My Role as an Advocate

• What motivated you to start advocating for very young children?

During my first year as an undergraduate practicum student in the ECE program at the University of Delaware, I became exposed to some of the most passionate educators and advocates I have since come in contact with. The teachers at the Lab School were (and still are) models of positive force in the field. I watched as these teachers shared their passion for the field in the early childhood classroom, in the undergraduate classroom, and out in their communities. They shared with me how meaningful their work was on a multitude of levels. From that semester on, I became a member of the Student Association for the Education of Young Children, working on my free time to head out into my community and support young children and their families. Through my earliest volunteer work, I found just how many levels of support go into successful ECE models, and how easy (as in natural to speak out on behalf of something that is so pure, full of life, and promising), fulfilling, and vast the work of an advocate is. 

• Why is it essential to acknowledge and foster advocacy efforts at the micro as well as the macro level?

Every. Bit. Helps. No matter what population, what location, or what device an advocate uses in order to execute their efforts, their voice can make an impact at both micro and macro levels.

• What does it take to be a community leader on early childhood issues?

A community leader on early education requires one to be willing to reach out to everyone. No effort is too small, and no community is not worth reaching. A community leader must be able to understand the development process of building policies, straight down to the beginning stages of compiling meaningful research. Community leaders must understand the immediate and future needs of their constituents, placing value on all issues, regardless of the personal connection he/she may have to it. 

• What resources does it take to be a state leader on early childhood issues?

State leaders on early childhood issues must understand the vast needs and implications of child development. They must understand the vast sub-populations within their states, from incarcerated parents, to parents in high-powered, high-SES positions. State leaders must be able to link together all professionals that are involved in supporting children and families in ways that are meaningful to the common goals at hand. They must also be willing to collaborate across state lines in order to find the most effect tactics to combatting pressing issues.

• What tactics or strategies do you use to mobilize others?

Shared information is one of the most effective strategies used to mobilize others. In order to effectively share information, though, one must be able to present it in a wide range of presentations. Different populations respond to different forms to campaigns, be it written, face-to-face, or visually represented through graphs, statistics, and general research. Linking individual stakeholders together by expressing to them their shared interests across issues and across communities must take place before action can occur. 

• What advice would you give to someone who was interested in taking a leadership role in advocating for young children and their families?

Something I would implore a potential advocate for children and families to do is to get to know the population(s) who they are speaking on behalf of. It is one thing to read the research, but it is totally different to show your face. In the field of early care and education, we strongly believe in the power of relationship. The best way for change to occur, is to build a team to support the actions that must ensue. I would suggest taking time to build meaningful relationships not just with the families and children that would be affected by your proposed policies, but to also get to know all parties involved (i.e. professionals in the field that would be affected by policy, or could provide meanigful suggestions or feedback to join in your efforts).