Poverty is a challenge that is well-known and affects families and communities on numerous levels. According to Hanson and Lynch (2013) "although many families manage to overcome adverse circumstances, living in poverty unleashes a set of factors and events that pose great risk to the well-being and development of children and their families"(p.130). Duncan, Magnuson, Boyce, and Shonkoff (2011) noted that "poverty constrains parents' ability to provide rich learning opportunities for their children and often parents choose among lower-quality child care, which we know can compromise the relationships children need for healthy development" (p. 1).
I would like to investigate the effects poverty has on families within the school community. I would also like to explore ways in which the school community assists families living in poverty. Programs have been put into place and show positive results, however, the poverty cycle continues and students are still entering school unprepared. How can we change this ongoing situation in order to enhance lives of our nations youngest?
References
developingchild.Harvard.edu/index.php/download
Hanson, M.J. & Lynch, E.W. (2013). Understanding Families: Approaches to Diversity, Disability,
and Risk. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Janet,
ReplyDeleteIn your post you asked how we can change the ongoing situation in order to enhance young lives. I do not know that there is one simple answer. However, what I do know is that it will take people like you and like me to advocate for these children so that they can be afforded a better life. In our classrooms we can be better prepared to meet the needs of these children by finding ways to help them succeed academically. As a school administrator it is my job to hire educators of excellence because mediocre educators will not get the job done. The effect of poverty in the classroom is a concern of mine and I want to find ways in which every child can flourish in spite of their living conditions.
Darla