My Head Start Story: Samantha

Submitted by Samantha, Head Start Parent

I started my oldest at three years old in 2019. Since he was an only child at the time, I wanted to make sure he had exposure to other children and an early start in his development. Even during his time in COVID-regulated classrooms, he was so prepared emotionally and academically for kindergarten that the year was such a breeze.

When my second child came along, who has been diagnosed with autism, I saw so much progress in his communication skills as soon as he started in a classroom setting, compared to his one-on-one speech therapy sessions that he had been doing for over a year before the program. Now all he wants to do is talk! (For a parent who never knows if their child is going to be able to communicate with them, that is such a great feeling.)

Alongside the benefits to my children, this program played a role in me graduating with a master’s degree, giving me time to put into studying as well as having a safe place to keep my child while I work full-time. As a single mother, I have nothing but thanks for Head Start programs.

There were different reasons for both of my children. At such a scary time in history, unfortunately, COVID didn’t stop the bills from being paid, so I say this with my oldest: I never felt guilty about allowing him to attend class when programs started to work their way into opening back up. My child was COVID-free during his time there, and it allowed him to have a little life back in his childhood.

For my youngest, again, I have seen major improvements in everything I noticed when he was diagnosed (speech, aggressive behavior, social relationships). I think each classroom for my children (mind you, they are 6 years apart) played its own valuable role at the time and even now. And yet, for both of them at the same time, the environment felt so safe for them. They were always excited to go to school.

I think families should be considered in Head Start programs simply for their child’s confidence boost in their educational and social journey. Learning how to make friends, learning to problem-solve, and learning to regulate big emotions appropriately helps in a classroom where they are going to be given the opportunity to learn these skills. It could even spare you from a first-day-of-kindergarten meltdown because they have already been so prepared for that moment.