Using the two cases provided below, write a 1-2 page paper that compares the two families. Be sure to address the following.

1. Describe the similarities and differences of the two families you chose in regards to structure, functions, successes, dreams, and/or stressors

2. Explain how looking at these families from a strength-based perspective creates a different relationship than if you focus on the deficits or weaknesses. Give examples based on the two families you have chosed.

3. Create a paragraph that integrated the concept of strength-based perspectives and your work with young children and families. In other words, how will you use this knowledge as an early childhood professional?

The Alvarez Family

Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez recently immigrated to the United States from Columbia with four-year-old Jose and five-year-old Maria. Mrs. Alvarez is pregnant and excited that her baby will be born a U.S. citizen. She will have to quit her job soon, as standing on her feet all day is becoming a challenge on her pregnancy. Mr. Alvarez is worried about the financial burdens they will have when the baby arrives. His part-time job brings in a small income. He does not want his wife to seek prenatal care at the local hospital for fear they will find out the family entered the U.S. illegally and will be deported. He wants her to go to his cousin who was a midwife in Columbia.

Both children are enrolled in a Head Start program. Maria's teacher is concerned that Maria may not be ready for kindergarten as she scored low on a Kindergarten Readiness assessment. She wants to schedule a conferences with the parents, but they have not responded to her calls. She has a take home kit of activities she wants Maria's parents to use with her at home. Both parents want their children to learn English, so they encourage them to watch English channels on TV and be friendly with children in the neighborhood to improve their English.

The Johnson Family

Miss Johnson is a single mother of a 5-month-old boy. Her former boyfriend was recently incarcerated for possession of controlled substance. Miss. Johnson is upset, as she just began the court process of getting child support from him. After her son Tyrone was born, she decided to leave the drugs scene and to turn around her life by going to school. Her boyfriend did not agree with her decisions, and that brought the relationship to an end.

Miss Johnson is taking classes at night to earn her GED and this enables her to volunteer at her child's Head Start center. She is so intrigued by what she is learning about how children grow and develop that she decided she wants to be a preschool teacher. Her child's teacher tells her about the wonderful Early Childhood Education program at Rasmussen College, But Miss Johnson is worried that she does not have a computer to take courses online