Wk4 Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

The example of a microaggession that I am sharing is as follows:

   I overheard another teacher working with some of the older kids during our academic time at the summer camp, I am working at for the summer. The teacher said to the African-American male student, that "If you do not tighten up and pay attention and quit letting your behavior get in your way, then you are going to be another African-American male that has a label."

   When I heard this, I had to stop what I was doing with my group and walk out into the hallway. I thought to myself, how is this child that is going to the 5th grade, know anything about African-American males and how society labels them. This student is going to the 5th grade, however he has a documented learning disability, so maybe some of his behavior is related to his disability.

It made me take a step back and look at myself and some of my actions. I have learned that even in the 21st century, our society still has issues with discrimination, prejudice and/or stereotypes.

WK 3: Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

   After speaking to three different individuals one of a different gender, one of a different race and one of a different age. There were a few aspects that were the same as in the readings from this week like: race, practices, languages and ways of life. They all three defined culture and diversity as: different races, traditions, practices, languages, and the ways others live. The individual of a different age which is a bit younger mentioned holidays and celebrations as culture.
    Some aspects omitted economics, religion, parenting patterns,  the way we eat, sleep, talk, care for the sick, relate to another, think about work, and life styles (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010).
    I have been influenced by other peoples definitions  to be open to all people and to ask questions, so that I can learn about others and how they ways of life.    
   All in all, in my judgment, I feel that we are all the same, yet different in our own ways.
    

Wk2: 6164-2: My Family Culture

The three items that I would choose to take would be:
1). A photograph of my family
2). My Bible
3). My Wedding Ring
The explanation to others of what each item means to me:
The photo shows my husband, our two sons and myself. My Bible is words of inspiration and during a catastrophe words of inspiration will be needed. My wedding ring is dear to me, it represents the bond that my husband and I have made to each other.
 My feelings on having to give up two of the three items :
I would be upset, but I would have to do whatever is asked of me to make the situation as positive as it could be. I would choose to keep my Bible, I think that being able to read the word through out this terrible time, would be very helpful. The photograph means alot, but I have the memory of my husband and children embedded in my mind and the ring is a representation of a bond and it has sentimental meaning, but it can be replaced.
Any insights that I have gained as a result of this exercise:
As I thought about the three items I would take, it was kind of difficult to decide on what to take and why. I tried to take things that were small enough to carry, but I wanted things that had some type of meaning or represented my life, my family and how all of those things are possible.

WK8 When I think of research....

1). I have gained alot of important information that is sued when researcher(s) perform a research on any topic. I learned that research is the systematic investigation of a topic or issue that is culturally specific and which seeks information and/or solutions. It can begin with a question, concern, situation or controversy.
2). My ideas about research have changed to due to the fact that it takes alot to start, work on and complete any research/study. There is alot of time, effort and patience that goes into each and every research. Once the research is started, it must be followed through so that the research can be valid and accurate.
3). The research must be well planned out, designed to meet the needs of all parties, and the research must be conducted to to the fullest, so that the information can be used to further help other early childhood or professionals in the field.
4). The biggest challenge that I met was making sure that all of the children that I chose to research were able to take soemthing away from the research all together. I just wanted to be able to help all of the children to learn something about multicultural experiences and how they can benefit everyone.
5). I have learned to be more open and patience when it comes to finding out what is best for young children and their future. There is so much that a young child should know, but as the early childhood professional I have to make sure waht is presented to them is developmentally ready for each child and if not make the proper adjustments.
I would like to thank all of my colleagues that were in Group 2 and well as Dr. Davis for all of the support, ideas and conversations. All of the help and information that was available through this course and the detailed discussions has helped me to become a more cautious early childhood professional and I will continue to have the best interest in my heart for all young children and their families.

WK5 Research Around the World

I chose http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/ to research this week.
This website has a large amount of information for any early childhood professional/teacher. Detailed information at that, I will being going back to this website to read articles and I also adding myself to the mailing list. Special Note: I was really impressed with the book that was developed for parents who have children starting school next Fall and how the parents can order the book to help them with thier child's first year in school.

 Some of the international topics that I found on this website are:
*Every child-Vol. 17 No 1 2011.
*Everyday learning about responding to the emotional needs of children.
*ECA position statement: Children of Asylum Seekers.
*AJEC Vol 36 No 1 Feb.2011.
*How does your state rate?  New report examines states' progress in early childhood reform.
*Research is Practice Series-Respecting Diversity Articulating in earlu childhood practice.
*Your child's first year at school: A book for parents-order now for 2011.
* ECA Strategic directions 2009-2011.
* Join ECA's mailing list-Stay up to date on early childhood information.

Topics such as:
*What's New on the Early Childhood Australia website.
*Free online services for the Early Childhood field.
*Free ful-text articles form quality-assured publications.
*Free newsletter.
*Open access web directory supporting best practices in EC settings.
*Latest news and developments EC news.
*Shop online -safe and secure ECA book catalogue.
*Special dates for EC ECA events calendar.

Other noteworthy information:
FACEBOOK
EYCF mailing list
Feature product
Early childhood Australia's mailing list
Child and Family web guide
Kids Matter- Australia Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative

WK3 6163 Research that Benefits Children and Families-Uplifting Stories Option 1

I chose option 1 for this week's blog assignment:

   I would like to share two research articles with my colleagues that has positively affected children and their families.The first article is "The Effects of Universal Pre-K in Oklahoma: Research Highlights and Policy Implications, CROCUS Working Paper." The authors are William T. Gormley, Jr. and Deborah Phillips. I found it on the ERIC through Walden University. The second article is " The Effects of Universal Pre-K on Cognitive Development". The authors are William T. Gormley, Jr., Ted Gayer, Deborah Phillips and Brittany Dawson. T found it on the ERIC through Walden University.
   I found this articles exciting and they both gave an enormous amount of information on the effects of an Universal Pre-K program and how they effect children and families. Anyone that is interested in Pre-K or Cognitive Development would gain information from these two articles.

Wk 2 6163 Your Personal Research Journey

   The topic I chose for the simulation is: Diversity in Early Childhood Education. I chose this topic due to the fact that I have been teaching in the Georgia Lottery Pre-K program since Georgia received the Pre-K in 1993. Over the years, I have observed many different cultures and diversity in the classrooms thorughout child care centers as well as the public school settings. I have had the pleasure to work with many children that speak more than one language as well as with their parents. Along with this, there has been a lack of translators for me to talk to parents one on one, so we have to resort to using the child(ren) to translate the conversations. I would much rather, have a parent-teacher conference with just myself and the parent, so that the cvhild (ren) are not involved in that process.
   I love the research chart, I am able to get a better understanding of terms used and their defintions, a highlight that caught my attention, that allows me to expand on the topic and give a personal comment and I can hose a reflection question to reflect on and write about. I also love the article "A practical guide to reading research articles", the information that is throughout this package is useful and makes reading articles and journals easier and I feel that I have gained more information by just using the suggestions within the handout, than I would have reading the whole article or journal.
   I would like for all of my colleagues to know that I am open to any ideas or suggestions that will help me to benefit more than ever with this class, so that I can carry it with me throughout the rest of my time at Walden University. The only advice that I would give to any of you, is to read, read, read!  I have found that over the time here at Walden University, the most important thing is to be sure to read any and all materials that is provided my the instructor of the class. The resource that I would share when it comes to writing journal reviews or any application is if you are unsure, ask!
   If any one has any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to post. I am open to any help with this class. I am open due to the fact that whatever I learn from this class and any other well only be for me to provide better high quality programs for the young children in my care or that I am affliated with.