Sociology Assignment - Leading Change and Advocacy in Early Childhood

This discussion post, written for a sociology course, examines the role of leadership in early childhood education, focusing on leading change through effective communication. The author identifies communication as a crucial leadership role, emphasizing transparency and honesty. The assignment then addresses the issue of discrimination and neglect in early childhood settings, specifically highlighting gender inequality. The author proposes strategies for advocacy, referencing Waniganayake et al. (2012), to combat stereotypes and biases, advocating for social justice and encouraging educators to critically examine their practices. The post concludes by emphasizing the importance of creating an inclusive environment where every child feels valued and proud of their identity. The assignment fulfills the brief by discussing a leadership role and an advocacy issue, providing practical strategies for implementation.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
SOCIOLOGY
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author Note

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SOCIOLOGY
1. Among the listed roles of leadership within early childhood service by Rodd (2015, p.
40), one of the roles that resonate with me is as follows.
According to Rodd (2015, p.40), effective communication is honest, transferable and
have accessible ways. The role of communication is essential towards leading for change
in any organization or change management or childcare institution. For the
implementation of a change program within a childcare organization effectively,
transparent, honest and accessible skills of communication are the key. It is one of the
most complex parameters involving the exchange of feelings and ideas with teachers of
the early childhood organization. The plan of communication is an integral part of the
change plan which addresses the questions regarding how, what, when and also why
change from the perspective of people. The fundamental factors that are involved in
honest and transparent communication include communicating the vision of change on a
limited basis. The factors furthermore highlight the impacts of the change and the
benefits of the process, ensuring that the teachers of the institution are actively interacting
and also the development of strategic goals and plans co-operatively.
According to my personal insight, I would enact this role of competent, honest and
transparent communication for leading change in the childcare organization as a leader
myself. The modern pressures like the rapid pace of increased globalization,
technological advancements and new competition ensures the need for organizational
change. The three ways I will use communication as an essential part of the change are
by helping for identification of the risk of implementation ahead of the time, fostering the
rich culture with the difference and engaging the teachers of the childcare institution for
making a successful change.

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SOCIOLOGY
2. One of the significant issues that affect the young children in early childhood settings is
the discrimination and neglect due to race, minority community and gender.
Discrimination has been one of the factors affecting the healthy development and growth
of children in early childhood settings. Gender inequality has a negative impact on the
development of first years, which is a crucial phase of growth and development of the life
of a person. According to the research study, early childhood is the stage where social,
cognitive and emotional skills are being learned and influence lifelong wellbeing and
achievement of a child. The discrimination of gender and the low status of women are the
root cause of the limited autonomy of women together with the denial of the rights
towards bodily integrity and health. According to Waniganayake et al., (2012, Chapter.
7), this issue could be taken up as the community level advocacy issue. The authors in the
research paper highlighted some of the possible strategies that could be utilized for
eliminating the problem. It is the duty of the early childhood educators to take steps by
introducing kinds of literature, visuals and conversations aiming to challenge the
stereotypes, the injustice and the biases. The teaching of social justice can also be one of
the strategies for encouraging the awareness of the issues among the parents. Finally,
early childhood educators must need to actively engage with peers for critical
examination of their practice for addressing injustice and inequality in early childhood
practice. This approach towards advocacy is essential to make each and every child feel
proud of themselves inclusive of their identity.

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SOCIOLOGY
References
Rodd, J. (2015). Leading Change in the Early Years. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
Waniganayake, M., Cheeseman, S., Fenech, M., Hadley, F., & Shepherd, W.
(2012). Leadership: Contexts and complexities in early childhood education. Oxford
University Press.