My Role as an Advocate

The thing that motivated me to start advocating for young children was I saw young children were encountering so many issues that I felt were unfair to them.  For example, obesity.  I feel young children should never have to encounter child obesity and all the health, emotional, physical, and social ramifications that come with it.  I understand child obesity is a nationwide problem but to I take it as we also need to look at the local and micro levels because that will kick start the change that will influence a change on the nationwide level or macro level.   This is way it is important to pay attention and foster efforts at the micro level.  It takes passion, communication skills and strong skills in the ability to collaborate with others.  For state leaders they need resources.  Some resources they need are advocates to keep them in the know, business leaders for financial resources, economics with help with the budget, and other EC professionals so they can have the current trends in early education and care.  Some advice I would give people who want to be in leadership roles are listen to those around you.  They will keep you up to date on current issues. Also have a team a trusted advisors who can help you come up with proper solutions.  Then I would say trust your own instincts and fuel the passion for change.