The Goals of the Head Start Program

The Head Start Programs goal is to help underprivileged children go into school on the same level as their counter parts. Our children enter into preschool never being exposed to letters, colors, social skills, problem solving skills or even just the outside world in general.  Without a Head Start our students will enter into kindergarten with lower reading comprehension and social skills than those of their counter parts that may live in an upper or middle-class family. Head Start is determined to correct this problem and have our students enter into kindergarten on the same playing field. In Head Start the children are getting some basic reading and math skills, but program also focuses on the children developing age appropriate emotional and social development.

The Head Start program not only supports the children, but their parents and families as well. Our parents are encouraged to get involved. We offer parenting classes, trainings, GED, job training and much more. Involving parents, family and community in the children’s developmental progression encourages children to strive to do and be more. Being a Head Start teacher you need to have a great relationship with your students and their families. You want your families to feel comfortable, loved, safe and encouraged. When the parents and children are comfortable with you are able get a better glimmer of how their family ticks. Parents and children will come to you if they are comfortable enough.

Michael is a sweet and very caring child. He is very attentive to his peers and loves to help. Today Michael walks into the classroom and something is different about him, but I can’t put my finger on it. Michael sits in his chair a friend comes over to play with him and Michael yells” GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!” and pushes Zoe. I take Michael out of the classroom and to talk to him.

Ms. Stewart – “Michael you seem to be having really strong feelings this morning.” “Can I ask you why you would talk to Zoe like that?”

Michael – “Because she made me mad!”

Ms. Stewart – “How did she make you mad?”

Michael – “She was bothering me.”

Ms. Stewart – “ Well Michael I understand we all get mad sometimes and want to be left alone, but it’s not nice to talk to people like that.” “Words are not for hurting Michael.” “How do you think you made Zoe feel when you yelled at her and said those mean words?”

Michael – “I guess I made her sad, but that’s what my daddy says to my mommy.”

 As a teacher knowing Michael’s personality red flags went up when he entered the classroom. But now that we have had this conversation with Michael several red flags rise. Note to myself call Michael’s mother during naptime. Keep an eye on Michael and document any other changes throughout the day. Calling now would take away from the rest of the class even though there are two teachers in the classroom the conversation may not be a short one so naptime would be the best time.

Oddly enough Michael’s mom calls and says she wants to come in to speak with us because some changes have happened at home. Mom came in after school and spoke with myself and my co teacher. Mom felt comfortable enough to disclose some things that were starting to happen at home. Anything a parent discusses with us is almost like attorney, client privilege. We will not discuss this information with anyone unless we feel it is going to endanger our student and their family. We spoke with mom arranged for her and Michael to start consoling. Mom and Michael moved in with her mother until they got their own place. My co teacher and I found a driving school mom could attend. We also helped her look for work and encouraged her to go back to school. Needless to say Michael was a different child for a few weeks until things got settled at home.

The Head Start program has been widely supported by all sides of the political spectrum throughout most of its 40-year history. However, reforms proposed by President Bush (R) have drawn criticism from some circles. Most notably, he has said that Head Start centers that fail to prepare students adequately for elementary school should be held accountable. To that end, he has suggested there should be some form of national literacy and math standards imposed on Head Start centers. Previously, individual centers were left to enforce their own self-defined standards. (2005)

Those proposed reforms have been met with criticism by Head Start advocates, who claim that Bush is attempting to turn Head Start into a mere literacy program. Should Head Start concentrate more on academic areas such as literacy and math? Or should it continue to emphasize emotional and social development? (2005)

Supporters of Head Start argue that, in its current state, the program provides an essential service by taking care of underprivileged children in a safe, nurturing classroom setting. Research indicates that underprivileged children can suffer developmentally from unstable home environments, proponents point out. Head Start gives those young people nutritious meals, medical care and ample attention. (2005)

As children have come and gone from my classroom I have come to this conclusion “No child is bad.” People fail to realize a child may behave the way they do because they haven’t been taught that the behavior they are displaying is inappropriate. A child only knows what they have been taught or what their parents let them do. If you don’t teach your child not to touch stick his fingers in a socket I’m pretty sure they will learn it eventually. It will be the hard way or someone else will teach it to him. So it is my job as well as many others to thrust them into appropriate social interactions and teach him to problem solve the appropriate way.

Critics of the program say that Head Start is little more than a federally run day-care center. By focusing on emotional development over literacy and math, Head Start inadequately prepares children for elementary school and beyond, opponents assert. It is not unreasonable to suggest that Head Start centers should begin to be held accountable for producing underperforming children, critics argue--after all, billions of tax dollars go to Head Start each year. (2005)

As a Head Start teacher this above statement is true to a certain extent. I believe it is important to get your child in Head Start at 3 years of age not all children need two years, but some do. I am a 3 year old teacher so a lot of my day does consist of socially appropriate peer and adult interactions. As well as emotional development verbally and appropriate. Several of my students entered the program two going on three or have just turned three. So they are probably still in a terrible two stage. Most children a three are still in the mine stage and aren’t aware of the simple fact that what they do affects other not just them. Also depending on their parent’s age and what is socially accepted as far as hitting, kicking, cursing etc.

Keyvon is sitting at his table playing with the counting bears and bowls.

 Davionna walks over and says “Keyvon can I play with you please.”

 Keyvon passes her a bowl and slides the basket towards her. They start playing and counting. Kamiah walks over sits at the table takes the basket, a bowl and started taking handfuls of the bears.

Keyvon replies”Kiniyah you have to share the bears with us.”

 At the same time Davionna yells” No Kamiah you can’t take that from us, move out the way.”

Kiniyah yells “Shut up, I can play if I want to and hits Davionna.” Davionna hits Kiniyah back.

This is where I step in.

Ms. Stewart – “It looks like we have a problem over here, but I need you to take deep breaths and calm down before we solve it.”

Then I state “I understand that you may be anger, but hands are not for hitting.” We also discuss how we feel and how the other person may feel.  We have to stop and think, what’s the problem? “Then the children explain the problem to Ms. Stewart

Davionna says that Kiniyah didn’t ask if she could join there group which caused a little bit of confusion.

Ms. Stewart – Ok, well what’s a better way to solve this problem.

The children continue to create their own ideas of how to solve their own problem with some teacher assistance.  This is one of the wonderful parts of Head Start teaching children about their feelings as well as others. Helping them learn that it’s okay to get upset or anger, but it is never okay to put your hands on someone. We are teaching our children how to express themselves verbally and without aggression. It’s very hard at three to realize “Hey I’m feeling some kind of way, but don’t know what it is.” To expect them to handle it the right way is reaching pretty far. With a little guidance by the end of the school year they will be able to play together with little or no conflict. If a problem that does arise the teachers have equipped them with the tools to help themselves solve the problem.

Head Start was established to provide children with a comfortable, protective environment for learning how to interact with other children as well as adults. Straightforward math and reading lessons are deemphasized in favor of broadening the social development of children from low-income families. Some centers have more to offer than others. One Head Start center in New York City offers art, music, gardening, yoga, speech therapy and occupational therapy to children as well as parenting and English classes for their parents. Head Start centers are also federally required to provide medical and dental care and nutritious meals to their students. Additionally, social workers are available to give special attention to children and parents suffering from depression or trauma. Many are specially trained to deal with problems that result from living in unstable homes or abusive relationships. (2005)

Head Start's effectiveness in achieving its stated goals has been historically difficult to ascertain. Conflicting studies abound. Some suggest that any intellectual benefits provided by the Head Start program tend to "fade out" as students’ progress throughout elementary school. Other studies indicate that Head Start does help children develop long-lasting reading and math skills. According to government reports, underprivileged children who attended Head Start are less likely to be held back a grade or be enrolled in special education classes than those who did not attend Head Start. Research also indicates that black children who go through Head Start are less likely to be charged with crimes in later years; however, the same research also shows that they are no more likely to graduate from high school than black children who were not in Head Start. (2005)

All in all our students will reach the goals we set for them. Failure is not an option in this class. These children are labeled as underprivileged and at risk. They are predetermined for failure is some people’s eyes because they are low income, from broken home, may have behavior problem and aren’t taught at home. Well I say they are just under exposed and on the verge of a break through. Watch out because these children have had a Head Start and if they believe they will achieve. Nothing can hold them back now.

Head Start Preschool Program.  (2005, October).  Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from the Issues & Controversies database.