measure all programs education quality. As we measure, we can structure the preschools around our Country.
This will take observations of how the current programs available work at this time. This observations can be based on the qualifications of the teaching staff, the child teacher interaction, environment, instruction and curriculum, health, routines and interactions with parents and families. Many other factors are also part of a great program, but this are some of the examples of what we look in a good quality program.
When all this things are observed in a program, children have a better learning experience and a great development in different areas, like language, social skills, math and many more.
The programs should be part of the free education program. If it is a critical time for the children, why only the parents that have money can afford a great program, versus the low income families that the children end up in a daycare program where education is not a priority, with minimum wage workers, that have a minimum of three months of training and no prior experience. WE should make great quality preschools available to all.
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You have a pretty full plate to manage and you do a great job. Thank you for this information about funded programs, children, and preschool choices.
ReplyDeleteIt would be more uniformed having the preschool, Head Start Program, and private daycares to follow the same guidelines and policies and procedures. The parents are preoccupied thinking at work about their child's safety and what milestones they are missing. It has become for most couples that both parents work full-time jobs. I remember working full-time during the day, going to school a couple nights; my baby's Father working during the day full-time. Then, I found a night full-time job and that way we both knew the parents cared for our infant Daughter 24 hours a day. That is what many parents are doing to make ends meet and have knowledge that their children are safe.
When I studied the read, re-read, and repeat method to improve fluency, there are signs to look for success in a child. Children anticipate from history what will happen in step order. When they use their memory to work out the words in their book, that is another sign they are reading with expression. It is great how children want to read a story for themselves, to hear it in their own voices will reduce the pronunciation errors (Coats, 2013).
I agree that all of The United States can make the difference in all of the children's educational future.
References
Coats, K. (2013). Children's literature & the developing reader. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. This text is a Constellation course digital materials (CDM) title.
You both very valid points and I agree that preschool should not only be mandated, but also free. Preschools across the country should follow the same mandates.If children are going to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) it should begin during their most crucial fundamental years. Studies show that what impacts children between birth and age 5 will affect how they perform in school and throughout life. Preschool is the best way to get children on the road of learning to love learning. It must be taught from the very beginning of their life.
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