Final thoughts as I close out EDUC 6164
One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)
I hope that I can take all the information and ideas that I received throughout this course into this upcoming school year. I hope that I can get my support staff to buy into the anti-bias approach as well.
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)
I would like to see the early childhood field become the leaders in diversity and equity in education. We are often the families first experience with formal education and have the ability to make lasting impacts.
A brief note of thanks to your colleagues
I have especially enjoyed this course. To hear the life experiences of each of you have broadened my perspective on people. I would like to thank you all for sharing your point of views and also for encouraging me to keep going. I was going through a rough week a few weeks ago ( I lost my bestfriend and had to see my lil brother off to Afganistan)and a classmate for the other group reached out to me unknowlingly and motivated me to keep going. E. Bryne THANK YOU!
Add comment August 20, 2011 mscland
Week 4 Microaggressions
Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?
In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people
This week I had my ear and eye out for any examples of microaggression. Anytime I learn a new concept or skill I try to discuss it or practice it this one was know different.
I workout every morning at the pool in my community and have met a few interesting people. One of which is woman,Lisa Marie, who can be described as a southern White woman. Lisa Marie seems to have attached herself to me and lets me know on every meeting that she has adopted a little boy from Africa and that we should hang out. She has made little comments on how active he can be and how she’s sure I’m use to it etc. etc. My friend and I have thought her conversations a little odd but I think about them know as a mild form of microaggression. She has connected this child’s behavior (wild, loud, ALL boy) with his African heritage. I guess in her mind I would know how to handle it because I’m a woman who looks to be of African American heritage. She made a comment that she would like him to play with other African like children and maybe I could help her. I felt a little overwhelmed by her conversations because it’s so many issues that come to mind that I would like to share with her. However, because the nature of our connection is that of a stranger or neighbor I can’t. I don’t like the assumptions being made based on the fact that I share the same skin color as a child she has adopted. It makes me feel sad for the child that she didn’t do the necessary work on herself before she adopted outside of her culture. I do understand from the video and course discussions that her intentions are from a good place and that she has no idea that her treating me like the subject matter expert on African children is offensive. I am the mother of African American or Black children and I share the same heritage so my experience is and cannot be like hers. Instead of avoiding her and changing my pool time I think I may have one of those “tough” conversations with her. It would begin with the I’m not African and no very little about the culture…but I would like to. Perhaps that would help her.
Add comment July 23, 2011 mscland
Perspective on Diversity and Culture-Conversations with Friends
For this assignment:
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.).
Ask each person to share:
Their definition of culture
Their definition of diversity
Person Number 1-Naya’ Hri Zaire Suhalia was born Latasha Jones(Southern California) and renamed in the Yoruba faith in her 20’s. I chose her because she is a traveling artist who identifies as both male and female. She has an African American and Polynesian ethnic background.
Her responses were as followed : “Culture to me is about the traditions & societal behaviors of a certain group of people. Diversity to me…is everything & everyone, because everything & one is somehow unique in it’s own way, even with twins & the like”.
Person 2: Christian Matlock, Male, age 19, African American Marine. Christian is the youngest of 5 children and grew up in one of my families so he shares my military “brat” gypsy experience. I chose him because he is very patriotic and traditional. He is also one of the only adult young African American males I have access to. His answers were as follows: “Culture-Customs, courtesies, and traditions within the society you are a member to. Diversity- Having a mixture of different cultures within a society coexisting together”.
Person 3: Ashley McLamb- a 24 year old, White female, has resided in a small North Carolina her entire life, has a biracial child (Hispanic and White). I chose to ask her because she has expressed concerns about raising her daughter in her small town as a child of color. Her responses were as follows: ” Culture- I don’t really know because I don’t have one, I’m just from a hick town which I hate we have no culture. I want my daughter to know her Hispanic culture but there is no way she can if I don’t move to a bigger city. Diversity- Diversity is accepting people’s differences and treating them all the same. It’s not judging someone because they can’t hear or because their skin is different. It’s about welcoming all people. I want my daughter to be welcomed and not looked at different or me”.
Then reflect on the answers you received and ask yourself:
Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?
The concept of culture and diversity is a difficult one for some people to talk about as discussed in both the text and classroom discussions. A huge example of this was the responses I got to two simple questions. I initiated discussion with 15 of my colleagues,family members, friends, and random associates that are traditionally good communicators and all but 4 shyed away. Half of which told me they couldn’t help me because they didn’t know what they thought culture was because they didn’t have any. We talked about surface culture in our text and I found that most of the answers I received defined culture on that basic level. Naya’Hri Zaire Suhalia however used a term societal behaviors that could include many elements found in examining deep culture. Ashley interestingly enough didn’t feel as if she had a culture so she couldn’t define it. The text made reference to people not noticing their culture as seen in Ashley. Chistian’s definition of culture and diversity appear to be surface and very traditional. However, the traditions include the role of gender, children, and extended family relations. I know that there are certain expectations in our family that create the culture of being not only Christian being a Black Male but a Matlock.
Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?
The aspect of religion was omitted from all of the discussions. I was surprised because Naya’Hri Zaire Suhalia practices the Yoruba faith and is big on speaking out on people not respecting her religious differences. She travels the world to network with others in her faith however, did not include it. Diversity was addressed in terms of different cultures co existing and the acceptances of others by my interviewees.
In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?
Gathering the different definitions of culture and diversity helped me to see on a small scale that people that have not developed a cultural identity cannot fully understand the concept of culture and diversity. It lets me know that I have to celebrate and talk about my aspects of my deep culture so that people know its not just the food and holidays.
Add comment July 17, 2011 mscland
Stranded in a New Country
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 WOULD TAKE A SMALL PHOTO ALBUM FILLED WITH PICTURES AND MOMENTOS OF MY ANCESTORS AND CHILDREN.
I chose a small photo album because I have always enjoyed looking back on pictures of my family and recalling the things that happened or the stories that I was told that went with the pictures or momentos. Much of my history is recorded in photographs taken throughout the years. I would want to remember what my home look liked and how my life was. My childhood home was burned down years ago and what I miss most is the photo albums.
– I would also bring a IPaD(with loaded with favorite music and video clips. The songs would include lots of gospel, blues, rap (Texas, Louisiana style), Disney popstars for my kids and nickledeon theme songs. I would also load the Bible and loaded other books.
Although I don’t own an IPAD yet! I KNOW it would be one of the first things I threw in my purse when it would be time to evacuate. Although it doesn’t replace an actual physical book, bible, cd, or picture its a close enough replica. I would need to have access to music from back in the day. There is a song that reminds me of almost every person or time in my life. Much of our culture is rooted in music. The old time gospel music reminds me of my greatgrandma and the old men in her church. The blues reminds me of Ms. Johnnie Mae and drinking her icehouse on the front porch. Hearing the Spongebob theme song reminds me of the hours my kids spent watching that madness. I would access my downloaded copy of the bible to reflect and meditate on the word and to also share it with my children in the event it was not available in our new country.
-A small blanket
A chose a small blanket because it seemed like I would need something soft and comforting from home. A blanket or quilt was always seen on the back or arm of a chair or foot of the bed.
Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you a
After loosing my home, my family, my country, I couldn’t imagine loosing one more thing. These items were chosen but by no means enough to make me comfortable in a new place. I think I would have to really struggle with this because all three things are the only link I would have to my old home other than the people in my family that came with me. I would easily give up the blanket but the photo album would be heartbreaking because even though pictures are loaded onto the Ipad they don’t replace the pages you can turn or images you can feel. I would still choose the IPAD pending my new country was equipped with power for me to recharge my device.
Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,
I am deeply connected to my ancestors and family through images, music, and literature. I would need access to each of these to feel complete. Much of my history is untraceable but our stories lie in our music. It can be traced back to the old hymns to modern day r&b/hip hop. This excercise made me think of my children and the many things they to learn about who we are in this country.
1 comment July 9, 2011 mscland
When I Think of Research….
Insights:
Quantitative and Qualitative research designs are no longer a foreign concept to me.
In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
I had an idea in my head that research in early childhood involved child development theories or teaching strategies. I hadn’t given much consideration to the “smaller” projects such as (routine, parent involvement, literacy) that are simple for a novice researcher to begin.
What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
That’s easy….planning and designing is the most importmant thing to the whole process because in these stategies you’re research topic is in constant evolution. I changed or altered my topic with every assignment because as I learned more the more I realized my errors.
What were some of the challenges you encountered-and what ways did you meet them?
I was challenged in the beginning with my topic. I was so passionate about my topic that I couldn’t narrow it down. Dr. Ferrari’s feedback and the course text helped me see that while a topic can have you’re interest it has to be workable for the time limit and resources available. I then took my original topic and thought about ways to still meet that need but on a smaller scale.
What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
I had NEVER explored this aspect of the early childhood field and as with any change I felt some discomfort along the way. I have an increase in pride in my chosen profession because along with the other hats I’ve known we wear, I can now had scientist to the list! I feel better equiped as a early childhood professional to not only understand research that I read but to conduct it myself.
I would like to thank my colleagues for their virtual support and to those that shared their course documents in the forum. The honesty shared in the discussion boards in regards to research helped me to not feel alone in my discovery of this new “territory”. I also want to thank our instructor for her feedback! I felt like I was back in my old university “meeting” about my project. VERY HELPFUL and challenging!
Add comment June 25, 2011 mscland
Research Around the World- Desitination Australia!
I explored Early Childhood Australia it is indeed very similiar to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Current Research Topics include:
*Marry the prince or stay with the family-that is the question: A perspective of young Korean immigrant girls on Disney marriages in the United States (I thought this was interesting from the sense that they specified the Korean culture. I sometimes wonder if my students obsessions with the Disney fantasies are helpful.)
* Partnerships in learning
*Early childhood teachers coping with educational change
*Parental responses to bully in Kindergarten
*Intergrating literature and music for young children
*Lesbian mothers’ experience of child care
Surprising facts/insights:
I was surprised to see and read about so many topics related to diversity. And not one said anything about the bridging the “achievement gap”. It almost seems that its an unspoken we do these things and intentionally reach these diverse students so that we can motivate them. I plan to stay involved in this website as minority achievment issues is one that I’m familiar and interested in.
Add comment June 5, 2011 mscland
Week 3
If I could conduct any research it would be on including children with Autism or other PDD disorders into a general preschool program. (This idea is inspired by my students who have limited options in terms of childcare in our community due to their diagnosis of Autism or some other PDD disorder)I would observe classrooms that had all children with a spectrum disorder, inclusive classrooms, and general preschool classrooms. I think that if we took what we found that “worked” for some teachers/programs. It would influence other programs to open their doors to children with Autism. I see a great need in the private childcare sector in my area to create inclusive environments for children with disabilities. The overall answers families receive from childcare centers is “no, we don’t have the resources to meet your child’s needs”. My imaginary study would blow them away with the simple modifications that they could do to help not only children with Autism but all children. Teachers often need examples, tools, and supports to feel confident teaching a new population. This “study” would give them that!
1 comment May 23, 2011 mscland
My personal research journey
The hardest part of this research simulation has been narrowing down my topic. I am passionate about so many things when it comes to young children. However, my biggest interest lies in social justice issues and how they effect children. My topic began with children in diverse families. I broke this down to children of same gender couples, multi racial, and children of incarcerated parents.
Reading Chapter 2 helped me see the need to focus more specifically on a research question. I also realized I had to come up with an operational definition to what “diverse” meant for this study. I wanted this study to be something I could share with other EC professionals to impact how they create inclusive environments in their classrooms. So I thought to start with the easiest thing for educators that are slow to “change” and thats children literature!
My research topic will explore how children in diverse families respond to themselves in children’s literature. For the purpose of my research “diverse” will be defined as cultural, ability, linguistically, or family composition. I am always open for ideas on really good bibliotherapy books or your experiences with this topic. It is my hope that my findings will inspire other teachers to use literature as a stepping stool for creating anti bias classrooms
Add comment May 15, 2011 mscland
Consequences of International Early Childhood Contacts
3 Consequences of International Early Childhood Contacts
1- I gained knowledge from diverse professionals- In my first podcast I listened to a woman in Belize talk about the issues affecting the orphaned children in her country and how her agency sought to remedy the situation by providing them warm and inviting home environments. I specifically found it interesting that each child was assigned a primary caregiver to connect with them.
2- I realized that some problems are universal to all at risk children regardless to their geographical location such as limited access to quality early care.
3- I gained knowledge of strategies to embrace linguistically diverse populations.
A new goal I have formed is to continue to watch the podcast and reach out to my colleagues in other countries. I also, have really embraced the way several islands in the pacific have embraced language diversity by something so simple as greeting each child in their mother language and having simple rhymes or stories told in their home language.
Add comment April 27, 2011 mscland
Consequences of International Early Childhood Contacts
3 Consequences of International Early Childhood Contacts
1- I gained knowledge from diverse professionals- In my first podcast I listened to a woman in Belize talk about the issues affecting the orphaned children in her country and how her agency sought to remedy the situation by providing them warm and inviting home environments. I specifically found it interesting that each child was assigned a primary caregiver to connect with them.
2- I realized that some problems are universal to all at risk children regardless to their geographical location such as limited access to quality early care.
3- I gained knowledge of strategies to embrace linguistically diverse populations.
A new goal I have formed is to continue to watch the podcast and reach out to my colleagues in other countries. I also, have really embraced the way several islands in the pacific have embraced language diversity by something so simple as greeting each child in their mother language and having simple rhymes or stories told in their home language.
Add comment April 27, 2011 mscland
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Candace's journey in Early Childhood Studies 