Angel in the Nursery: Tania Franco

Tania Franco worked as a home visitor at The Child Center of NY Early Head Start Program in Corona for eleven years, supporting parents and their children during home visits and in socialization groups.  I met Tania as a consultant from the Ackerman Institute for the family at The Child Center.  She is an individual worker who thinks deeply about her role in making a difference in the early lives of young children.

This is a brief edit of a recent interview with Tania

What do you feel had an important impact on the parents and children you worked with?

I emphasized that the mother is her child’s first teacher; that parents need to connect with their child, even in the womb, perhaps by singing to them.  Also, I stressed that every human being is different and develops differently, so it is important to try not to compare your child with other children.

How did you change your view on supporting mothers, fathers, and other primary caregivers?

[Continued from newsletter]

I learned to avoid judging or criticizing and saw my role as respecting parents’ way of being as a family, while motivating them to create a relationship with their child.  I focused more on helping parents manage their emotions, listening, and offering help in calming themselves.

How do you think this support helped the children?

A child who sees someone relating to and supporting the parent realizes the home visitor is here for us, sees the parent is calmer, and becomes calm.

What was most challenging or discouraging in the work?

The families lived in an unsafe neighborhood, and often in crowded apartments.  Many were alone as immigrants, living far from family or friends.  I had to accept that while we can shape what happens, and can help parents strive for a happy child, we should not expect perfection.

Final thoughts?  Why do you do this work?

Not everyone feels ready to be a parent, but as humans, we can become empowered.  Helping people cope with and acknowledge their feelings, seeing parents become responsive, confident, and available to their baby because I am there for them, can have an impact on how they relate to other and on the community.