Interviewing Two Professionals in Early Childhood Care and
Education
I interviewed two family support workers from Onward
House. Each family support worker has
their own field. The first person I interviewed is
the family support worker for the two year old's
and the second family support worker I interviewed
is the family support worker for three to five
year old's. I informed the two family support workers
that I am thinking of focusing my research
paper on Obesity and I would like to interview them
because I would like to know what are their
views and perspective towards Obesity in young
children.
The insights I gained from the interviews in regard
to Obesity was surprising because I
realized that many families are actually in denial.
The two family support workers informed me
that this is an issue with families because many
families don’t think their child is overweight.
They both said that this is an issue that they are
concerned with due to the fact that most of the
families that are enrolled in the program are single
parents and they work long hours. Both
family support workers are trying their best to
advocate towards this matter because the
percentage of overweight children in the program is
high. These two professionals are
concentrating on working with parents and are going
to start providing workshops in regard to
heath, and nutrition. They are focusing on weight
management plans, health, and nutrition
workshops as well. They informed me that the tool
they use is simple but consistent because they
weigh the children every three months. Both family
workers develop a plan to follow up the
child’s weight. This plan is to help families reduce
the quantity of food their children eat and also
reduce the juice, soda, and junk food intake.
The insights I gained from the interviews regarding
current advocacy efforts and needs in obesity
is that families feed their children what they want
to eat. Both family support workers are
advocating towards healthy foods in the program and
in the families homes. The program is no
longer serving juice, and the children are drinking
1% milk. The program is also working on
providing healthier snacks, such as more natural
fruits, and drinking more water. Another
insight I gained from my interviews in regard to my
area of interest is that the majority of the
children that are enrolled in the program are
overweight because families are providing fast food
and they eat big quantities.
These interviews influenced my decision about which
area of interest and topics to choose for
my research paper. I knew I wanted to do my research
paper on obesity because I worked with
children and I believe this is becoming an issue. The
children who are overweight don’t want to
do much, they just want to sit and play all day. I
personally have a child in my classroom that is
overweight and I have a hard time with him every day
especially when we go for our
neighborhood walks. This child just don’t want to
walk; he throws himself on the ground
refusing to walk.
The areas of interest I’m thinking of focusing are
the importance of eating healthy food, making
changes in the life style, which can be more
physical activities, and reduced recreational screen
time. The three specific topics I will focus on are
health consequences, diabetes, high blood
pressure, and asthma. I will focus on these specific
illnesses because they can be fatal. I believe
families need to know that children who are
overweight are in danger of these illnesses and they
need to start being responsible and make changes on
their lives styles. The reason I chose these
three topics is because many families think their
children are cute because they are overweight
and they think that if they are overweight they are
healthy. I strongly believe parent’s
need to be
educated on the importance of healthy eating, and
physical activities.
References
Fernandez, H. (2012, April 16). Family support Worker
for Three to Five. (L. E. Flores, Interviewer)
Martinez, J. (2012, April 13 ). Family Support Worker
for two year old's. (L. E. Flores, Interviewer)
You are working on a great focus because this is something that is national. Even the First Lady Obama is on the same campaign to fight childhood obesity. I think that family awareness is the key because after all they are the ones who will have to make sure their children are eating right. Also a little of the responsibility falls on the schools, daycare, and other programs that children are in for a meal service. I have been working with at risk children for a while and I see their eating habits and I strive to make a change.
ReplyDeleteWhen you give children the tools at a young age, it is possible that they will become health conscious adults, and they will lead this choice into their families and so on. I think that you made a great point when you mentioned single parent households because that has been an issue because in the minds quick food is all they have time for. Time management should be part of the solution as well as healthy eating and exercise. A family that gets healthy together will be happier together. Great Post & Good luck!!
Thank you Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. This is great, you pointed something important like you said, when families give the tools at a young age, it is possible that they will become health conscious adults. Great point. I think this is a great topic as well, not only because is becoming an issue but because it is important for families to understand that being overweight is not cute. I strongly believe families need more information about obesity. Children who are fighting obesity now can grow up fighting health illnesses.
This topic hits really close to home for me and I think it is an excellent and relevant topic. I have some websites I can give you from some trainings I have been to through I'm Moving I'm Learning and Head Start Body Start. I will post them within the next few days. I really believe a critical component is reaching families. The websites I will post for you offer a multitude of free resources parents can access and we can send home for them. WE all know a child's health impacts their ability to function in the classroom. Socio-economic status is a factor and families need to see that eating healthy is possible even when receiving subsidies for food. It all comes back to education about the importance of physical activity and eating well.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very important topic. Obesity is a major problem, and I think we should have more advocates for this topic. The number one audience to have jump on board, would be the families of the children. I think that if more families had more knowledge of the proper nutrition and exercise a child should have, and the consequences of a child's poor health, they would do more to support this topic.
ReplyDeleteLuz
ReplyDeleteI am shocked that this facility actually has kids on a 'weight' program where they weigh the kids! Wow! I had a child that was slightly overweight and if that would have happened to him at the school it would have been worse. We worked on his weight issue his whole life and finally in high school when he wrestled he was able to control his weight. I agree that we do have a problem in this country with childhood obesity and we need to do something about it. I think there are a lot of programs that are starting to implement 'healthy' eating habits and exercise into the curriculum.
Sisie