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Final Parent Survey, Summer 2009 Session
The Core Program Teachers conducted a Final Parent Survey following the end of the Summer 2009 Session. The teachers contacted fifty parents over the phone and asked them to attend focus group discussions in their respective locations. Twenty-nine parents attended focus groups in five locations. TYO compares Initial and Final Parent Surveys to determine the impact of its program on each child and identify which children could benefit from further services either from TYO or by referral.
• 100% of parents reported that their child has positively developed socially and psychologically as a result of TYO.
• 97% of parents reported that their child is applying the activities s/he learned at TYO in the home.
• 93% of parents reported that there is progress in their child’s interactions with peers.
• 86% of parents reported that their child shows more initiative than before.
• 90% of parents reported that their child is more cooperative.
• 90% of parents reported that their child is more responsible.
• 100% of parents reported improvement in communicating with others.
• 83% of parents reported improvement in their child’s ability to follow instructions.
The summer session represented the last two months of implementation of a four-month intensive training with MaDad on the Holistic Integrated Approach to early childhood education. Thanks to the new skills gained from working with MaDad, TYO teachers are imparting coping skills and outlets for self-exploration and expression, which transcend our classrooms and are implementable at home. In addition, our classrooms include a large emphasis on free play and imagination through the child-led creation of “imagination stations,” including a kitchen, doctor’s office, storytelling corner, pharmacy, falafel stand and a bank. These stations are made from 100% recycled and found materials, which facilitates recreating the same type of play at home. The Core Program teachers use the children’s creations as a point of departure to talk about health and safety, nutrition, problem solving, recycling, physical fitness, communication and tolerance.
Comments from Parents
• My son likes to help me prepare salads in the kitchen. He told me he learned at TYO that salads are very healthy.
• My son taught his siblings how to play doctor. His siblings are the patients and he is the doctor who discovers what is wrong with them. He wears a white shirt and plays with empty bottles pretending they are full of medicine.
• My daughter informed me about the expiration date on juice boxes and medicine boxes. I was so surprised and happy.
• My daughter is always looking for the opportunity to practice what she learned at TYO. Now, she helps me prepare salad and humus.
• My son taught his siblings how to make homemade flowers.
• My daughter loves drawing and painting. She has decorated the area around her bed with her art.
• Since coming to TYO, my daughter likes to draw what is on her mind.
• My son used the art skills he learned at TYO to make wedding party invitations.
• My daughter is using the skills she learned at TYO at home. She created her own dolls from old cloths she collected from our house.
• My son taught his siblings all the dance steps he learned at TYO.
Midterm Report on the TYO’s Impact, Summer 2009 Session
About 150 children (ages 4-8) are enrolled in TYO’s Morning and Afternoon Core Program during this Summer Session (June 14 – August 12, 2009.) They live in the most disadvantaged areas of the city, and were identified during TYO outreach as belonging to the most needy families within these poor and marginalized neighborhoods. Following the first two months of a four-month intensive training with MaDad on the Holistic Integrated Approach to early childhood education, the Summer Session began. In an effort to measure the impact of this new approach, the same children who participated in the Spring 2009 Session were invited back this summer.
After four weeks of the program, we see concrete and significant change in many of our children, especially in the following areas:
- Age-appropriate sociability with peers and adults,
- Appropriate behavior (including the disappearance of bed wetting problems),
- Improved vocabulary and increased vocalization and self-esteem
During the fifth week of programs, a letter was sent home with a random sample of 20 Morning Core Program participants inviting their parents to attend a discussion. TYO Psychosocial Specialist Suhad Jabi facilitated a focus group later that week with five mothers and one father of ten TYO participants. The focus group was an open discussion in which the parents introduced themselves and discussed their level of satisfaction with the program, changes in their children’s behavior and suggestions for future program development. Suhad described the conversation as enthusiastic, lively and organic. The following are testimonies given by those parents.
Abu Sami, father of Gofran, age 4, Balata refugee camp
My daughter, Gofran, used to be selfish—wanting everything in her hands. She never shared and was aggressive with her siblings. My children would always fight and there was never any peace in our home. Despite my encouragement, they never managed their studies well. Now, Gofran is more cooperative and less aggressive. I see her respecting other children and finishing her tasks with more care. She is outspoken and shares stories with me about her classroom and her teacher Rana [TYO’s art teacher.] She told me that when she is upset she wants to talk to Rana about her anger. She no longer has nightmares.
Om Ehab, mother of twins Sadeel and Sandee, age 5, Askar refugee camp
Both Sandeel and Sandee have bed-wetting problems. During their first session [at TYO], the problem decreased to around three times a week. After the first week of this session, they both stopped completely. My daughters are happier and cooperate with each other much better. They are always talking about their teacher Rana [TYO’s art teacher.]
Om Mohammad, mother of Mohammad, age 5, Khallet al-Amood
My son used to be a rude child. He created many problems in the neighborhood. He was difficult to talk with and aggressive. He is a tough kid. I have always been a bit surprised that TYO doesn’t send him home. Many times I have wanted to visit the TYO Center, but I do not come because I am afraid that I will hear the staff complaining about my son. I am very satisfied with the program. Now, Mohammed is better in every category. He has become polite, much calmer and sweet. He is more expressive and articulate about his ideas. Sometimes I cannot believe I am talking with a five-year-old kid.
Additionally, MaDad trainer Ahlam provided the following testimony on the progress she witnessed in Younis, age 4, Askar refugee camp.
When I see where these children are now [at the session’s midpoint], there is visible change. You can see it and feel it inside them. They feel ownership over this environment. Everything here calls to them and respects them. They are participating in natural communication with their teachers about their feelings—even Younis. When we first met, he was a very angry, distant child. He was detached and difficult. Today he was sitting in the supermarket imagination station calling for food. Even the shy and quiet children have chosen how to be happy in this environment.
Final Parent Survey, Spring 2009 Session
The Core Program Teachers conducted a Final Parent Survey following the end of the Spring 2009 Session. The teachers contacted forty-six parents over the phone and asked them questions designed by Suhad. TYO compares Initial and Final Parent Surveys to determine the impact of its program on each child and identify which children could benefit from further services either from TYO or by referral.
• 93% of parents reported that their child likes coming to TYO
• 96% of parents reported that their child learned new things as a result of attending the TYO Core Program
• 83% of parents reported that their child formed new friendships as a result of attending the TYO Core Program
• 93% of parents reported that there is progress in their children’s familial interactions and 91% reported progress in their child’s peer interactions
• 89% of parents reported that their child had a better understanding of safety
• 83% of parents reported that their child is less shy as a results of attending the TYO Core Program
• 81% of parents reported positives changes in their child’s sleep patterns
• 89% of parents reported improvement in their child’s self-expression
• 76% of parents reported improvement in their child’s control of his temper
Comments from Parents
− My son is more active. You won’t believe the excited way he returns from school and immediately goes to wait for the TYO bus.
− My daughter is more brave and asking more questions. She is using new vocabulary and strong self-expression.
− My son’s schoolwork has improved.
− My son is a more active listener.
− My son has better personal hygiene
− My son has displayed new and positive ways of playing with his siblings.
− Our children have formed new friendships between Balata and Askar refugee camps.
− My daughter used to resist orders and rules. After the tolerance unit at TYO, there was a conflict between her and her sister and she taught her sister about tolerance and they shook hands. I was so happy.
− At TYO, I found a safe place for my daughter, which is great. TYO has taught my daughter to communicate with her fear and organize herself.
