Practicing Awarness of Microaggressions

The microaggression I detected this week involved three of my bosses I will call Nancy, Carrie, and Blair and five year old I will call Andy.  I entered Nancy and Carrie’s office to ask about the location of an upcoming meeting because the staff was asking me where the meeting would be held.  Andy was experiencing some behavior outburst; he was releasing some steam by kicking a pack of wipes back and forth across the office with Nancy.  I watched this interaction for about a minute before entering.  When I opened the door entered the office Andy looked at me stopped kicking the wipes and hid himself under Carrie’s desk.  Nancy looked at me and said he is scared of black people; I responded with “oh really”.  She then goes on to say “it is not just you; he responded the same way when two other individuals entered the office”.  The two ladies she named are Latino and I am light brown skinned African-American.  Nancy laughed and pick up a black permanent maker and pretended to color her face.

 I did not think her intention was meant with any malice however, I have worked closely with them for three years and I have seen and heard various instances of microaggressions from other staff members.  My thought about Andy hiding under the desk when I entered was maybe he was reacting from previous experience of being a classroom with me and my choice not to react to his behavior. 

None the less, I have learned not to be offended or threatened by comments made by this group of women because I worked with them for thirty years and I have also seen them go out of their way to help staff when the need arises.  I am not saying this to excuse their behavior.  But in a sense to me I know what to expect and being offended by what they say is what I want to focus on.  Nancy made the statement; I heard it and I have moved on. 

 

 

 

 

Perspective on Diversity and Culture

Thoughts of others on culture and diversity:

          Culture is where people have common beliefs common practices.

          Diversity is differences in people.

College educator

Culture is the collective history and customs shared among a group of people which can include common language, religion or other belief system like politics, ethnicity, arts, clothing or food.

Diversity is the presence of differing cultural elements with a group.

Preschool educator

 

Culture is beliefs, knowledge and behaviors we learn from interacting with, others.

Diversity is having many different elements including races.

Child Care Teacher

Aspects of culture and diversity studied in the course:

          Shared beliefs, language, religion, differences etc...

The aspects of culture and diversity that have been omitted:

          Abilities and disabilities, social class/economic level, sexuality/gender

I think each individuals definition of culture and diversity remained true to what was studied in this week’s resources.  When I looked at the aspects omitted from our topic I realized I only entered my gender and not anything about other omitted aspects.  I will look at my list and consider my abilities and economic level and sexuality.

 

 

         

 

My Family Culture

The three items I would choose to take with me to another destination are my family’s photos, my Dakes study bible, and iPhone.  I would explain that my family photos hold important memories and visuals that I did not want to forget.  Keeping them with me would allow me to adjust my new surroundings.  I would explain to the officials of the host country that in my culture faith is important.  Reading my bible daily connects me with Jesus who I expect to guide me emotionally, mentally and physically through the catastrophe.  I choose my iPhone because it has all my information contact numbers as well as photos that I hold dear.

I would be devastated if I had to give any of the three items; it would be extremely difficult to relinquish any item.  But, the one item I cannot live without is my bible.  My relationship with Christ has open many doors and changed some circumstances in my life so departing with it is unthinkable. 

The more I think about my childhood culture I realize that we were thick in culture with Saturday  card playing, and multiple visitors that filled our house every Saturday.  Some of these people would even spend the night because the card game ended very early on Sunday morning.  I think it is important to accept and learn the difference in others; being open to understand what someone with a thick accent is saying.  As one colleague mentioned in this week’s post learning to pronounce a name is a start to showing support of the difference in people new to this country. 

When I Think of Research..

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

The insights I have gained from taking this course has been learning how to begin to research a topic I am interested in by beginning with a question and choosing a research design. 

    In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

I still find the process challenging at best but I have learned some of the elements of qualitative and quantitative and mixed methods.  I learned a qualitative design involves collecting data by observation, pictures and video; quantitative involves the gathering of numerical data in the form of numbers, graphs and charts; mixed methods is the use of both qualitative and quantitative in the same research to ensure validity in a research design.

    What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

The lessons I have learned about planning, designing and conducting research in early childhood is your topic should be one that you are passionate about or one that you seek to find the answer to; planning is the key to good research. 

    What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

Some of the challenges I have encountered were narrowing down a topic after choosing a main topic and three subtopics.  I found each time I researched the topic the information would direct me into another direction.  I finally chose the topic that I wanted to be part of and find the outcome. 

The other challenge I encountered was distinguishing between qualitative and quantitative research methods I had the data collection for qualitative instead for quantitative.  I realize that qualitative data collection includes pictures, observations and interpretation of events.  Quantitative data collection includes questionnaires, numerical and along with other tools. 

I adjusted to the challenges by having a phone conversation with Dr. Parrish which I found very helpful; she gave me great insight into research.  She shared that sometimes research can be literal at first until you find your footing or where your passion lies.

    What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

Some of the ways my perceptions of the early childhood profession have been modified because of this course I have discovered that research is wide open to professionals and educators in the field.  Our experiences direct us to ask questions and seek to find the answers to unanswered questions through research.  Even if a study has been done before it can be repeated but possibly with a different outcome; the findings could make a substantial mark in the field of child care and development.

Research Around the World

 

 

Research Around the World

One current international topic I found is Early Childhood Australia was a recent media release from the Prime Minister for an equal focus on workforce allowing parents Paid Parental Leave (PPL) to support spending time with their infants.  Research shows the most efficient way to improve productivity is to invest in early childhood development from children birth to age five. Samantha Page CEO of Early Childhood Australia stated they are in support of a full wage replacement that is more generous than a minimum wage model.  However, it is agreed that the focus should not be on just supporting the parents but also on quality child care and child learning outcomes (Calls for equal focus, 2015).  There are potential economic benefits from increased investment in early childhood education and care with the most the profound gain in is participation by vulnerable children (Calls for equal focus, 2015).  Currently, the initiative remains in the planning stages. 

The insight I gained from exploring the international website was about digital business kit that would allow families and educators to not only stay connected and informed of child care center happening but it would give educators access to updated child care education including continuing education credits.  I think this could be a good asset to all centers.  I find it a great benefit for our educators to have access to the internet because the field of education never stops evolving and a web connect provides them access to multiple outlets.  There are a lot of us who are students and having internet allows us to do homework on our lunch breaks. 

The other noteworthy information I found was there is a conference schedule for October 2016 in Sydney Australia.  It would great to plan for this to learn about child care in another country. 

 

 

Reference:

 

Calls for equal focus on workforce participation and all children's outcomes. (2015, February 2). Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Calls-for-equal-focus-on-workforce-participation-and-all-childrens-outcomes.pdf

Research that Benefits Children and Families-Uplifting Stories

If, I possessed the means and knowledge to conduct any research study topic in the child care field it would be in the area of hunger and young children. I would research to find out what support families would need to eradicate hunger.  I would create information gathering process like a census questionnaire to find out what families need and another organization that could provide the support families need according to the information they would have provided on their forms.  This study would certainly help provide food to children and families who are struggling daily to find the means for their next meal.  The positive contribution I see could be no more hunger for children and families.   

On article I found shared some interesting information about hunger and children.  Felling, 2013 states the economic recession has become a new reality for families; the rise in fuel and food prices while salaries remain the same presents challenges for families.  Felling, 2013 goes to discuss surveyed teachers said students are coming to school hungry; most students rely on meals at school as their primary source of nutrition.  Educator have also witnessed children who seem sleep and unfocused because they were hungry (Felling, 2013). 

I thought the idea of the article suggestion to create a breakfast campaign that involves collaboration from teachers, parents and student to implement instructional activities for children is a step in the right direction to combat hunger for families. 

 

Reference:

Felling, C. (2013). Hungry Kids; The Solvable Crisis. Educational Leadership, 80(8), 56-60.

My Person Research Journey

My Chosen Topic and Why I Chose It

 The topic, I have chosen to streamline a focus towards throughout this course, is the Positive Social-Emotional effects of collaboration between home and school. I would like to research how little to no communication between educators and parents can affect the progression of a child’s development in the classroom environment. A breakdown in relationship development may cause a teacher not to put as much effort into working with a child because of the lack of trust in the parent. I would also like to expound upon research that educator/parent relationships do have positive outcomes in the lives of children when all parties caring for a child are working together on a plan that involves developing the early education of a child both in the classroom and at home.

I chose this topic because in the past I have not had good relationships with the parents of a couple children in my classroom; I allowed negative information to stifle even the likelihood of forming a bond. Our greetings were rigid formalities nothing meaningful we both shared necessary information for each day and nothing extra. After this family had left my class I, purposed not to allow any more lack of relationship building like the previous one to occupy my space. I instituted a plan that I would remind each family member regularly if they had any questions or concerns; please see me or my team member.

I have discovered during my career in the classroom there are families who feel more comfortable speaking to one educator than they do another. When I encounter this I informed parents I would be sharing the information with my co-teacher; the same for team member. In situations of this nature, educator must be on the same page about classroom rules.

I have learn from this course so far that it is acceptable to skip sections of a research paper in order to get to the pertinent information needed to complete an assignment.  Construction of this week’s chart was challenging with the definitions; I have opted not to look ahead to the coming weeks yet because I do not want to overwhelm myself.  I am always open to suggestion and comments from you all my online colleagues.