Frederick Douglass has been quoted as saying, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” In early childhood education, we focus on children. Our roles are important not only to children, but to families, society, and the future. When children enter this world, they are born into a situation. The situation may be favorable or unfavorable. Regardless of the situation and experiences children encounter, early childhood advocates must work to help children reach their full potential. Several different scenarios can occur that can determine a situation as favorable or unfavorable, and it may even depend on who is looking at the situation. One type of situation that can be viewed as unfavorable is a child born into poverty.
For this class project, I have chosen to delve into the challenge of poverty and the effects in early childhood. I have chosen this topic due to my experiences teaching in a school that was considered to have a high level of poverty. I believe that working with children and families living in poverty takes individuals who are understanding, sensitive, and non-judgmental. I believe poverty is a cycle that is hard to break, and I believe early childhood educators have a societal responsibility to best prepare children regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Some questions I hope to answer through this project are:
What steps can be taken in communities to help break the cycle of poverty?
How do families’ views and experiences with education affect their socioeconomic status?
Should teachers use different strategies when teaching children from poverty, and if so, what would those strategies look like?
Frederick Douglass has been quoted as saying, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” In early childhood education, we focus on children. Our roles are important not only to children, but to families, society, and the future. When children enter this world, they are born into a situation. The situation may be favorable or unfavorable. Regardless of the situation and experiences children encounter, early childhood advocates must work to help children reach their full potential. Several different scenarios can occur that can determine a situation as favorable or unfavorable, and it may even depend on who is looking at the situation. One type of situation that can be viewed as unfavorable is a child born into poverty.
For this class project, I have chosen to delve into the challenge of poverty and the effects in early childhood. I have chosen this topic due to my experiences teaching in a school that was considered to have a high level of poverty. I believe that working with children and families living in poverty takes individuals who are understanding, sensitive, and non-judgmental. I believe poverty is a cycle that is hard to break, and I believe early childhood educators have a societal responsibility to best prepare children regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Some questions I hope to answer through this project are:
What steps can be taken in communities to help break the cycle of poverty?
How do families’ views and experiences with education affect their socioeconomic status?
Should teachers use different strategies when teaching children from poverty, and if so, what would those strategies look like?