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

Wk 8 What I have learned

     One hope that I have when it comes to me working with children and families,s that I set a positive and honest example for them. I must take into consideration what is best for all parties and think and plan for the future of those I am working with or for.

     One goal that I am setting for the early childhood field when it comes to children and families with issues relating to diversity, equity and social justice is: Is to be open and honest with myself and those involved. To be able to give children and families the required support, resources and/or materials that they made need at any time.

     To all of my colleagues, it is great feeling within my heart to know that like myself, there are other individuals that seek to help young children and families within our society. We are fighting a tough battle, but if we as early childhood educators and professionals stay strong and focus, we can help those who need help. I am sad to see this class end, however I am excited about being 2 classes away form completing my Master's program. Good luck and best wishes to all of you!

WK 7 CREATING ART

   

This is what I have learned from this course. Early Childhood Educators can help young children COPE with bias, discomfort and trauma. We have to do it for the children. Taking care of them now and they will take care of us in the future!                  

WK 6 "We Don't Say Those Words In Class!"

   I could not think or recall a time when this situation happened with me and my son's, however my co-teacher gave me a situation with her and her middle school aged son.
   Last spring Ms. R and her son Z were on a field trip with his 7th grade class at the Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta, Ga. Ms. J said, "As they walked through the museum looking at the artifacts throughout the museum, "her son "Z" said really loud in front of other students and chaprones, "Wow, look at that UPS man, why is her wearing his shorts about his knees," Z continued with, "Look everybody he looks gay with those shorts on." Ms. R said, "The UPS man looked at the group and just shook his head.
   Ms. R said, "Z that is the requirements of the company UPS", it identifies the company, as well it is woren for professional reasons and that what he said, "Was not appropriate."
   That certain companies require their employees to have certain dress codes and there is nothing wrong with the employees shorts.
    An anti-bias educator, could have explained that we should judge or talk about someone, just because they wear their shorts differently than other people. This educator could have gave examples of other companies that require certain dress codes and the importance of looking nice, decent and respectful for the company that people work for.

Wk 3 6357-6

   My response that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books that contain gay, lesbian or same sex families, every child should be accessible to all books, regardless of who is in the books, every early childhood classroom should be diversified and this will help each child to developed a positive identity of not only themselves, but those around them. Each child must be given the opportunity to learn about all people, as early childhood professionals, we know that we are their first experience to the outside world, so I do not see what books about gays, lesbians or same sex families, should not be included.
    If I was told that a parent/family member did not want their child to be cared for, educated by or interacted with: I would be apalled, just because a person is homosexual or transgender does not mean that they are not capable of caring for young children. Once again, the early childhood field must have diversity not only from sex, race or gender. Children will benefit from all people, it should not matter who the person is,  that is taking care of the children. My concern is what they do in the classroom with the child and that they have the best interest for the young child at heart.