Welcoming Families From Around the World 

 My early childhood setting takes place within a child care center. I have received word that the child of a family who has recently emigrated from a country I know nothing about will join my group soon. In preparation, I prepare myself to welcome the child and her family. Luckily, I have enrolled in a course about diversity and have learned that in order to support families who have immigrated I need to know more than surface facts about their country of origin.

The name of the country of origin I chose is “Aruba”.  This is a country that I know little about except that many Americans tour this country and I have heard that the weather is beautiful. I wanted to know more about the culture, people and country to see what it has to offer.

Some of the ways in which I can prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards the family is that I would begin to read about the culture and language via various resources.  I would look to find what significance the country and culture has.  In particular, the country is both multi-lingual and multi-cultural. There are 4 different languages spoken to include, Dutch, Spanish, Papiamento, and English.  Familiarizing myself with some of the basic terminology in these languages (English, Dutch and Spanish) would be a start and would help me to understand the family dynamics. Another approach would be to learn of some of the cultural meanings. I would find and gather items that represent the country and place them in the day care room and ensure that the family/child has some things that they can identify with that is familiar to them. I would also see if I could find someone that is familiar with the culture/language and probe and ask questions that would help me to communicate and understand the family better.  I would also want to find out more about the family and would have them fill out a questionnaire prior to me meeting with them. This would help me to at least see ahead of time some of the family’s interests and needs which would help with the interview and personal contact.  

 All of these practices will allow me to become better prepared, acquainted and possibly feel more at ease if I prepared ahead of time and take the time to find out about the family. Learning about their likes, dislikes, customs, and/or things that we may do or not do that may be offensive is well worth exploring prior to my visit with the family. 

 

 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

One experience that I would like to personally share is many years ago when my oldest daughter was younger we took a family vacation to Disney World. At the time, my daughter was probably about three or four years of age and was in a stroller.  As you can imagine the theme park can be overcrowded with droves and droves of people.  During this time the parade was just getting started and my daughter could not see all of the Disney characters because she was in the stroller. As people normally do, we pushed our way into the crowd so that we could get a good view.  As all the people were moving forward there was this white man who was beside me who blurted out “stay in the back where you belong you black bi---” and pushed me forward into the crowd.  Well needless to say, my husband who was behind me did not take to kindly to this as he reacted and pushed the man back and told him not to put his hands on his wife. The man then glared at my husband and continued to push his way to the other side into the crowd. 

This particular incident diminished equity when the man called me out of my name. His deliberate racial behavior, attitude and statement removed all opportunities to promote peace. This deliberate hostile act is known as a microassault which was discussed during Dr. Sue’s media segment on micro-aggressions (Laureate Education, 2011).

The emotional feelings that I experienced on that day was that of anger, fear and sadness. I became angry because this man disrespected me and thought that it was okay to call me out of my name and then push me. I was also angry because he thought that he was in some way superior to me and that hatred was in his heart. My heart became fearful because my husband became enraged and pushed him back in order to protect me.  I was afraid that this was going to lead into a bad situation. So I calmed my husband down and talked him into not taking this incident any further. It took me a while to let that incident go but I was saddened by the fact that racism still existed and that this man had this amount of hatred and anger in his heart.   

In this situation in order to bring about equity the man that pushed me would have had to have a softened heart. His behavior and superiority mentality of how he viewed me as a black woman would have had to change. However, I chose to not stay angry and not to hold a grudge against this man and others that are ignorant just as he was. I chose not to develop and or hold onto racial attitudes and behaviors because I had a bad experience and a victim of someone else's prejudices. I believe that this situation helped me to grow and become more tolerant of other people’s ignorance.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week’s blog assignment was interesting to me as I was able to learn about the topic of micro aggressions and its impact it has on so many individuals, class, gender, and races, etc.  I’ve learned that some behaviors and remarks are unintentional and some are regarded as intentional/deliberate prejudices that people have and think about others. During this week’s observations, I was able to witness a form of “microaggression” that was played out as a deliberate insult towards a particular person. One of my colleagues whose office is next to mine is a heavy-set white female who is working on losing weight and is doing a great job at it. She works out every day and is consistent at it.  She has lost a tremendous amount of weight and is still keeping her goals before her. This week I overheard two of her employees talking and laughing about her and how she works out all the time and is still heavy. The comment and assumption made by one lady was that she is fat and they can bet on it that her house is not clean and that she is a “lazy” person.  This was a microaggression in the form of a microassault with an assumption and/or prejudice against fat  and/or heavy-set people.

My emotion towards this assumption was that I was a little taken aback with the comment made. I felt like the comment was unfair and that they should give her more credit for her discipline in sticking to working out and eating properly because my colleague has been working on her weight for a little over a year and has and is looking good. She shared with me that she enjoys food but her health was getting the best of her and that she needed to work on herself. Sometimes people’s assumptions and judgment on others are inconsiderate and harsh. I also felt that they made an unfair judgement about her. To assume that her home is unclean and that she is lazy is unfair. She actually is a very organized person and when it comes to her weight this is something she struggles with as we all have some issues that we need to work on.

My observation this week has reminded me that our society has a long way to go and that people are cruel, and are prejudice. I have been subject to prejudices as a victim and as an unintentional offender. However, when I read of and am reminded of their existence it makes me do better and become a better person in keeping my comments and assumptions to myself. But more importantly, it allows me to be open minded, compassionate and accepting of others even the more.

 

 Perspectives On Diversity and Culture 

  

This week's blog assignment allowed me the opportunity to sit and talk to three friends/colleagues on their perspectives on diversity and culture and how it relates to their world. Many of the responses were similar but because each person is unique in their own rite, expression of their culture and diversity took on a different meaning. 


My initial discussion took place with one of my colleagues whose responses and ideas were similar to what I have read during this past week. She stated, "culture is important because it is what we bring into our families. Things such as my traditions, holidays that I celebrate or choose not to celebrate, my traits and/or behaviors that I have. I think they are the way in which I act and/or respond to certain situations. My interaction and my beliefs and religion. My culture is my connection to self and my family's roots.  Her perspective on diversity is that, "it is being able to adapt to the environment and people you are around and being accepting of others. It is a way of connecting with people"(M. Hemington, personal communication, Nov 12, 2015). 
 
My second conversation consisted of a discussion with my friend who is a Reading Specialist and Elementary School teacher. Her perspective regarding culture and diversity as an African American female. She states, "culture is the make up of characteristics that are shared within families and relationships. They represent beliefs, views and standards that are practiced and applied to families. It also means being proud to be part of a family/culture that represents who we are.  My definition of diversity for me simply means a melting pot of differences"(S.Thompson, personal communication, Nov 11, 2015).  

  
My last discussion was done with my friend/colleague who shared her experience growing up in America and in an area that was not diverse in culture and ethnicities. She states, "culture to me is everything. It means the way in which my grandmother woke us up in the morning to the way in which we celebrated holidays. It also represented our communicative ways with others. It affected the clothes that we were allowed to wear or not, and the way in which we traveled on vacations. I believe diversity is being able to see beyond color and gender. But being able to look into people's thoughts, actions, and their soul of who they are. Growing up, I was not able to see different ethnicities but after the age of 12, I was able to really see the world and see other people that were also part of a world that I had no idea of. I enjoy the differences that people have (T. Heath, personal communication, Nov 13, 2015). 
  

One aspect that I was surprised that was not mentioned is the aspect of food. Food is usually a huge expression of culture. Regardless of the ethnicity, many cultures enjoy sharing this part of their heritage. Food is a way of sharing and building relationships with individuals. Another aspect that was not mentioned but is of importance is religion. Culture does also represent religion. This is big for me as this represents my faith. There are many individuals that do not really practice and/or believe what I believe but this is what makes us different and does affect "diversity".  
 

In conducting these discussions and receiving feedback from my colleagues, I have been influenced by the fact that culture and diversity has different meanings and understanding for many people in different ways. It was interesting to hear my colleagues discuss and share about their personal life experiences and express their feelings on their concepts and share their experiences. I've enjoyed learning of and getting to know my colleagues in a more personal view as they shared their perspectives. Again, for me, accepting people as they are and being open and willing to let them express who they are is something that I am comfortable with doing. 

 

                                                   

MY FAMILY CULTURE 

 

Never in a million years would I imagine having to go through a major catastrophe such as what has been described during this week's blog assignment. However, there have been many people and families that have experienced this situation of being displaced and having to start all over. The three items that would be near to my heart that would represent my family culture would be as follows: 

 

• The first item I would grab would be my scrap book of all our family photos. Within this book would be all of our family pictures that would represent my family heritage. This scrap book would include pictures of family members from my maternal and paternal side of the family.   
• The next item for me would be my "bible" that was given to me by my mother over some 30 plus years ago.      
• The next item would be my grandmother's wedding ring that was given to me by my dad. It represents her legacy, as I did not have the opportunity to meet her. She passed away before I was born and since I was the only daughter on my father's side this was passed down to me.     

For those that would be interested in knowing my story, I would take the time to share with them each of the three memorabilia's and the story of why and how each are significant. I would start with my family photos and share who each one is in our family. I would then share about my bible and how it has impacted my life. The last thing I would share would be the piece of jewelry that was given to my by my dad and that it represents my grandma's legacy.

My feelings would be very emotional if I had to choose only one of the items. All would be hard to leave behind as each one represents a part of my life and culture. My pictures would help me be reminded of the images and faces of family members that are a part of our family. My bible would represent my faith walk. And, my grandmother's piece of jewelry would help remember who she is.

As a result of this exercise, I have been reminded of just how precious life is and at one drop of a dime life can be interrupted with a catastrophe. However, through the years and with the encouragement of many strong men and women, I have been given the gift of "faith" and hope in Christ. This experience for me and my family has been our cultural experience that has been handed down from many generations. I realize that not all people and cultures practice my religion, but this is my cultural experience that makes me unique and different from others.

                                           When I Think of Research...
 
During the past 8 weeks of Building Research and Competencies, I have learned a wealth of knowledge concerning the research design process.  There were many new insights that I had no knowledge of, but became familiar with the concepts that would help conduct a research study. I was able to familiarize the differences between quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approach. I've learned the various types of the triangulation process that helps to validate a research study. Topics such as ethics and many other approaches which all helped me to understand the process. 

My ideas about research has changed tremendously.  I had no idea about the amount of time and effort that goes into initiating and formulating a study. Learning step by step methods and approaches in bringing the study altogether from beginning to end. There are so many check and balances that need to be measured and so many ways to try to prove the methods for accuracy.

I've have learned valuable approaches in the planning, designing, conducting and most importantly the relationship connection which is so important. My biggest challenge was actually narrowing my research question down during the two weeks that required us to find a quantitative and qualitative question regarding our topic.  Each week I found myself refining and changing my question.  I like the fact that my classmates were able to provide feedback and also helped me to see my question and their approach from a different perspective.
 
Some of the ways that my perception of an early childhood professional have been modified as  a result of this course is that I have learned to see research in a different light.  I know that I am required to remain open and as a life-long learner in the field of early childhood.  As a professional, in my everyday world I have to intently think about and stay abreast of the various issues and trends that impact the early childhood field in terms of research and more. 

 I  would like to say thank you to all of my colleagues who participated in this group and a big thank you to Dr. Parrish who challenged us and pushed us to think beyond the research process during these past 8 weeks of class. 

                                                  
 RESEARCH AROUND THE WORLD

This week's Blog Assignment required that we navigate through several international Early Childhood websites that were of interest. I selected, the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA). This organization is said to be the largest international early childhood organization and is comparable to that of the National Accreditation for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 
In review of the site, some of the current international topics I found were topics that talked about, gender differences and the male/female roles in early childhood education, the use of technology with children under five years of age, video observations of children's perspectives on their lived experiences and challenges in relationships between researcher and children, scaffolding and how to increase development and also articles on the influence of children and play. Their website offers a host of journals filled with research articles in early childhood and development. 
     Some surprising facts that I've gleaned is that the organization offers authors the opportunity to have their work published and read. Information that is posted and archived on the international site is selective and is one of four early years journal indexed by the Institute for Scientific Information.
     Other noteworthy information I found on the website is that the site offers a section titled "Special Issues" or monographs. This link offers archived articles that focus on topics or developments in the early childhood field such as:
    1). up-to-date overview of current knowledge and developments in the field, and an evaluation of relevant empirical studies
    2). presentation of new developments, applications or policy implications.
    3). the development of new research methodology

These topics all provide insight on new developments within the early childhood field within an international scope. In addition, the site offers other information regarding various cultural differences that affect many ethnicities and many countries. 

References:

European Early Childhood Education Research Association (2015). Retrieved from,

         http://www.eecera.org/journal/