My key takeaways from this activity includes the following: Assessments are important to identify needs, Alignment is significant because misalignment has serious implications, and Participants must be fully involved and engaged during the learning process in order for them to also give the same valuation to assessments throughout the program.
Let’s say Nena, 30 years old, has a 4 year old son who is enrolled in the Brgy. Daycare Center. Nena, a high school graduate and a full-time housewife, accompanies her son to school but she never participates in any activity. She simply waits outside (with some Maritess in between) until the class is finished.
Another one, let’s say Ana, 28 years old. The same as Nena, Ana has a 4 year old son enrolled in the Brgy Daycare Center. However, Ana does not wait for her son to finish. She does other errands during the class.
At home, both mothers allow their sons to play. But, only Ana has a set schedule for his son whereas Nena focuses on her daily chores and lets her son be in any way except for taking care of his food, sleep, and clothes.
I ask myself: Is there a need to teach parents how to become better early childhood care providers? Is there a need to BE better early childhood care providers?
Assessments are important to identify needs.
Next question to myself: If I were to create a program for this kind of need, what would my learning objectives be?
Alignment is significant because misalignment has serious implications.
Finally: How do we empower parents to become actively involved in the betterment of our Brgy Daycare Centers?
Alternative assessments encourage participants be more involved and to take ownership of the need; hence, take ownership of finding solutions to this need.
I can only hope and pray that this idea will be planted and become fruitful one day…because better teachers empower parents to become better individuals so they can become better guardians of the society’s little people.
Better Teachers 