Reflection Paper

Chapter 2 entails a description of the different contexts for Advocacy and examples of how the advocacy efforts work in various ways. The major uses of the advocacy, as identified, include; developing, improving, and funding policies that result in positive changes for the children and their families. It has several sections that include; advocacy for the individual child and family, for the profession, program based advocacy, private-sector Advocacy, Political Activism, and advocacy in the global arena. The advocacy for children or family results from an identification of an issue or problem by a professional and seeks appropriate support. The advocacy for the profession involves working towards the development, implementation, and funding of policies that seek for the recognition and compensation of the early care workforce to their contribution to the society. The program based advocacy involves working with the early childhood programs to enhance the quality of services and education for the young children and their families. The professionals work together to seek advocacy for the needs of the children. Thus, it shifts from a micro to a macro level form of advocacy. The private sector advocacy entails the use of campaigns that pressure the private sector to establish products and services that support positive child development outcomes. The pressure can be in the form of boycotts or through media. Political activism refers to the taking actions in response to the government programs, policies, and legislation at the local, international, state, or the federal level. The actions seek to oppose any attempts to affect the children and families negatively. The advocacy in the global arena comprises of all the child advocacy programs beyond the borders of United States. The early childhood professionals, all over the world, work together to pressure the governments to enact policies that make the lives of children better.

Correlation of the chapter with previous readings

The information presented in the chapter relates to the previous readings since it shows the importance of advocacy programs. The information reveals the many levels of advocacy that affect the policies made concerning children and their families. There are other issues dealt with that relate to advocacy in the corporate world in the efforts of improving the lives of children.

The new things learned in the chapter

I learned that advocacy for the early childhood programs should start at the personal level and move towards the macro level. It helps to seal all the gaps in advocacy since there is advocacy at the local, state, federal, and the international level. The different contexts of advocacy are also an eye opener to the professionals working with early child care to utilize all the options available in advocacy.

How the information gained help in enhancing my advocacy skills

The information acquired helps to boost my advocacy skills in the programs that aim at developing, improving, or funding policies with positive impact on infants, children, and their families. Also, the information helps me to work with other stakeholders in advocacy in child affairs. It gives a better understanding of the areas to venture in advocacy.

Reflection for Chapter 3

Brief Synopsis

Chapter 3 starts with the ethical guidelines for advocacy practice. According to the Code of Ethical and Statement of Commitment (NAEYC, 2005); teachers have a role of advocacy according to their job expectations. The activities of the professionals should relate to the values, ideals, and principles in the code for effective advocacy. The Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment identifies advocacy as part of the profession responsibilities and has the practices to follow. The other issue discussed is the conditions that require advocacy. The chapter identifies economic hardships as a major issue in the education of the children. The children living in poverty are liable for the risk of developmental delays and other health related issues. The childhood professionals should identify when the families undergo economic hardship and take the necessary actions. The signs of developmental delay identified include autism and attention disorders in the infancy stage. It requires early identification, intervention, and remediation strategies to improve the quality of life and the child functioning. Ethical practice requires accurate and consistent documentation of the development of the child. The professionals should advocate for screening at an early stage as a preventive measure. The ethical guidelines also require the professionals to advocate for the siblings of children with disabling conditions, and suspicion of child abuse and neglect.

Correlation of the chapter with previous readings

Chapter 3 correlates with the information on the previous readings by revealing more information about ethical guidelines in advocacy practice. The previous readings identified that it is necessary for the child advocates to have a code of practice for uniformity and as a guideline.

The new things learned in the chapter

The chapter explains that early childhood professionals have a responsibility of advocacy according t their job expectations. Thus, they require engaging in activities that push for improved child care and education by working with the relevant stakeholders. Another issue is advocacy on issues of disability, child abuse, and neglect. It explains how to detect disability and also child abuse at an early stage.

How the information gained help in enhancing my advocacy skills

The information gained from the chapter helps to enhance my advocacy skills by setting guidelines for effective advocacy interventions. It is important to follow the ethical guidelines for advocacy in the quest for advocacy programs. The information reveals that early childhood professional should speak for the child and family in obtaining resources and services. Thus, I should focus on the advocacy programs that seek to improve the lives of my target population groups.

Reflection for Chapter 4

Brief Synopsis

Chapter four describes how the advocacy strategies manifest in the profession, improve best practices, and engage the private sector in supporting the affairs of children and families. It is essential to have advocacy for the professionals since their work is essential in early childhood and care. The profession has a law status and the personnel get low compensation packages. Advocacy programs create awareness of child quality care and education and also improve the existing programs. The advocacy strategies discussed for the childhood professionals include; joining professional organizations, serving as a community resource, and testifying at public hearings. The advocacy within individual programs entails the efforts of changing certain policies in schools and programs to enhance the use of best practices. The changes can be specific or general depending on the underlying issues. The school board plays an important role in ensuring the success of the individual programs advocacy. Thus, the early childhood professionals should provide updates to the board relating to policies affecting the children and their families. The private sector advocacy entails working closely with businesses to implement policies that enhance the well-being of the children.

Correlation of the chapter with previous readings

The chapter has relating information to the previous course reading in the context of advocacy strategies for the profession, individual practices, and the private sector. As identified previously, the success of early childhood advocacy programs depends on other factors like the welfare of the professionals, the support groups, and the contribution of the private sector. According to the information presented, the early childhood professionals play an important role in child development and education. They require the support of other stakeholders and the private sector in fulfilling the mandate.

The new things learned in the chapter

There are several new things learned from the chapter. First, in advocacy there are crucial practices that ensure the success of the programs. Among them is improving the conditions for the child care professionals and respecting the profession. Also, they can join professional organizations to lobby for better, working conditions. Another important issue learned is the role of school boards in advocacy programs and also how the private sector can assist in advocacy for children affairs.

How the information gained help in enhancing my advocacy skills

The information reveals that I should seek for methods that improve my working conditions as an advocate before venturing into other advocacy programs. Thus, it’s important first to address the needs of the advocates to have the motivation for pushing for the affairs of others. Advocacy also requires strategies that help in improving the outcomes. Besides that, one group cannot be self-sustaining in advocacy and requires the support of other stakeholders and the private sector in meeting the expected demands. Therefore, I require working with others in my advocacy programs to ensure maximum benefits.

Reflection for Chapter five

Brief Synopsis

Chapter five has a review of the federal and state procedures regarding policy development. The first section has a description of the types of policy advocacy. The common types identified are case advocacy, administrative advocacy, legislative advocacy, and the class advocacy. The main role of the types of policy advocacy is attempting to change the public systems to serve better the children and families. The chapter also explains the roles of citizens in policy development. The childhood professionals require assuming the role of an expert, advocate, or a community member. Each of them has distinctive roles in policy development. Every advocate should understand the legislative process applicable in policy development. They need to have knowledge of the branches of government due to their different roles in the law-making process. The legislative arm enacts laws; the executive implements them, and the judicial branch interprets and resolves any conflict between the parties. The understanding of the legislative rules and processes of the state and local government is important for every successful advocate. The stages involved in making a bill to a law are development and introduction, committee referral, floor action, conferencing, and lastly the executive action. The policies made require backing from the decision makers inform of lobbying.

Correlation of the chapter with previous readings

The information presented in Chapter Five is an important indicator of the occurrences in the policy development. It depicts the issues that arise in policy development and the responsibility of advocacy. In the previous course readings, there was clear guideline on policy development that relates to the information presented. Also, the information related to the things that happen in the corporate world especially in law making.

The new things learnt in the chapter

Chapter five reveals of the procedures involved policy development as important aspects in advocacy. Among the new issues presented is the detailed explanation of the types of policy advocacy. The roles of citizens in policy development as experts, advocates, and community members are new information. The chapter also shed more light on the methods of influencing a decision regarding policy making by use of proper lobbying strategies.

How the information gained help in enhancing my advocacy skills

The information acquired from the chapter is paramount in advocacy. It helps in developing policies that have all the provisions in the Federal and State laws. Also, chapter five provides information on what I require in pushing for a particular policy implementation as an advocate. It is essential for the advocates to have a clear guideline on the law making the process to enhance their advocacy campaigns. The chapter also has the roles of advocates in policy making and describes the effective strategies for lobbying for support of their advocacy programs. As an advocate, I need to lobby for support from the legislature and other influential groups in making regulations governing the rights of my target population groups.

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at Melda Research in professional writing services if you need a similar paper you can place your order for a custom research paper from writing services online.

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