Reflecting on Learning

My most passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional is that I am able to make a difference in the lives of the children and families I serve.  I want all families to know that they are accepted and respected regardless of their situation.  My main goal is to make sure I am meeting the needs of all levels of learners regardless of their background whether it is culturally or linguistically. I want to help every child understand that we are all different, but we each have unique talents.  The idea is to make sure all programs in early childhood are on the same page to be able to serve every family.  I will continue to create an environment that embraces diversity, and provide the necessary programs to help the children and families I serve. I will continue to advocate for the field.  I know that change will be a slow process, but it will come.  I would like to thank my colleagues for sharing a very meaningful learning experience. I have learned a lot about myself during this course.  The responses each week  really made me look at situations from a different standpoint.  I wish each of you much success in your future endeavors.

Poverty

I chose the Latin America and Caribbean region.  I chose this region because my daughter’s girl scout trooped researched Guyana for an event.  We learned a lot of valuable information about Guyana.  There are a lot of challenges that children in this region face. Poverty is a major stressor that affects a lot of children.  I know poverty affects a lot of countries, but I chose to explore the poverty issues in Guyana.  Guyana is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Guyana has wealth of natural resources, including fertile agricultural land, minerals and large swaths of tropical forest.  It ranks 117th out of 187 countries on the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index, and is classified as a lower-middle-income country by the World Bank.  Approximately two-thirds of Guyanese citizens living in poverty, or 29% of the population, can be classified as being extremely poor. Most of the poor live in rural areas and work as agricultural laborers. Although Guyana’s farmers have access to adequate land resources, their productivity is extremely low.  It saddens me to know that countries such as Guyana experience poverty like this.  It really makes me appreciate the abundance of resources that we have in the US.  I hope that one day these same resources can be sent to places like Guyana to help eliminate some of the challenges the children face.

Reference

 http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

In today’s society children’s identity information process are influenced by several different factors.  It’s very unfortunate that the blog assignment this week centers around the “sexualization of early childhood”.  It amazes me how much children are being exposed to sexualization.   I have a nine year old, and I am amazed at some the information I hear and see at her school.   There are more external factors present than there were back when I was a kid.  We have everything from radio, television, movies, toys, and technology that showcase sexualization.  It’s very sad that we live in a world where sex sells.  My daughter asked me last week why are all the models/actress skinny on television and in magazines.  I had to explain to her that females can be all shapes and sizes.  It’s unfortunate that mainstream society only see being very skinny as being beautiful.  I told her as she gets older she will understand more, but she has to embrace the body type that God gives her.  However, it is important to eat right and exercise to stay healthy and maintain a healthy weight.  I have noticed in all of the music videos every girl/boy hardly have on any clothes.  They are practically naked in these videos.  My husband and I were talking about how commercials have come a long way.  When we were growing up it was a big deal for ladies to be shown in their underwear. In this day and time that is the norm.

One of the boys in my daughter class came over to speak one day.  He advised me that another boy liked my daughter, and that he said she was sexy and cute.  I looked at him and said please tell me what sexy mean.  He shrugged him shoulders and started laughing. He thought I was trying to embarrass him but I really just wanted to know.  I explained to him that they are young an they will have plenty of time to think about that stuff.  I told them please stop focusing on videos, social medias and commercials, and stay focused on their work.

It’s our job as early childhood professionals to teach children to love and respect themselves.  It’s also equally important to remember who they are and to be true to themselves.  There are going to be negative influences no matter where you go.  However, it’s up to you to make the right decisions at all time.

 young children.

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

If I were experiencing a specific -ism in my own life, I am sure the families I am working with would be affected tremendously.  I think I would be very emotional and not acting like myself.  I wear my emotions on my sleeve.  People can usually tell when something is bothering me.  I have never thought about how “-isms” help shape who we are on the inside and out. It amazing how “-isms” can affect us mentally and physically.  Unfortunately, some of the “-isms” we experience more than others because of people’s own biases. "All of us have learned biases about our own and other’s groups. Those biases act as filters that keep us from accurately seeing who we are and what is happening in front of us” (Derman-Sparks, 2010, p. 21).  I have learned that “isms” such as racism, sexism, and classism have informed and influenced my professional life as it relates to young children and their families by helping me better understand each one and how they affect everyday lives.  Although I may not agree with issues relating to a particular “ism”, I have to respect each person’s decision.  I can agree to disagree and move on.  “We must embrace disagreement and complexity as being fundamental to working with children, families and staff from diverse groups and in changing times” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 30).

In today’s society, unfortunately the learned behavior of racism happens a lot.  Children literally don’t see color.  I observed my daughter playing at her daycare a few weeks ago.  The class is very diverse.  They have Blacks, Whites, and a few Hispanics in her class.  They all play together without a second thought.  All they know is they are having fun together.  It’s very unfortunate that as they get older they will be exposed to some form of racism.  Sadly, racism is a learned behavior. It’s not deeply rooted into the individual displaying the behavior. However, it is a behavior that can be changed, but everyone involved has to be open to change. 

The understanding of racism and racial identity development can increase an adult's effectiveness in supporting children's positive identity development.  This is why as educators we have to be cognizant of what we say and do.  We are shaping the lives of children, and they are watching everything we do.  We have to “stand up” for children and families with regard to bias, prejudice, or discrimination because someone has to advocate for the children.  Children should be given positive messages and images, and we have to stand for what’s right.  Families and educators who stand up for what’s right will eventually change the mindset of others.  “Adults have the power to create, to teach, to maintain bias and to eliminate it” (Derman -Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 11).  As stated in the text, we have to teach children about diversity, and to respect themselves and others.  We are here to make a difference, and we must continue the fight for all children to understand racism and racial identity.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J.O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.

Communication

I had the opportunity to observe a child and an adult while I was shopping in Walmart. I saw the child and the adult several times while I was shopping. The child appeared to be not listening to the adult several times.  The child and the adult ended up being in the same checkout lane. They were having a conversation about a toy the child wanted. I noticed the child was approximately four or five years of age.   This child has some good negotiating skills. She reminded me of my girls.  I couldn’t help but laugh and smile at the situation. The adult keep going back and forth with this child. The child was not taking no for an answer. The child started to through a temper tantrum.  The adult stood firm on her decision and talked to the child in a calm voice.  She was a little to calm in my opinion.  Everyone was looking at the child by this point. She told the child to get off the floor, and she wasn’t buying the toy.  However, she did give the child an opportunity to explain why she felt like she deserved the toy. The adult then explained to the child that if she was considering buying the toy her tantrum definitely changed her mind.

The whole conversation between the adult and the child was very interesting.  She allowed the child to plead her case, and she listened despite the tantrum.  I felt like it was effective because it was teaching the child that her thoughts and what she had to say was important. I feel like children should be able to express themselves to a certain point.  However, I don’t do tantrums at all and that doesn’t get you anything.  I believe the adult made the child feel important by allowing her to plead her case. I do applaud the adult for not giving in to the tantrum. The adult’s response was a great example of affirmed communication.

I grew up in a household where children should be seen and not heard. I wouldn’t dare have a tantrum over not getting a toy, or my mom would spank me in the store. While observing the adult and child communicating, I reflected on the way I communicate with the children in my class.  I always allow my children to explain a situation.  I also teach them that every situation will not make them happy.  They will not always get what they want, but by discussing the problem they will realize the answer is the best solution for the situation. I am a good listener at times. I always say I have selective hearing.  I can improve my listening skills with my children. It’s hard trying to listen to several children at one time without interruptions. I am learning slowly but surely.

Creating Affirming Environments

It’s very important to create learning environments that reflect the diversity of the children and families we work with.  It’s equally important to expand and deepen the understanding and respect for diversity. The understanding of diversity helps promote strong family-teacher relationships.  My vision for an anti-bias child care center would be one that displays diversity throughout the center as well as in the curriculum.  The creation of affirming environments are important because it will make all families feel welcomed.  At the beginning of the year the children would do a project titled my family and me.  They would use a poster board/construction paper to put pictures of them and their family. This project would be displayed around the classroom to represent all the families.  There would be pictures of Good Morning, Please, and Thank You in different languages posted around the classroom to represent family diversity.  To help understand different cultures, I would invite family members for a show and tell day at school.  I would also sets up days to do food tastings from around the world to show the different cultures presented in the class.  There would be pictures of all ethnic backgrounds posted around the classroom.  There would also be a wall that has different words and phrases in several languages.  The dramatic play/housekeeping area would have dolls of different ethnic backgrounds.  It would also have common items that different cultures use.  The book/literacy area would have pictures and words that reflect different cultures.  This area would also have books representing different cultures.  These books would be used to celebrate different ethnicities in the month they occur.  The play accessories would be universal.  I wouldn’t want any that depict a particular culture.  I would also like to celebrate a different culture each month by having a potluck with food exclusive to that culture.  The curriculum would cover various activities and have music in different languages.  The students would also learn numbers in Spanish during math time.  The steps toward anti-bias education will constantly mean the center will have to try new things to meet the diverse needs of learners.  However, every step in the right direction will bring me closer to pushing more people to become anti-bias educators.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

What I Have Learned

When I think about working with children and families from diverse background we have to be receptive to learning about different cultures, diversity, and be open and willing to help wherever needed.  If we are not given the opportunity to understand diversity, we will always have the same mindset. We have to make sure the curriculum displays diversity. We have to be willing to make the transition for families in early childhood education a little easier.

My goal I would like to set for the early childhood field is I want people to understand that equity and social justice are reachable goals when people are given the opportunity to understand diversity.  I was reading an article and the author asked “What does it mean to have a deep understanding of diversity, equity, and social justice?” I personally believe it means going beyond the surface to find out how diversity, equity, and social justice affect people around us. As you get to know a person on a deeper level, you get a better understanding of who they really are. If we don’t get to know a person beyond the surface, we will never learn about their culture or issues that affect them personally.  If we don’t take the time to get to know a person, we will continue to stereotype and prejudge.  This way of thinking will never get us to being open about issues that affect diversity, equity, and social justice.  We must change our mindset in order to see change.

I would like to thank my colleagues for providing helpful insights each week on the topics discussed.  This really helped me see some things from a different perspective.  I wish each of you much success on your future endeavors.  I am sure we will meet again.  Take care!