Wk 5:Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

     The consequences I might expect for the children and their families with whom I work: For them to learn more about me, others and their ways of life. I do not want any child or family that I may come in contact, to know if I do have biases or issues they will never see or feel in through conversations or communications.
   
     Throughout my life I have had to deal with te "isms" of classism, racism and maybe a few others, however I have never blamed anyone for the choices or actions that have come to me in my life and I have done the best with what I have.

      I would be more responsive to children, who's parents maybe going through a hard time financially or emotionally, due to my childhood and what my family had to go through. I feel that I would be able and willing to speak to my students about racism or any other "ism" on an age appropriate level.

      Some examples that I have experienced are dating and marrying an African-American male, I have many African-American coworkers or parents that say to me, "I didn't know you were married to an African-American", until I show them pictures. The part that puzzles me is, Is there a certain way to act if you are married to someone outside your race?

      To help others, I must put my feelings aside and deal with what is going on with the person that is seeking help. I know as a child, my family went through hard times, so that is why I am willing to go to any extent to help those that may be going through some of the same life experiences that I did as a child and a young adult.

WK 3 Observing Communication

    I observed a teacher and a kindergarten student in the Media center. They were discussing a Reading test and what the student had to fo and how imprtant it was for her to take her time and read each question, then select the correct answer.

   The teacher gave the child eye contact and made sure that the child understood the directions and the outcome if she didn't take her time and read all of the questions and answer them carefully.During the conversation, I overheard the teacher calling the students name several times, so that the child knew that the teacher was talking to her. I also seen the teacher lightly touching the students arm, I think this behavior was to help the child feel more comfortable.

    In my judgment, after reading the resources for this week, I do not feel nothing else could have been done, I feel that the communication was affirming and effective between the student and teacher. I feel that the teacher meant well, however she could have made the child more nervous by constantly reminding her of what was expected. If the student read the book and understood the questions, I feel that the student would have done well on the test. If I would have been the teacher, I would have made up my own questions similar to the test, to see if the child was prepared for the test, before taking her into the Media center to take the test.

    I always try to make eye contact with my students when speaking to them. I only say what I want to say, then I ask my students do they understand what I am asking or saying to them. I use alot of pictures and words throughout my classroom and my students know to use the pictures or words to convey the conversation at hand. If necessary, I will given my students more time to complete their sentences and give them a chance to tell their stories and then I will help them to solve their problems with my words, pictures or actions.

WK 2: 6358-1 Family Child Care Center

   I would like for my setting to be welcoming, warm and with just the right amount of light, so that the children feel safe and secure. As you enter into my family child care center, there would be a "Family tree", with all children and their families pictures on the tree, inlcuding mine, as well. I would have a parent communication board, included on that board would be a menu, daily schedules for all classrooms, and any important information that parents/families should know about the center and it should be available in all languages of the children and parents that are there.
   I love the 'Crying room" that Adriana's had in her center, that is very helpful for the new children or the childrent that have a difficult time leaving their parents or family members. I would have a "Safe place" in my center. This is an area that has soft space with pillows, crayons, paper, quiet activities and things that can help a child that may need some quiet time, can go and sit until he or she is ready to come back to the group.
   I would include labeling of all materials and/or objects in English and in any other languages of any of the other child that attend my center.  I would include pictures of adults and children with disabilities, as well as people from around the world.
   The center must include a variety of books, puzzles, music and dolls. Every child needs to be able to reflect and learn about others and just not themselves or their families. Children must have on hand, multi-cultural papers, crayons and markers. I would make sure there are multi-cultural families and community helpers that are available for boys and girls.
    Children must feel safe, loved and nurtured to develop the basic trust they need for healthy development. My goals are for children to develop a strong and positive self-concept and empathy for others through healthy intellectual, physical,social, emotional and moral development. I hope that my experiences may serve as examples for other caregivers as well (Richards).
    I also feel that all parents and families must be included in all aspects of the child care center, parents should feel comfortable enough to volunteer and enjoy the day at the center, without feeling like they are labeled or different from others.

References
“Welcome to an Anti-Bias Learning Community”
Anti-Bias education for young children and ourselves