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Archives for April 2020

A focus on fatherhood

April 22, 2020 by Sydni Moore

A young boy looks up from playing with toys in a tub of water.

When most of the country was ordered to stay at home in March, senior Eli Jones’s school environment did not change. The child and family development student was already completing coursework online while interning in Illinois.  

“I currently work for a family-focused, child-centered welfare agency called Hobby Horse House (HHH) in Jacksonville,” Jones says. “I’ve been able to be part of many aspects of the services we provide, a major one being parenting classes.”   

The spread of COVID-19 means Jones is completing intern duties remotely, too. 

“While I can’t go into details of my casework, I can tell you that we’re doing the best we can during this situation to provide our services while limiting person-to-person contact and working through telecommunications,” Jones says. 

Passion project 

Fortunately, working in ways he isn’t used to hasn’t meant the halt of what he calls his passion project: a parenting program exclusively for fathers. The idea came to Jones during a discussion with his workplace’s parenting services coordinator. 

“The goal of the program is that fathers will be able to handle all aspects of raising their children,” Jones said.  

A young girl plays on a slide.
A young girl plays on a slide, her friend smiling.

He hopes it will also combat the notion that men cannot parent like women can.  

“Honestly, men get a bad rep as fathers, because many aren’t taught to be nurturing individuals,” Jones said.  

His goal is to combat toxic masculinity—an adherence to traditional, male gender roles that limit the emotions of boys and men.  

“Through toxic masculine traits, and the thought that it’s the mother’s job to raise children, we have created a standard that dads aren’t really parents, but simply babysitters.”  

Stages of life 

While Jones’s progress for his project has slowed, much of it has already been laid out. The program will consist of 12 modules—including several for every stage of childhood through maturity—to be covered across 12 weeks: 

  • Weeks 1-2 covers development from birth through two years of age. Fathers will learn how to feed, bathe and diaper their babies, as well as how to aid them as they learn to walk and talk.  
  • Week 3 teaches fathers about self-care, self-worth and how to ditch toxic masculinity.  
  • Week 4 covers ages 2-5, as well as how to find child care and preschools.  
  • Week 5 focuses on school-age children ages 5-12. It teaches fathers how to assist children with schoolwork and help them understand their changing bodies, gender roles, sex and body sovereignty.  
  • Week 6 shows fathers how to navigate the world of dating as their children become curious about romantic relationships.  
  • Week 7 covers brain development across stages of childhood, as well as how to manage stress and money as a parent. 
  • Week 8 focuses on puberty. 
  • Week 9 includes information about ages 12-18.  
  • Week 10 teaches fathers how to structure their days, managing chores, errands and schedules.  
  • Week 11 focuses on children’s educational needs and the possibility of raising a special needs child.  
  • Week 12 is for leftover information and unanswered questions, Jones says, as he is sure there will be spillover from previous modules.  

Jones acknowledged the program covers a lot of material in a short amount of time. It’s his hope, though, that the additional formation of a group to help fathers socialize will build community. Dads will receive support in their learning and growth.  

Putting it to work

Jones plans to form a trial group next spring to go through each module. Feedback will help him adapt the program to fathers’ needs.  

Jones is currently looking into grant funding for researchers to help with further development.  

“The end goal for this program is to publish the curriculum, so that other centers like HHH could use the content,” Jones says.  

Two boys play with toy kitchenware at a small table.
Two boys play with toy kitchenware at a small table.

Childhood education and family studies assistant professor Dr. Elizabeth King knows it’s possible. She calls Jones an “engaged and critical” student.  

“He doesn’t simply take content at face value, but he pushes it,” she says. “He wants not only to learn whatever material is covered, but to challenge the concept, turn it on its head and consider it in various contexts—always with a social justice lens.” 

Empowered parents 

Dr. King, who has worked with Jones for about two years, claims students like him make professors better at what they do. She’s happy for the opportunity to finally talk him up.  

“His approach to the parenting program he’s developing is innovative,” she says. “It’s not only a how-to for fathers, but it focuses on updating the narrative of what fathering looks like.” 

Many parenting programs put a focus on mothers, she says.  

“His program aligns directly with the American Psychology Association’s call for positive father involvement.” 

Eli Jones works on his parenting program at his desk.
Eli Jones works on his parenting program for fathers at his desk.

What’s better? Jones’s program aligns with his own ideal that fathers feel empowered to be the best parents they can be.  

“I believe this program will help fathers not only be better for their children,” he says, “but for themselves.” 

Filed Under: COE Faculty, COE Students, Early Childhood and Family Development Tagged With: COVID-19, Eli Jones, Elizabeth King, father, parent, parent program

COE department head receives statewide award

April 16, 2020 by Sydni Moore

Hill Hall on a spring day.

Dr. Denise Cunningham, childhood education and family studies department head, and all her hard work has not gone unnoticed. Missouri Educators of Family and Consumer Sciences and Human Services (MoEFACS) recently selected Cunningham as the recipient of the 2020 Champion Business Leader award.  

The news came to Cunningham in a letter from Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). 

“When I first saw the letter, I thought another faculty member, Debra Price, had won an award for post-secondary teaching,” Cunningham said. “I had no idea the award was for me. I didn’t think I had done anything worthy of being recognized.” 

MoEFACS felt differently, as do her colleagues.  

“A leader is a person who empowers and uses the strengths of others in order to yield positive results. Dr. Cunningham is that type of leader,” Dr. Stefanie Livers said. Livers is an assistant professor in Cunningham’s department. “She effectively supports faculty in their individual teaching and research, orchestrating a synergistic body that provides students with quality programs.” 

Creating a legacy  

Cunningham began at Missouri State in 2005 as an assistant professor in early childhood education. She has since “demonstrated a sustained commitment to improving career and technical education.” 

“I have been intentional about working with family and consumer science teachers to develop dual credit opportunities in child development, human development and family studies, as well as education-specific courses, such as Introduction to Elementary Education,” Cunningham said.  

She has also invited FACS and Career Pathways teachers and interested students to campus to learn about related MSU programs.  

In addition to creating opportunities, Cunningham led the development of two master’s degree programs: Master of Science in Child Life Studies and Master of Science in Early Childhood Special Education. Cunningham also expanded the College of Education’s Internship Academy to include opportunities for early childhood education candidates.  

“I have also been involved in Bear Partnership, a summer, week-long immersion experience for high school students interested in the field of education,” Cunningham said.  

MSU memories 

One of Cunningham’s favorite memories in her 15 years at the university is when she implemented the Abundant Books for Children project across schools in Stone County.  

The project culminated from her own research, and she put it to use in an early childhood methods course as a service-learning assignment. She and her undergraduate students went to five school districts to provide workshops for families with preschool students. The workshops taught families how to use an interactive, shared book experience with their young children.  

“The work with the families was so enjoyable, but I was thrilled at what students learned from the experience,” Cunningham said. “It was so cool to have my research, teaching and service so connected.” 

Cunningham said she looks forward to the rest of her time at Missouri State. She will be recognized for her work July 22, at a MoEFACS luncheon and awards ceremony. Additionally, MoEFACS will forward an application for Cunningham to the National Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (NATFACS), to compete for the Champion for Family and Consumer Sciences award.

Filed Under: Child Life Studies, COE Faculty Tagged With: award, Denise Cunningham, FACS, Stefanie Livers

Congratulations to Dr. Stefanie Livers

April 1, 2020 by Sydni Moore

Dr. Stefanie Livers works with students in class.

The College of Education is excited to announce that the 2020 issue of Mind’s Eye features the work of Dr. Stefanie Livers.

Read an excerpt from her story:

“Mathematics is the gate keeper for all careers and futures,” Livers said. “Many schools use math as a decision maker of what track or trajectory you’re on.”

If math serves as a gatekeeper, what about students that don’t excel in the current math classroom model? Livers argues that every student can solve problems by using their individual strengths and funds of knowledge.

 

READ THE FULL STORY

Congratulations, Dr. Livers!

Filed Under: COE Faculty Tagged With: education, math, Mind's Eye, research, Stefanie Livers

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