Professional Hopes and Goals

·         One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

The one hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse background is to value their culture and become culturally sensitive as well.  It is very important to get to know much as possible about children and families’ culture background, living style, language and where they came from. As an educator, I believe it is helpful and valuable to implement various lessons/activities that support diversity within classroom. Gonzalez-Mena (2011) states, it is so important that diversity is a benefit, whereas children learn new things and take on new languages, new ideas, new perspectives, which should be in addition to what they have at home. I believe many people are labeled and talked about because of lack of understanding of how they live, where they come from and about their culture as a whole. I believe child who is being exposed to various cultures will become sensitive and acceptable of other children who are different from them.  

·         One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length)

The one goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to create a rich learning environment that is welcoming for all children and their families’ culture is supported without biases, prejudices and discrimination. In spite of children and families cultural differences it is essential to allow them to bring what they have to the classroom, where children are able to learn about other cultures. Gonzalez-Mena (2008) believes the way culture is learned is from people around you. This will eliminate any negative behavior or feeling toward a particular child who are different in language, cultural background, values and beliefs.

·         A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

I would like to say “thanks a million” to all my colleagues for their support, encouragements, knowledge and wisdom that was shared with me throughout the duration of this course. It has been a pleasure to work together as we learn about the perspective diversity and equity among children and their families. I look forward to future courses together where we can all continue to share our understanding and knowledge about the early childhood field through discussions and blogs assignments.

References:

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2008).  Perceiving and responding to differences.  In Diversity in

Early Care and Education (5^th ed., pp. 8-13).  Boston, MA: McGraw Hill

Laureate Education (Producer).  (2011). Culture and diversity (video file).  Retrieved

            from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_

id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_6241660_1%26url%3D

Welcoming Families From Around the World

            The name of my family’s country of origin I have chosen is Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is located in southern Africa and it has some interesting facts about that wonderful country. The Great Zimbabwe name has been derived from “Dzimba dza mabwe”, which means “great houses of stone” in the shone language. There are approximately 12.6 million people living in Zimbabwe and about 16 different languages spoken as well. One of the amazing attractions is the Magnificent Victoria Falls that forms the world’s largest curtain of falling water is on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. In the summer months the temperatures are usually in the high 20s°C (though humidity can make it feel hotter) and the winter begin in July with the temperature averaging 14degree Celsius. Although the amount may varies, it rain falls between November-march where the weather can be humid and sticky. From the 11th–15th century, the Shona peoples thrived in a prosperous society, worshipping a supreme deity called Mwari. Many Zimbabweans use traditional healers, who offer both spiritual and medicinal advice.  In Zimbabwe the most valuable crop is tobacco – it was the top agricultural export in 2009.

            Two years ago, the United Nations Children’s agency (UNICEF) found that many rural schools were shutdown. The main problem was that teachers could no longer be found eligible to work in the sector.  number of schools operating in urban areas was better, though schools were often poorly staffed and equipped. Children who pass their primary exams are entitled to carry on to secondary level for two, four or six years. For those able to complete secondary education and carry on further, there are several universities and colleges.

The five ways I will like to prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family:

1.      Developing a personalized contact and relationship with the individuals and their families.

2.      To learn much as I can about the culture of the family I will be in contact with

3.      Since there are about 16 different language spoken in Zimbabwe I would try to learn some phrases of the primary language spoken by the family

4.      Become educated in the cultural beliefs by learning their likes or dislikes

5.      I will learn and become familiar with the family’s way of living/and their country

            The preparation to become culturally responsive toward the family in Zimbabwe will help me as an educator to develop a strong and trusting relationship with them. I believe it is a great benefit for me to learn about another culture other than my own, because it teaches me to become culturally sensitive; as I familiarize myself with the language, belief, customs and way of living of the family from Zimbabwe. Another benefit to this preparation for me and the family is the exchange of information about each other culture and  to gain authentic respect for cultural differences.

References:

http://www.our-africa.org/zimbabwe/education-jobs

http://www.our-africa.org/zimbabwe/facts-figures

http://www.our-africa.org/zimbabwe/people-culture

http://zimbabwe.facts.co/interestingzimbabwefacts/aboutzimbabwefunfacts.php

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

One memory of a bias incident I witnessed was on the internet. There was a picture of a toddler who was crawling in the grass with a brown monkey, which was supposed to signify an African American child.

This bias incident is very disturbing, because it is clearly racism when a human being is classified as a monkey or ape. This picture makes me sad, angry and upset to know that someone thinks the child and that monkey are the same. Not only does this picture shows bias, stereotype and is offensive to African American people, but it also diminish equity; because there is no similar in the features (skin, skin tone, facial appearance or skin texture) at all between the two in this picture. I believe if society move from stereotypical comments, saying and pictures like these; then all children can truly be the same as well as treated the same.

References:

http://newsone.com/2187515/facebook-black-baby-as-monkey/

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Since I have read and learn about what microaggressions are it is almost easy for me to recognize when it is happening to me or someone else. Dr. Wing Sue (2011) describes microaggression as social exchanges in which a member of a dominant culture says or does something, often accidentally, and without intended malice, that belittles and alienates a member of a marginalized group. The microaggression I was able to detect was between my two daughters. They were talking about the ultrasound my oldest daughter took and the weeks she is pregnant.  My oldest daughter asked my middle daughter what was the calculation of 23 weeks in pregnancy term, but before she could answer the question. My oldest daughter said “can you count unless you need my help”. I immediately said “Don’t do that” my oldest daughter said “do what?” I begin to explain about my homework assignment on microaggression and you are doing it right now to your sister. I let my oldest daughter know that even though she is not saying it directly you are saying that your sister is slow, dumb and cannot count, in which all is wrong and is indirect microaggressions. 

One of my co-workers told me about experience in which her daughter had which involved microaggression between her granddaughter and the nail salon worker. My co-worker’s daughter decided to take her niece to the nail salon. When they got there the nail technician who normally works on their nail was absent. The granddaughter really did not want any of the other workers to do her nails. So she begin to talk about them by saying mean things such as: they do not know how to do nails that good and/or they are stupid because they did not know how to speak English. The aunt said “that’s enough and that is bad to say”.  The granddaughter said “so” and continues to speak saying it is ok because they do not understand what I am saying. So, the granddaughter refused to stop talking that way, so the auntie said “I will not take her with me ever again”. First of all I believe the granddaughter was showing racial aggression and assuming the salon worker could not speak English that she could not understand how the granddaughter was belittling her (salon worker) and be bias.  

In both case I believe it is wrong to belittle another person whether it is knowing or unknowing. It is important be aware of our intent in which we say things to others, so that we will not come out in a way that is discriminating, prejudice and/or stereotyping. I believe with the two above scenario my alert, aware and more knowledgeable to what a microaggression look like came on and I was a little upset about the situation.

References:

Laureate Education (2011). Microaggression in everyday life. Retrieved from http:

            //class. Waldenu. edu  

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

The three people I was able to get their perspective and definition on culture and diversity was a teenager, a Hispanic woman and an African American man.

The teenager said……

Culture is fashion the clothes we wear, the type of music we listen to and the way we live. Diversity is knowing people are not the same and do not live the same way.

The Hispanic woman said…..

Culture is who we are and where we came from. It is our family generation and the good times we have when we come together to celebrate birthday, wedding or special holiday. It is the language we speak. Diversity is different families who have their own way of living and their own way of doing things.

The African American man……..

Culture is the way we learn, live and develop. It is a lifetime of history. It is doing what we have being taught to do from generation to generation. Diversity to me is being different.

The aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course have been included in the answers from the three individual and their intake on this manner. They have stated the fact that culture is the way we define family (who they are and where they came from), it is how they live, morals and the way family celebrate through music, dancing, fashion and language.

From the three responses I did not hear any response on their religious standpoint and the upbringing past down on family’s belief. I understand every family has their own way of thinking living and doing things. That’s what make family has their own uniqueness. Many times we picture culture or diversity to be one way, but in fact there is a change each time a new generation rise up. I believe nothing is taking away but an added on of new way of doing things, living, learning, lifestyle, belief, values and/or morals.  

My Family Culture

The three small items I would choose that hold dear to me and that represent my family culture are: a small box with the family photo, the bible and family heirloom which are jewelry that is of value. I would explain to others why I selected each of these items and how they will work for me in the strange country. First of all, the family photo album will keep me in remembrance of my entire love one, of the good times we had together and never forgetting where I came from since the start of my generation/family tree (great grandparents down to me or my generation). The family bible was selected so that I can remember to keep the belief, value and truth in which my family live upon. The family valuable heirloom was selected because I may have to use it to live on when I am into a strange country to live.

            My feeling upon arrival when I was told I could take one personal item will be sad, confused and disappointed at the same time. It was already hard for me just to leave everything behind and select only three things; just to find out when I get to the new country I can only take one thing.  The insight I have gained about myself is the fear of not knowing what will happen to me and my family/culture if this was true and I have to relocate to a different country upon someone else order. Although this is just an assignment I have taken much thought, had so many feeling to what I would do or bring and become scared to make the decision of what two thing I will give up and one thing I would keep. Another thing this exercise made me realized how important it is to value my family culture and the culture of the children and their family I service each and every day.

When I Think of Research....

Some insights that I have gained from taking this course are; research is like a good mystery movie where researchers will try very hard to uncover new insights, information and truth about different issues, trends or controversies that is happening in the world. It is essential that researchers continue to shed light on a particular research study by answering questions that maybe unknown and/ or perhaps misunderstood. When I think about the ideas of conducting a good research; it is important to select, protect and provide confidentiality to all participants who participate in the research study. Also as a researcher it is essential to understand and address any issues that may arise while conducting a research; in order to avoid any legal problem or loss of reputation.  When planning a research it is important to choose that best design, method and/or approach that allows the researcher to collect the right information that will support the intent of the study. The research simulation title I have chosen was “Do Children Learn More While Teaching Them in Their Home Language?” As a researcher the challenges that was encounter is a having trouble communicating; due to the language barrier of some participants who are dual language learner. In order to meet the language barrier problem, it was essential to have a qualified interpret who is fluent in both English and Spanish learner. Some of my perceptions of early childhood have been modified as a result of this course, allowing me understanding of why and how research is important in this field.

Research helps us as educators to learn about various issues that is centering on the field of early childhood education; which have affect a particular groups or individuals. Also it is important to respect children and their family’s cultural differences, decision making while providing confidentiality and equity during any situation or concern.