Final Reflections of the EDUC 8853 course
I thought this course was going to mirror the course I teach at the undergraduate level. What I learned was that this course focused on culture and society as they relate to early childhood and families.
The course I teach focuses on the family and how the early childhood educator can support the development of the child and the family.
The book 'A Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" was an eye-opener for me. I have heard of language barriers effecting families, but not to the extent that the Lee family was affected. Their daughter suffered from traumatic brain damage from seizures because the parents and doctors were unable to communicate.
The major project topic I chose was due to conversations I was having with my coworkers. Two woman I work with have infants. They were trying to find child care. The struggles these two families went through got me thinking about how other families choose child care. What I found through the research and interviews was incredible. The families I interviewed supported what I found in the research. Families choose child care based on location, cost and the recommendation from trusted friends and family members.
Once a family has found child care they are happy with, families will drive out of their way to stay with those providers.
Another piece of new information I found through this research was that government subsidies are available to families, but the money doesn't cover the cost for high quality.
I have enjoyed learning from my classmates through the discussions. We seem to have similar experiences from around the country. It says to me that families, children and child care providers all over share the same joys, stressors, and frustrations.
