Institute for Children, Youth, and Families




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Intern Stories

Mizuho Watanabe

Agency: The Parent Connection

Term: Fall - 2002

My internship site is The Parent Connection. My main responsibilities are to observe and participate in playgroups and parent education classes, and to lead playgroup activities. Furthermore, I go to University Medical Center and Tucson Medical center for the First Step program in which I give pamphlets to first-time mothers. Next semester, I will lead playgroups and a part of the parent education classes. Also, I will train volunteers for the First Step program. The Parent Connection provides information about parenting and child development through play-based groups and parent education classes for preventing child abuse and the isolation of parents from a community. Clients are all parents who have children under the age of five. I decided to do my internship at The Parent Connection because I love working with children, especially under the age of five, I have experience working with children, and The Parent Connection seemed like a very nice place when I went to interview.

My interests for my future career are working with children under the age of five, parents, and the family as a whole. I hope I can find a job in this field after I graduate. I have learned through this internship that parenting is a very difficult job. Many parents need information about childrearing and child development, support to be a better parent, and an opportunity to network with peers and encourage each other. Thus, what The Parent Connection does is essential for parents and children. Also, what they do is very important for society because children are our future. This is the belief of The Parent Connection.

Usually, each playgroup starts from free-play where a facilitator and I interact with children and parents. We try to make an enjoyable environment for them and a connection between children and parents, as well as among children, and among parents. After that, we have circle time and the main activities that include songs, dance, story telling, and so on. Then, we have a short discussion time during which parents can talk about their concerns and learn about child development and parenting.

I believe that having work experience with people enriches my education and life. I feel that I am able to integrate what I learn at school and the internship site. Also, this gives me the time and opportunity to think about my future career in depth. This internship experience is very stimulating and teaches me many things that I couldn't learn in the classroom.

University of Arizona
Family and Consumer Sciences
1110 E. South Campus Dr.
PO Box 210033
Tucson, AZ 85721-0033
Phone: (520)626-4433
Fax: (520)621-3401
families@ag.arizona.edu