Head start impact study
Introduction
Head Start’s programs have a primary goal of boosting the school readiness of low-income preschoolers. The YMCA of Texas provides comprehensive services by serving low-income children of ages 3 to 5 and their family’s health, nutrition, mental, dental, social, emotional, and educational support. The services are designed to promote a child’s self-sufficiency. Evaluation is to determine the impact of Head start programs and their effects on the development of children.
Development context
A combination of biological makeup and the world that surrounds a child largely shapes the development of a child over time. To understand the human development of a child, the entire ecological and social environments must be considered. The contact a child has with other people, such as teachers and family members is encompassed by a microsystem that guides human development. An example is how a child’s mother relates to the child’s teacher. A microsystem called the mesosystem connects the two.
Risk Indicators
In an effort to understand risk indicators, a risk factor is defined as the statistical likelihood of an adverse developmental outcome. A number of measures have been devised as checklists of risk. One of the most cited risk factors in early childhood delays is the socioeconomic status. Children born from economically disadvantaged families are said to be at a greater risk of learning disabilities and developmental delays. This can be due to a lack of resources that lead to poor prenatal care which results in pregnancy complications and poor child-rearing environments.
Resilience Factors
Resilience is the insight into how children can mitigate potential risk factors and achieve positive developmental outcomes. An example of a resilience factor is active measures provided by the family as a way of social support that serves as a protective mechanism that brings a positive outcome. The social support such as maintaining a healthy body mass index nurtures the well being of children when interacting with their parents improving the child behavior, resilience, and development.
Program interventions
The child’s readiness for school is fostered through individualized learning with adults, and children also receive health screenings, nutrition, and mental health support. Parents and families are supported in issues such as financial security and housing stability, among others.