Microaggression Awareness

As I read this week’s assignments I was not really convinced that I would actually observe an example to write about…

As I was talking with one of the teachers at my children’s before and after school program she started to tell me about what her and her family were doing for Thanksgiving.  She said

“We are having Thanksgiving dinner at my parent’s house and my Aunt is bringing

 some friends with them.  They are from Japan so they probably don’t even speak English.”

She spoke about how it may be awkward and then continued on with her plans for Thanksgiving.  I immediately thought about this assignment during the conversation.  I guess I was somewhat surprised when I heard her make the comment.  She is a younger teacher and I guess because of her own personal circumstances I just thought that she would be more open to diversity.  I certainly do not think that she had meant to marginalize that family’s heritage but I also do not believe that if she was to take a step back and hear herself make that comment she would truly understand what she had said either.

From what I have learned this week this would be an example of a microinsult in which the statement is unintentional but demeans a person’s racial heritage (Laureate, 2011).  I think that is what is so hard to swallow about microaggressions.  They can be unintentional but can hurt to the core of one’s being and can be so damaging.  It is our job to empower children to be open about their differences whether it be cultural, religious, of sexual orientation, etc. and be proud of who they are.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011).  Microaggressions in Everyday Life.   Video retrieved from    http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn? CourseID=6060903&Survey=1&47=7539640&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

This week we were asked to reach out to at least three  individuals and ask them their definitions of CULTURE and DIVERSITY.  I decided to post this question on Facebook to see what type of response I would get.  I have not gotten too much feedback yet but did get the following replies:

My cousin Christopher  is currently living in South Korea. He is 24 years old and  teaches english to elementary school aged children. 

Culture: what defines a particular people or society as a whole by unique ways that both separates them from other peoples but brings those who share in the same experiences together.

Diversity: having many different people from different cultural backgrounds together in one place.

My older brother Bob (38), a father to four wonderful children and Lt. Colonel in the Air Force.  He adds: "what defines" equates to one's beliefs and values.

My husband’s cousin Kelly is a Special Education Teacher and her response to this post was:

I hear diversity and I think about the different ways that kids learn...visual learners, auditory learners. I think about how you have to diversify instruction to reach all children.

Each of the responses in some way touched on aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied thus far in this course.  For example, unique ways that separates but brings some together, beliefs and values, ways in which children learn.

Some aspects that were omitted from the definitions were those “surface” examples that I thought most thought of immediately like race, gender, etc.

This week’s assignments has challenged me to dig a little deeper and think deeper when it comes to focusing on diversity and culture. There is so much more to someone that what we see on the outside.  I believe if we start teaching children at a young age to accept these difference and we can help them to approach the world with open minds and hearts.



My Family Culture

YOU NEED TO EVACUATE...

Imagine the following:

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

As I sit here thinking about the three things I would bring my thought process goes from first not knowing where to begin and then quickly realizing that I have to narrow down my choices because I can only bring THREE items.   My three items that I would want to take with me are:

1.       My wedding ring – This is a strong representation of both faith and family…two of the most important things in my life.

2.       Family photo album that would have pictures of our wedding, the birth of our children, family holidays and traditions captured, and numerous other pictures.

3.       Documents – I would make sure that I had all of our birth certificates and social security cards to prove who we are and may need if we were to return to our country again.

Upon arrival to this new destination I am told that I can only keep one of these items.  I would imagine that I would be devastated to have to leave behind even more of who I am, but I think I would choose to keep the photo album.  Growing up I can remember spending many hours with both of my grandparents flipping through photo albums and listening to stories.  I believe that so much can be learned about someone and their family culture through pictures.  For me this family album would capture all those moments that could describe all those memories and family values that I could not replace.

Doing this assignment reaffirms the importance of both faith and family to me.  My memories of sitting with family and looking at pictures and listening stories are ones that I will never forget.   I hope to be able to one day sit with my children and their new families that they have started and flip through family photo albums and share stories that they can pass along too.

When I Think of Research...

It is hard to believe that another eight weeks have gone by.  I remember taking a research class in my undergraduate class and not feeling that comfortable with the research process.  I have enjoyed how this one presented research in much more user friendly approach.  It is also great to look back on the process from starting with an initial topic, breaking it down into subtopics, developing a precise research question and now this week submitting the final research outline. What I liked most was the layout and how each week built upon the next.  I feel like I have learned a lot from this class and will take away so many valuable insights to doing research.  Current research can help guide us in our own pursuits but it is important to be able to sift through the information that is out there and to know what comes from valid trustworthy sites. In the past I had found reviewing literature to be very challenging.  In the first week of class we were given a wonderful tool, A practical guide to reading research articles. (Lepuschitz, 2011)  This piece has been so helpful for me to know exactly which parts of the articles are important to pay attention to.  I have found that the process is much easier than from my first experience.

My perception as an early childhood professional has been strengthened from this course in that we are advocates for children and their families.  Through research we can continue to provide what is in their best interests and is fair and just to all.  

Lepuschitz, J.K. (2011). A practical guide to reading research articles.  Laureate Education Inc., Baltimore, MD.

Research around the World

As seen from previous courses in the MECS program, ground-breaking research in the field is happening not only in the United States but all over the world.  I have chosen to explore the website that is in comparison similar to the NAEYC website found here in the US. 

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/



Some of the current research topics that are being studied include:                     

·         Respecting diversity

·         Learning and teaching through play

·         Dealing with bullying together

·         Engaging families: Building strong communication

·         Aggression and young children

Not surprising at all, the topics that were listed were all very similar to much of the leading research that is being studied here in the United States today.  We all seem to be on the same page in regards to understanding and enhancing the learning that is capable at such a young age and providing quality programming that addresses the individual needs of each child.

I thought it would be interesting to look further into the topic of Learning and teaching through play since this is my chosen topic of study.  The website provides several links to this topic including current research that has been done. 

The link under Research in Practice Series provides literature in regards to play.  It discusses how the interactions between student and teacher are so important during times of play.  Teachers need to stay engaged with the children and prompt opportunities for continued learning by asking open-ended questions in regards to the play.  The literature also provided benefits to play of different developmental areas:

Ø  Cognitive skills (thinking, memory) and Creativity skills

Ø  Social and Emotional – helps children with developing social skills and building positive relationships

Ø  Well- being – fit mental health

Ø  Promotes good Physical health

As professionals I think that it is important to our learning and continued development that we reach out and look for similarities or extensions to current studies on early childhood development.  We are all looking to better the field and provide quality experiences for all children and we can provide support for each other as we move forward.

THE BABY BRAIN MAP

Zero to Three provides current research with the latest discoveries that promotes health and development for Infants and Toddlers. 

I continually find myself referencing this website for current information.  Now with our newest addition that joined us this week I am able to keep track of his brain development through his first 36 months of life.  With the information that is provided I am able to learn what is taking place and ideas that we can do to help in the healthy development of our little guy.  For example, “Does responding to a baby’s cry help with brain development” – The brain is greatly influenced by interactions with the environment in which a child grows up in.  Crying is described as maybe nature’s way to make sure that an infant is getting the interactions that they need.  As we know from research snuggling, talking, singing or music are great examples of interactions that will help in early stages of brain development (Zero to Three, 2011).

I am excited to follow along as our little one grows and develops.  Knowing that each child is different I know that I will continue to reference this website frequently for suggestions and answers to the “whys” that will follow.

Melmed, M. (2011). Zero to three. Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/



My Research Journey

I have chosen to focus my research on the topic of play.  I feel that it is important to first define play in terms of early childhood education and then continue my focus and research on how prek and early elementary school teachers can develop lesson plans that incorporate play into their learning objectives. 

I feel very passionate about educating parents and educators on the importance of incorporating play into the daily curriculum and the developmental benefits that occur, as they need this time to use their imaginations and explore without rules and instruction.

So far I have found this simulation process to be very helpful.   I have been able to successfully narrow done a topic without even realizing that was what I was doing.  As I move forward on this journey does anyone have any insight or suggestions as to resources that may help with researching this topic?