Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 4-26-19

It Takes A Village
munity, parents and teachers, working to- gether to provide chil- dren, our future leaders, the best possible chance to become well- rounded, well-function- ing, active members of society.
My name is Mr. Kenny Dickinson Sr., currently the Director of Bible-Based Fellowship Child Care Center (BBFCCC). It’s been my honor, my passion, to have worked in Early
Child Care for almost 25 years. As the son of for- mer Children’s Discov- ery Child Care Center (CDC) owners, Parnell and Ernestine Dickin- son, this saying has been engrained in me since I was a boy.
CDC is where I first discovered my passion for working with chil- dren. Observing interac- tions between teachers and parents. Watching as they worked hand-in- hand to meet the needs
of each child individu- ally, be it the social, the emotional or the physi- cal need of the child gave me firsthand experience of seeing the Village in action.
Love for the child brings the village to- gether, all parties want- ing to see children strive and wanting the best possible foundation for each child. Daily doses of positive reinforce- ments, using words of encouragement, uplift- ing and speaking life into children are all acts of love. It’s also very im- portant to remember that children are sponges, they’re very ob- servant, they hear us even when we think they aren’t listening.
Refraining from nega- tivity is best practice and as we all know, “practice makes perfect” or at least forms habits and this is one habit we can all benefit from.
Love for the child will and should lead to the understanding that chil- dren need stability. Chil- dren prosper from structure and a stable environment. Daily at- tendance for students and low turnover rates for teachers fosters a bond within the village. Children grow when they can bond with teachers and caregivers.
Parents actively par- ticipating in their child’s education and communi- cating with teachers is also key. Parents should be aware that Early Child Care educators are their allies and not their ene- mies. We’re here to come along side you and aide you in helping your child excel.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) along with the Early Learning Coalition (ELC), offer programs such as Head Start and Volunteer Prekinder- garten to relieve some of the cost and headaches often associated with your child care needs. Parents you should be confident and find a Child Care Center that embraces your input and is willing to work with you, together creating that most needed “Vil- lage.”
KENNY DICKINSON, SR.
“It takes a village.” According to Google, the origin of this saying is re- ally a mystery. Some say that it originated in an ancient African proverb,
some say it came from a Native American Tribe. Regardless of where this phrase originated, peo- ple usually agree on what it refers to: com-
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019