Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/how-i-went-from-parent-to-child-care-advocate-and-policymaker-and-how-you-can-too/5025347/
Working in early childhood education can be overwhelming, I know this firsthand. I am an early childhood educator, small business owner and a state representative for Iowa House District 70. Sometimes it can seem as though there just are not enough hours in the day. Regardless, using your experience and expertise to advocate for the best interest of educators and children is vital. The majority of a child’s brain is already developed by the age of 5. Yet, access to early education is lacking, with 51 percent of families living in a child care desert, according to Save the Children Action Network. Without this education to aid in development before they reach age 5, a child is less likely to succeed in the future. They will be behind their classmates upon entering kindergarten and their early-learning counterparts are 20 percent more likely to receive a high school diploma (Save the Children Action Network). Being an advocate means helping people, legislators and voters, to make effective and informed policy choices. Anyone with passion for the issue can be an advocate, and advocacy comes in many forms. My journey to becoming an advocate does not have to be your journey. Rather, all of ...