From Mother and Casual Neighbor to Early Childhood Educator: The Transformation of Latina Childcare Providers

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Titillating and Trifling Matter(s) in Curriculum Studies (Table 18)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the self-perception of Latina family, friend, and neighbor childcare providers regarding their participation in the Abuelas Preparando a los niños Para La Escuela (APPLE) program in which the Eisnerian “implicit curriculum” is explicitly taught. The women providing these unregulated childcare situations for Latinx families play a key role in the school readiness of Latinx children in the communities in which they live. The transformations they describe after participating in this program speak of opportunity and empowerment, of advocacy and ability, while denying assimilation; all to improve the lives of children and families in their community and the world with the zeal of a televangelist saying, “Yo se puedo!” (I know I can!).

Author

• Deborah L Becker, Aims Community College