Blog Journal Module: 4

During this module I had the opportunity to interact with different colleagues and professionals within the field. I poke with a teacher who has her Master's in Education. Ms. T.W. teaches 3 to 5 years old. I had the opportunity to ask her questions in regards to the field and about childhood obesity. Ms. T.W. believes children who are overweight or obese are that way because families don't realizable that  being overweight or obese is very dangerous for children health. Ms. T.W. believes that professionals can support families to learn about childhood obesity by encouraging parents to volunteer in the classroom. She believes parents should participate in the classroom not only observe but to participate in preparing nutritious meals with their children. Ms. T.W. believes teachers can do activities relating to the food pyramid and read or ask parent to read books relating to healthy nutrition.


Ms. T.W. strongly believes  professionals need to know how to approach parents about childhood obesity. Parents might think they are being attacked and they might feel they are bad role models. She said that "the key is to be discreet" because some professionals are not sensitive or the way they talk to parents or children about their weight or eating habits. Ms.T.W. said it is important to allow children to participate in activities that interest them, even though children that are obese find it difficult to run and climb. If they would just do some sort of activity for one hour 3 to 4 days a week they would have less chances to become obese. It is important to let children be themselves don't push them to do activities that might hurt them, but continue to encourage them to participate but follow their lead. 


After talking to colleagues and other professionals within the field I learned that it is important to involve parent in the classroom. I learned different strategies to involve parents in the classroom such as sending a letter home inviting parents to participate in our weekly Food Experience and sending home a letter about the activities children do during the week. I also learned that classroom participation is critical for parent. If you don't know what is going on in your child's classroom than you know your child. After talking to different professionals and other teachers I gained knowledge on how to incorporate different activities and invite parents to participate in the classroom.


The insights I gained from observing, interacting with professionals, teachers, and families is that teachers can develop relationships with parent and other professionals to work as team. By developing a relationship with parent allow teachers to help children in a productive manner. Another insight I gained from observing and interacting with different professionals within the field is that parents can be part of teaching their children about childhood obesity by reading books, cooking home cooked meals, and by keeping them active with physical sports.