My Role as an Advocate

What motivated you to start advocating for very young children?

My motivation was driven by my stepdaughter coming to live with her father and me. I suddenly found myself a full-time mom, worrying about issues like her education. I wanted to be an advocate for her, as well as other children, to ensure they were receiving the best services possible.

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

I think that the micro and macro level are intertwined, with one always affecting the other. Advocacy efforts at the micro level can lead to changes at the macro level and vice versa. For example, a parent could find out that their child's school does not have the services to meet the child's needs. At the micro level, we're dealing with one child, but at the macro level, hundred of children all across the nation might be experiencing the same shortfall. We may be able to provide a temporary fix at the micro level, but a long-term macro level solution is still needed.

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

To be a community leader, one should be open to different ideas and opinions, collaborate with other people and organizations, be accessible, driven, and committed, and should be passionate about identifying early childhood issues and providing solutions.

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

To be a state leader, one should have a thorough understanding of the early childhood strands and foster relationships with other leaders in the early childhood community. State leaders should also understand how to best manage resources to fund services, work with private organizations to solicit donations, and seek out professional development opportunities.

What tactics or strategies do you use to mobilize others?

I mobilize others through passion and research. I back everything up with examples and sources to support what I am advocating for, while also passionately arguing its importance. I also try to make the topic personal to them, so they can better understand how this could or would impact them.

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

I would first tell them that at some point, they will experience setbacks and failures, and that it's normal and understandable to feel frustrated or defeated. That being said, the rewards of advocacy far outweigh these setbacks. I would encourage them to remember who they are advocating for and why their work is important to so many stakeholders. I would advise them to work with organizations in their community, participate in workshops, and take advantage of professional development opportunities. They should research current trends in early childhood education, looks for issues or gaps in research, and try to find solutions. I would also encourage them to speak with family members and friends with young children to try and mobilize them as advocates, as well.