“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.
Aren't similar programs already offered at the local library? How will yours be different and how will you overcome your challenges?
ReplyDeleteI agree that not all parents know the importance or literacy. I once read that children should be read to or read 7 to 10 books a day. When I gave this information to parents at a parent night they were all shocked. Although, if you think about it, teachers read to the students at least 5 books a day so there is not much left for the parents to read at night. I think that have a have a place for parents to get more information at the school's library is great, although Prof McDevitt has a good point, will this be any different then what they offer at the public libraries?
DeleteYes similar programs are already offered at the local library. The way mine will be different is that it would be less structured. For example, when students go to the public library they have to stay quite. They cannot do as they please; it is a more structured environment. More so like a school setting. Having to sit in a structured classroom all day, children will not want to come back to the same thing. They would want to come back to excitement and enjoy themselves. Having this program within the school library would be very different. This would not be any regular come and read, check books out and then go home. NO. This would be more of a fun learning environment. For example, the children will have an opportunity to learn through activities such as puppet shows. This is where the parent and child read a book together and then create a puppet show for others to watch. There will be games as well as other activities set up on tables. There will be an area where student and parent/family member can group up with other parent and child and then create a charades game. This will also be based on a curriculum for the month and at the end of the month the children who have sign up or attend will receive a reward; such as a book pertaining to that curriculum or subject/topic. This way the students are having fun while at the same time learning. In addition, having it held at the school will allow parents to feel more comfortable and connected to the school. This is because schools do not really have many activities for parents to come and join and get connected with school and its staff.
ReplyDeleteMaking sure that all materials, resources, and presentation is all accurate and coherent. Providing accurate and standard facts about the importance of literacy and how this program can help families and children get together will make me feel more confident and help me overcome my challenges. As far as me freezing during presentation is something I would have to tell myself not do during presentation.
Even though teachers read books to students it is still not enough. It is more structured (as stated above) than enjoyable. Having this plan created and put into place will make reading more enjoyable. We want these students to be exposed to various types of literacy as well as various types of setting where they can enjoy literacy. The more they read the better their development of vocabulary will be, their letter and word knowledge will be, and their cognitive development.
I feel that most of us are driven by the possibility of change and that's what excites us. We live this day in and day out and we see what needs to happen to benefit the children and improve their learning.
ReplyDeleteI am also focusing on early literacy. I totally understand the importance of parental involvement when it comes to promoting early literacy skills.
I agree that presenting with a positive attitude will help you. When you are confident, others will be more inclined to listen to what you have to say. If you go up there and are timid or unprepared you will most likely not get any response from your audience.