Practicing Awareness of Microagressions

Micro aggressions in my opinions are a person’s way of using little stereotypical statements or emotions to others. Most micro aggression is negative and unintentional but some are intentional, people know what they are doing. After reading the resources and listening to Dr. Sue I understand that people really don't know they are doing these things so harmful to other. The week has taught me that I have said things that I didn't mean that were not nice but now that I know better I am not going to say or act that way again. I have a friend who is gay and he came over my house this week and an old friend of mine was there and asked me did he know how to do hair because she thought that was his career. My gay friend is an accountant, not a hair stylist. 

I have been at fault for using micro aggression toward a people some point in my life. I have learned a lot about myself this week, and about others that I come into contact with. Learning and educating yourself about other culture and diversities will help you understand better about others and what you say and do harms other people's feelings.

When we work with parents their children, and our co-workers we must know how to effectively communicate both verbally and non-verbally. Parents will be key in this change in communicate effects to change the way we see others.

 

 

Definitions of Culture and Diversity

Assignment:  Our assignment this week was to call, write to, or talk to at least three friends, family members, acquaintances, and/or colleagues. Include at least one person who you believe is in some ways culturally different from you (a different gender, race, class, religion, abilities, age, etc.)

Joyce-Best Friend

what is your definition of culture?" To me it is how we look, talk, smile, laugh, walk, eat, and celebrate."
What is your definition of diversity? “All the different people in the world around us.

Dorothy-Family Member

what is your definition of culture? “Traditions and behaviors of everyone”

What is your definition of diversity? “Diversity is what makes you different from others”

Shirley- Colleague

what is your definition of diversity? "Culture is the differences in people"
What is your definition of culture? “Diversity is your upbringing”

 
In this course, it has taught me that culture is more than just the outside, “When early childhood’s educators think about culture, they think the surface things that are easy to see taste and define.” (Derman-sparks L and Olsen Edwards J.). After this week reading and videos, I have learned more about culture and diversity than I ever knew before. I have a greater understanding so that I can help all of my parents. I am advocate that all teachers take a course in diversity. This course has given me such a greater insight about others and their perspective and how they live.  

References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves

My Family Culture

The assignment this week was to Imagine the following:

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

I chose first my Holy Bible because I never leave home with it. I brings me spirituality, calmness,and humbleness as I read  it. Second, I would take my family photo case which has memories in it over 50 years. I like to sit sometimes and reminisce about the past and look forward to the future. and last and would bring my family's certificates of live birth. All of these items I feel can tell about my culture.

If  I had to just keep one is would be the photo case because the memories in it is priceless and will never be forgotten such as first birthday, marriages, first dances,etc. I would hate to have to give up the other things but, the picture will be able to show, and tell the true meaning of my beliefs, traditions, and foods, I believe that pictures are worth a thousand words. I will be able to use the pictures to tell about my culture here in the United States. I would be very hurt if I had to give up my bible which is my comfort zone and my children live birth certificates. This assignment has ,made me think about what is really important in your life.

Reflection on Research

Over the past eight weeks I have learned and gain many insight regarding research and why we conduct research. Before this course, I really did not think about research. I learned that doing research helps us understand why we do what we do with families and children. In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed? I have a different perspective about research because doing my simulation research, it made me realize how prevalent research is.What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn? I learned that research has to be done according to the research design plan and in order to do research no parts can be missed. Research can be mind blowing but once you learn the terms and steps it is a breeze. What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them? I had problems narrowing down my topic but I finally got that done with. What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course? Since starting this course, I understand that research is all about planning and having methods in place that works for the research that is being done. I have enjoyed reading the course materials and learning about my colleagues research simulations and all the topics were interesting. I look forward to sharing what I learned with others. 

Research Around the World

Research Around the World

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

I chose this site, because of its mission statement when I first entered the site. The mission statement was the first thing I noticed and I was high impressed with the wealth of knowledge and information that can be gained from the site. The website was just filled with information and I went to each tab and read all that the link had to offer. I think that the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics was the most important tab for me. I was glad to see that there was codes of ethics.  Some of the international topic discussed was quality child care, and child care funding. This website reminds me of the Early Childhood Knowledge and Learning Center. I have already emailed the link to several of my friends who are also teachers.

I was so surprised at all the articles and books that  this website that this website offered which can be such a good professional development tool. I found that each tab offered information that was  related to early childhood and children. I have already asked my agency if I can become of member so that I can received information. I would recommend all educators to look at this site and the information it has to offer.  This website is a great networking tool to learn about what others are doing the field. From this website I can see that Australia is doing similar things and there are passionate people there who care about early childhood education.

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I would like to share a uplifting story about research on Leukemia. I have a friend whose mom was diagnosed with Leukemia and was hospitalized. Research was being done at St. Jude Hospital  in Memphis and my mom was at a hospital over three hundred miles away and it needed to be shipped immediately.  Her mother had a round of Leukemia that did not get out her kidneys but the doctor knew of a antidote that worked on a child at St. Jude. The antidote was needed to get the poison out of her organs because it had cause her to have mo mobilization on one side and she could not talk.


The medicine was shipped to her mom to see if the antidote would work. Her mom received the medicine and about one hour later she was able to talk and walk again with the help of the research studies on children. The research that was done at the children's hospital helped her mom so much and will help others that will be la similar situation.  Research is so beneficial to lives of children and families. As educators we should embrace research and the work that is being done.

If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?

Albert Einstein

My Personal Research Journey

 Topic for simulation: How does parents language skills affect their children language skills.

When I thought about a topic that interested me I thought about language development in children ages 3-5. I feel that this is a crucial time to engage children in language skills and to help me acquire language skills at a early stage. Children need language to communicate with others but need the help of others to acquire the skills. babies are born without language, they learn to communicate by listening to the world around them. Parents can help their children learn and  develop language from the earliest days with games and books. I encourage parent to start reading to their children as early as possible. Language development  includes opportunities for social understanding, for learning about the world, for sharing experience with adults and other children.

This week research chart helped me do a literature review that will include resource to help both teachers and parents. I am learning how to use the terminology about research will be enable me do a better job a conducting research.  The literature review was sort of hard for me but as I do more research I learn what was including in the literature review. 

I would like to ask my colleagues if they have any insight  or resources to offer on  language skills in children ages 3-5 that will benefit my simulation. Thank for sharing any information on this topic. I look forward to any information you can share.