What an Advocate Needs

Want to help others become effective advocates for early childhood education? Sessy L Nyman, writing in the Art of Leadership series, outlines these six key skills effective advocates need to have:

"Understanding the issue: ...in order to build support and ownership of the issue among others, understanding the entire issue, with all its complexities, is critical...

The context: Knowing at least part of the history of an issue is critical...

Messaging: The work of creating a message…happens in two primary categories: creating public will…demonstrating need and effect [and] the ability to make some elected officials know that the public supports the issue...

Relationship building:...Whether engaging an elected official, other advocates, parents or community members, relationships are crucial to an advocate’s success.

Understanding the players: Who are the players? They are anyone and everyone you interact with who cares about your issue, who is affected by your advocacy work, or even who might take a contrary view of your issue...

Why should anyone else care? Early childhood education affects every segment of our society. An effective advocate will be able to explain how the issue affects different populations in different ways..."

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