While watching
the video in class about the Harlem Children’s zone, I became very interested
in the Baby College program. Over the course of nine weeks, Harlem parents
(expecting or not) and even their kids who are up to three years old can attend
a workshop and then graduate the Baby College. For the children, they can see
what school is like before they attend pre-kindergarten class. Their parents
are offered a wide spectrum of classes where they can learn how to care,
educate, and discipline their children. I read an article on Baby College (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/harlem-children-zone-baby-college-teaches-local-parents-best-raise-children-start-article-1.1019190) and in it couples had realized that in order to
educate their children, they had to first educate themselves. By taking these classes,
parents become informed on so many topics including but not limited to child
wellness, immunizations, brain development, pre-natal classes, Head Start
classes, abuse, and ways to discipline. Parents living in the Central Harlem
area are recruited by Baby College outreach workers. Every day, these workers
go to homes, city and private buildings, local hospitals, Laundromats, and
stores to tell parents about the program. They ask parents if they are
interested in finding out new concepts on parenting and remind them that this
is not they city saying they are horrible parents or that they have to come.
What I like most about the Baby College is their guiding principal that the
parent is the expert of their own child. No matter what knowledge the parent
comes into the classes with, they are welcome to share their parenting
experiences. This really shows how communities can join together, respect, and
support each other for the sake of their children’s futures. I think Baby
College helps parents to be the best parents they can be and we should have
more programs similar to Baby College. As Omar Gibbs said in the article, “The whole world should be like Baby College. Everybody
should have the opportunity for a better life.”
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this article because although I had known about the Harlem Zones schools, I never knew there was a Baby College program. I think this program is awesome and is doing great things for families and the community. I liked the comment in the article from a parent that said she was able to meet people she lived next door to that she had never seen before. I think this program is building a stronger community while educating parents, and introducing the importance of education to very young children. I strongly believe in intervening at a young age which is why I'm focusing on youth development. I wish more programs like this existed everywhere.
ReplyDelete