Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

All I can say is wow! I really did not know microaggressions existed until my learning extended this week. This week I saw on television how microaggressions appear on television as well. I was watching a reality television program and someone from one race told a person from another race, “I don’t know those people”.  She said it to a person who was of the same race as “those” people. I felt surprised, embarrassed, and guilty. It saddened me to see how microaggressions are prevalent and our young people are privy to watching television. I certainly hope they do not pick up unconscious habits.

This week’s learning definitely had an impact on my perception of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes. I really do believe that people are unconscious of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes. For some people, I strongly believe they do not intend to behave in certain ways; however, I believe they have made certain discriminatory actions habits. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Definitions of Culture:

Person #1 – Culture is the arts. Diversity means different.

Person #2 – Culture is the beliefs, and the way of life of a group of people. Diversity means that everyone is unique.

Person #3 (Culturally different from me) -  Culture is the behavior and the beliefs of an ethnic group. Diversity means different people.

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?  

All of the answers above, with the exception of the arts I have studied in my Perspective on Diversity and Equity Course. The definitions that I have received are basically similar. The definitions summarize the fact that individuals have a unique cultural identity. Being diverse (different) and unique represents that.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission? The definitions were very vague. However, the fact the family culture and diversity exists, was omitted.

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics? 

Considering other people’s definitions of culture and diversity has encouraged me to pay more attention to culture and diversity. Some may not think it is important. However, living in a diverse world, it is important to know, consider, respect, and assist in cultivating the culture of others to help bring balance and congruence. 

My Family Culture

If I had to stay in a country different from my own and could only take three small items, the three small items that represent my family culture that I would take with me are:

1. My Bible (small and pink in color)
2. My Cell Phone (white iphone 6)
3. My Throw Blanket (leopard print)

Those three items mean a lot to me. The first item I would take with me is the Bible. My family and I are very religious and we live our lives by the Word of God; focusing on doing good every day. The Bible is filled with instructions on how to live a blessed life. The second item I would take with me is my new cell phone: iphone 6. My cell phone represents having the ability to communicate at all times. We are communicators! My family share just about everything which makes us close knit. In addition, my iphone is filled with pictures of my family and I, which would give me the opportunity to see them at all times. The third and final item that I would take is my favorite leopard print throw blank. It is not because of the print, but it is because of the warmth it brings. My family is very caring and warm. We share our warmth with others by being caring and friendly; helping any one in need.

If I were told that I could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items that I brought with me, I would choose to keep my cell phone. I would feel a sense of loss because representations of my culture have been taken from me.

As a result of this exercise, I learned that my family and I have created and fostered a very positive family culture. Diversity and cultural differences do not diminish my culture. I not scared to be placed within a culture different than mine, doing so helps me to continue to understand others and embrace differences.

When I Think of Research.......

As I conclude my studies of research, I have learned a lot from this learning experience. I have gained many insights about research from taking, “Building Research Competency”. I have learned that research is systematic. Research serves to confirm facts, develop theories, establish facts, reaffirm results, solve problems, and support theories. In early childhood education, the aim for most research investigations is to gain knowledge in order to make decisions.

My ideas about the nature of doing research have changed. Because I know the systems of research and how to employ it, I now know that I am capable of conducting a research investigation.

Every research investigation includes planning, designing, and conducting research. These steps are true for all research approaches and designs. However, what I will always remember and apply is that there are regulations regarding having children as participants in a research study. There are special protections for children and those regulations must be adhered to by the researcher as well as stakeholders such as early childhood professionals and parents.

I did encounter challenges throughout this course. I will suggest to my fellow classmates and to any professional pursuing post graduate studies, to plan well, stay organized, stay healthy, and stay in constant contact with all those who have a stake in your learning and success processes. I learned those tips for success from Dr. Parrish.  Thank you Dr. Parrish.

My perceptions of an early childhood professional definitely have been modified as a result of this course. Knowing and applying early childhood best practices, content, and regulations are essential; however, this course taught me how to be a professional beyond the classroom and center. I have to be competent, honest, positive, reliable, respectful, and supportive.

As I complete this last blog entry, thank you fellow classmates for your support throughout this course. Your responses to my Initial Discussion entries, truly helped me as I navigated through this course

Research Around the World

Research Around the World

 

I had the wonderful opportunity to explore the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) website (http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php)

 

This website is an influential, international website.  Some of the current international research topics are:

1.  The impact of early childhood development virtual university in Sub-Saharan Africa the school of child and youth care faculty of human and social development University of Victoria and Partners in Africa

2.  Sustained emphasis on networking and ripple effects.

3.  Early childhood development and capacity building in Africa

4.  Leadership promotion capacity building and network enhancement

 

From exploring this international childhood website, I gained surprising facts, insights, and new ideas. Specifically, I learned that the Early Childhood Development University is a groundbreaking globally known program that functions within the School of Child and Youth Care which is a part of the University of Victoria. I also found that the efforts established by of this program are used globally. In addition, their work also includes endorsing intellectual and formal ability in Saharan Africa under the sponsorships of the African Scholars and Institutions. I found that information to be noteworthy.

 

Research that Benefits Children and Families – Uplifting Stories

Preschool students with special needs have the right to have their educational and developmental needs met. There are a lot of children who are special needs who are experiencing developmental delays. Services should not have to begin for them when they’re in 4^th grade. Services should begin immediately for the when they enter preschool and there is a detection of deficiency.

If I had the opportunity to choose a compelling study that is restricted by the reality of the present and would make a major contribution to the well-being of children and or their families, I would choose investigating, THE IMPACT OF EARLY INTERVENTION FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Conducting an investigation based on that topic would contribute positively to teachers, children with special needs, and families of children with special needs. Teachers will be able to have the tools (strategies) needed for intervention and prevention. Special needs children will have long term early success. They will become mainstreamed early on into the general population of students. Families will know how to work with their children at home, based on the recommendations of the teachers. 

Research Journey

Research Journey

My topic is Parent Involvement and Success for children at school. My subtopic is “The Impact of Parental Involvement in Preschool Settings on Preschool Children’s Academics”. I chose this topic because I believe that all variables should be identified and measured to ascertain effectiveness in educating the whole child beginning in preschool. I am an early childhood educator.

I have noticed that here are parents who are involved more than other parents in the early childhood center that I work. I have seen that some children who parents visit regularly and participate in events and activities that are implemented at the center are engaged in the daily learning activities than others.  

In constricting my research chart, so far I have honed in on identifying and reading scholarly literature. As an educational research it is imperative that I know how to identify scholarly literature from experts in the field. With that said, I must research and find out who are the experts in the early childhood field.

Hey colleagues, do any of you have insight on who are experts in the early childhood education field; or parent involvement?