During my 4 hours of field work over the last two weeks, I was able to interact with the administration, a few families, the children, and also the Family Service Worker for the center. It was very nice to meet the Family Service Worker Ms. G. It almost seemed that she was an advocate for the childhood obesity. I spent also the whole two hours with her the one day and also observed her speaking with a parent about a nutrition plan, it was too perfect. Ms. G., reviewed the health plan form with me that they use for the children. First she explained that they weigh the children every 6 months to see what their BMI is. Once they get their BMI, they complete a Health plan for the child if they are over weight or under weight. The parent has to take the form to the doctor, and the doctor completes the Health plan giving the family information about diets, and restrictions if any. Ms. G, stated "It's great because we get most of the health plans back completed and the doctor gives the family good nutrition information". Ms. G. and the Director also explained that they do workshops with the parents regarding nutrition. They show the parents how to read food labels, explain how to look at servings, and also give them hand outs and information form MyPlate.org.
During my visit, Ms. G. met with a parent to review the health plan with her because she didn't understand it. I was able to sit in the lobby and observe their conversation. Ms. G. was very patient with the parent and went over the health plan step by step. She took the time to explain everything, and she used words that the parent could understand. Ms. G. also explained to the parent what kind of health issues can occur if the child doesn't start to eat healthier diet (which I felt may have been a little too much for the parent). Ms. G. gave the parent a lot of information and also offered to got to the doctor with her. I learned from this meeting that you have to talk to parents in a certain way if you want them to listen and respond. I learned that if you talk to parents and not at them, they are more receptive to your help and guidance. I spoke with the parent afterward and she stated "I always want to help my children, I just don't know how or where to start sometimes". I asked her if she was offended at all about what the Family Service Worker was talking to her about and she said "No, she was very helpful and she convinced me that my child's weight is an issue and it's not something that he will grow out of". I learned that if you know what you are talking about, and you have the right information, parents want to learn and want to help their children. I learned that in order to be an advocate, you really need to know what you are advocating for and believe in it. Sometimes I think it may be kind of scary to speak to parents about childhood obesity or children being overweight because you never know how they will react, but I have learned from last few interactions at the school that parents actually want to learn, and want help, it just has to be done in the right way.
These last few weeks really have helped me be more comfortable with my advocacy efforts, and even writing my advocacy paper.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Administrative Observation Post
This week, for module 3, i spent 4 hours at my site on two different days. It was very different getting to observe and interact with the director, cook, and administrative assistant. I got to the center at 8:00am, and stayed in the lobby for a while where the director and assistant were greeting the children and families. While we were in the lobby, a child came in the door eating a donut and the director said to the child "A donut for breakfast, you need a healthy breakfast, why don't you give that donut to your mom and you can have oatmeal and oranges with your friends". I looked at the parent to see her reaction and she smiled at the director and said "sorry, i stopped for coffee and I couldn't say No". The child gave the donut to her mom and told her to save it for later after dinner. The director walked the child in the back and they were talking about the oranges and oatmeal. I thought that was the greatest thing, it was good to see that someone cares about the health and nutrition of children. I asked the director if that was something she always did, and she told me she can't be up front all the time but that the teachers would do the same. In the front lobby, there is a whole section on nutrition for children, SNAP applications (Food stamps), healthy breakfast items, and a ton of resources from MyPlate (which the director told me to help myself to the resources so I can use them for my paper). The director of the center seems to be very involved in the center, and seems to know all of the families, and even the first names of parents (which was surprising to me).
On another day when i was observing, the director went to the different rooms and ate lunch with the children. She put a little of everything on her plate in each room and ate with the children, she stayed int he rooms for about 5 minutes. She spoke about the benefits of the foods they were eating (green beans, applesauce, and chicken alfredo). The director also used positive reinforcement to get the children to eat their foods. She would say things like "Wow, look A.H. ate all her vegetables" and then all of the children wanted to finish their vegetables to get praise as well. I didn't speak with the administrative assistant as much because she sat at the desk int he front lobby and basically answered phones, didn't really seem like she wanted to be bothered. I did observe the director asking the administrative assistant to give the children healthy snacks when they leave. At 12pm, some of the children go home after preschool hours and the administrative assistant was handing out candy tot he children that were leaving. The director asked her if she could hand out something other than candy, like fruit snacks, animal crackers, or just give out stickers. During my observation I also noticed that in the lobby there are a lot of resources for the parents to take. They had copies of the menu, which seems very nutritious, how to get physical activity at home, and more resources for healthy eating.
When I spoke with the director she seems very passionate about the health and nutrition needs of the children. She said she goes into the classrooms to model for the teachers because they don't encourage the children to eat their food, and it bothers her. She also stated that she doesn't allow the teachers to eat anything other than what the children are eating in the classroom, no pop, chips, or any other kind of food. I was very pleased with my observations and interview because i feel the director is a good example of how we can be advocates for our children and families. I would have liked to spend more time talking with the director, but she had her hands full, and was running around most of the time.
On another day when i was observing, the director went to the different rooms and ate lunch with the children. She put a little of everything on her plate in each room and ate with the children, she stayed int he rooms for about 5 minutes. She spoke about the benefits of the foods they were eating (green beans, applesauce, and chicken alfredo). The director also used positive reinforcement to get the children to eat their foods. She would say things like "Wow, look A.H. ate all her vegetables" and then all of the children wanted to finish their vegetables to get praise as well. I didn't speak with the administrative assistant as much because she sat at the desk int he front lobby and basically answered phones, didn't really seem like she wanted to be bothered. I did observe the director asking the administrative assistant to give the children healthy snacks when they leave. At 12pm, some of the children go home after preschool hours and the administrative assistant was handing out candy tot he children that were leaving. The director asked her if she could hand out something other than candy, like fruit snacks, animal crackers, or just give out stickers. During my observation I also noticed that in the lobby there are a lot of resources for the parents to take. They had copies of the menu, which seems very nutritious, how to get physical activity at home, and more resources for healthy eating.
When I spoke with the director she seems very passionate about the health and nutrition needs of the children. She said she goes into the classrooms to model for the teachers because they don't encourage the children to eat their food, and it bothers her. She also stated that she doesn't allow the teachers to eat anything other than what the children are eating in the classroom, no pop, chips, or any other kind of food. I was very pleased with my observations and interview because i feel the director is a good example of how we can be advocates for our children and families. I would have liked to spend more time talking with the director, but she had her hands full, and was running around most of the time.
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