Early Literacy and support

"Never be afraid to raise you voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world....would do this, it would change the earth." ~William Faulkner


I have taken courses and have done speeches on other subjects and topics that were only informative never where I have to take charge and get others to support me or my idea. I have always found ways to have opening statements, have accurate materials and presentations. In this case, I have no idea how to begin. Where do I start? What do I say? How do I open up my statement? These questions and much more go through my mind. What is the best way to approach this audience where I will get their full attention from the start and not lost them through my opening statement? I think and feel that when advocating for something it is always to walk in with a positive attitude. While at the same time I think going in full blown serious so they know how important this is. I really am unsure of how to open up my presentation. I know once I have that stabled then everything else will come naturally. I have presented this idea in front of others that I know so it was easier for me but how do I go about in front of others that I do not know.

One thing I am wondering and seeking to get the help with is where can I find information on budget. My topic is about Early Literacy. I have ideas for a fun after school program, once a week, where families and children can come in and read books, play games, work on word puzzles, and much more. I also thought maybe the parents can volunteer since teachers cannot and will not do volunteer work for many reasons. One main reason is the fact that they are already overwhelmed with their own work for their classroom. So I figured each teacher can ask for parent volunteers where they can train the parents. But the idea of budget comes in because when will they train them and how will the teachers who are training get paid? Another issue I have is since and administrator has to be on school proprieties when parents are present, how I can help them get paid when schools budget is so tight. Where can I find this type of information that will help me with the audiences questions and concerns.

One thing that I found that was very helpful is presenting this in front of people you may know or even talking to them about it because then they help you bring in any other ideas, or raise question you may have skipped. So my personal information and resources or even you own personal is the best helpful and insightful resources. Practicing it in front of audiences you more comfortable with will help bring in more insights to your advocacy plan that will be more clear to your real audience and you can walk in confident knowing you have many ideas, and answers. 


http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show_tag?id=advocacy

My Advocacy on Early Literacy

“I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” ~ Helen Keller

“You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing there will be no results.” ~ Gandhi

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” ~ Helen Keller

One thing that inspires and excites me the most about being an advocate is the changes I can bring forth that will impact children and their families. These changes are effective in bringing together the child and his/her parent(s) in interacting together and strengthening the child’s early literacy development. This is done through creating a learning environment between the two within the school library. Having a chance to be able to express my feelings, thoughts and concerns will lead to benefits that will help children in their future education. Allowing families to see and understand the importance of early literacy will help them in creating a positive learning environment. Families will also then encourage their children to get more involved in literacy. Literacy is not only reading and writing. It is also the development of their vocabulary, cognitive development, their letter knowledge and building onto their imagination and much more. By being an advocate towards this topic it will help others see and create a positive opportunity for parents to teach their children the importance of early literacy. I am also hoping that this will push educators, administrators as well as families to support their children with early literacy.

There are a few challenges that I feel I may run into during my advocacy effort. One challenge would be the audience not seeing why this change is needed and what benefits the children will gain from it. I also fear that parents will say that they may not have time to accept the opportunity given to them to attend to literacy time at the library with their child; due to work and other everyday aspects of their life. Another challenge is the audience may not understand why this change is crucial or the benefits children, as well as their families, will gain from it. Furthermore, the parents will underestimate the use of the library because they may think that doing it at home will result with the same outcome. A final challenge is having to freeze when I present my plan in-front of an audience. I tend to get nervous and forget half of what I was to present.

For my plan to be effective I need to present it with a positive attitude. I need to stand in-front of the audience and give them reasons as to why this plan is important. I need to give these reasons with confidence, a positive tone and not show fear. In addition, I also need to have positive energy within the room by creating it. Also, by getting the audience to interact with one another, and provide feedback which will open a path to new ideas and perspectives. Another thing I need to do for my plan to be effective is to be prepared. I need to make sure all the information and materials gathered are appropriate to the topic and provides many great reasoning’s as to why this change is important. I need to make sure that these materials are presented with a clear understanding to the audience. I need to make sure I take my time and express the importance of my plan. In addition, since I have the fear of presentation, I should practice the presentation in-front of a group of people to be able to build confidence within myself.

My advice to others is that once your heart and goal is set to something, pursue it. There may be obstacles you may face but if you fall pick yourself back up and pursue what you believe in. As an advocate, you can make a difference in many ways. One and simple easy way is just by getting others to see your perspective and standing up for what you believe in, as well as providing positive reasoning’s as to why you believe this. Making sure you have solid facts and good rebuttal will make others more interested in what you are advocating for. By having positive and accurate reasoning’s you may even change the way others may look at your goal.

Any and all feedbacks would be greatly appreciated at this time.

Early Literacy

The topic that I chose for this course is early literacy. One part of education that is very important to a childs development is literacy. Literacy does not only mean reading and writing but it also includes vocabulary, print motivation, narrative skills and letter knowledge. Reading to children is not only the best things that can motivate language and cognitive development. It will also help children build onto their motivation, curiosity as well as their imagination.