Microaggression

The most blatant example of microaggression I witness this week was made by a principle at the school in which I teach about a four year old child.  A parent of one of my students asked to speak to me in regards to foul language her child used at home .  When the mother questioned her about such language the child stated that she heard another student in her classroom use this language.  I worked with the mom explaining how sorry I was and that I would have a tlak with the entire class about appropriate language.    

Later that day I brought the incident to my principles attention.  Her respond was “I am not surprised if …… uses such language, you’ve seen that that family, I mean where did all of those kids come from?  They look all different.  And that dad has been to jail.”   My response was … could have heard it from anywhere, her parents are very involved with her and I think she was just making a bad choice.  I left her offices feeling sad, embarrassed, offended.  I had nine siblings.  Does that mean I was allowed to watch inappropriate movies or listen to inappropriate music or use foul language?  Not with my parents or one of my elder sisters knowledge!   

The definition of culture and diversity

This assignment was more difficult than expected.  I had to come to terms with the fact that I did not agree with what people, that I consider being a part of everyday life.  They did not have the same understanding of what culture and/or diversity is as I do.   I would like to start with a female, Hispanic co-worker once I explained the reason for my questioning she seem to let her guard down.

Sandra, Mexican American, describes culture as who a person is in the inside.  It is everything that a person has learned from their parents and family.  Diversity is what I am made up of.  My Mexican heritage and traditions blended with my American traditions. .      

Ana, from Bolivia moved to America one year ago to work as an Au pair.  She describes culture as what she has learned from her mother, how to cook, clean and sew.   Diversity as sharing her food, stories, religion and love with her new family and hopefully with a husband she has just joined a dating site.

Stephanie, from Hawaii.  Proudly states that her people are proud of their believes, how they take care of each other.  Diversity is sharing those believes.  

Thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics in a concerned way.  Explaining its complexity comes with a great challenge. 

Emergency Evacuation

In case of an emergency evacuation the three items I would take with me are:

            My Joyce Meyer bible, which will give me strength to make it through another day. 
            My personal documentation, which I will need to start my new life. 
            My youngest daughter's baby books which letters and pictures of most of my loved ones. 

I would feel devastated if I was told I could only take one of the items with me.  I would keep my document file stuffing it with pages from my  bible and pictures of my loved one.

The insight I have remains the same.  Living in America can be hard but it allows me to embrace my culture.     

Reflection

When I think of research now I know longer see it as one must be a scientist to be able to conduct research.  Research is not something I should be afraid of.  Research is an enriching process by which I will gain skills.  If I have an interest I can develop my field of interest.  This class has empowered me. 

I my eyes have been opened to the power behind research.  Research is defiantly hard work but more importantly you have to be committed to your cause.  I have a new found respect for researched.  It’s not all test tubes and numbers.

The most challenging things I encountered were other professionals not showing an interest in research.  I was surprised by the, someone has already done that attitude.  However this class gave me the knowledge to explain that more of the same thing in research is good.  Numbers are power. 

My perceptions of an early childhood professional has been modified in a way that I can now connect research with early childhood as puzzles fitting to gather we need one with the other.  It is a back board to all the other pieces.  Advocating, teaching, caring…

Thank you for sharing yourself with me this class.  You have helped me grow as a professional and person.  Hope to hear from you next class!

Research Around the World

I chose to learn more about Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Developed and maintained by the University of Victoria, Canada.

http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php
http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php

The ECDVU offers virtual and face to face programs.  The ECDVU participants are nominated by early childhood development committees.   Based on the nominees commitment to early childhood development.  ECDVU goal is to improve the quality of life for children and their families in Africa.

A few of the current international research topics learned about are:

·         A Community-driven Rural Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project, with Emphasis on Culturally and Developmentally Appropriate Exploratory Learning Concepts .

·         Parents’ and Other Caregivers’ Perception of Early Childhood Development Needs and Quality: A Study of the PLAN-Assisted Programs in Ghana. 

·         Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in ECD Training and Services .

The research and work being done are very much the same here in America but on a different scale.   The common goal is responsible, hard working adults that can give back to society.  The research understanding that affordable, good early childhood programs are a must for the better of cultures, villages and the future.  They are researching programs that are working for villages, considering the culture and trying to duplicate what is working.  They are educating the parents about early childhood development.  And supportive of on- going teachers training.  Offering the ssupport of cchildren, families and community. 

If you can read this thank your childcare provider

The topic I would choose would be literacy.  In America students continue to graduate from school programs with an average 4th grade reading level.   When a person can read the chances of them graduating from high school increases.   Having a high school diploma increases the chance of a person going on to college or getting a job. Lower the crime rate and making for a better community as a whole.   What can research teach us about promoting literacy and a love of reading.

My Personal Research Journal

My chosen topic for the simulation is literacy in early childhood development.  I chose this topic because as a child I struggled with reading and it affected not just my reading, but also my spelling, writing and myself esteem.   An insight that I have gained thus far from constructing the research chart are the terms and definitions that define the process of research.  I looked up many of the websites list in chapter 2 and have found many articles about the elementary sage student.  Do we really have to wait until a child is in elementary school?  Could something have been done to help me before I was put in the low reading group?  At the library I was able to archive a few magazines and copied articles about reading.  If you know of any resources, have advice or insight that might help me with this course I would greatly appreciated it.  Warmly, Lilly B.