Competent Communication

I don’t know who the competent communicator that I would like to model behind but I do know the traits and qualities I would like to exhibit in order to be a communicator that is effective.  I would like to be knowledgeable of topic, sympathetic, informative, understanding, resourceful, poised, and reactive.  I would like to embrace these qualities because I believe that in order to communicate one must be able to know what they are speaking about, be understanding of others position, and when needed invoke action that is appropriate. 

Blog: Professional Hopes and Goals

I hope that while I work with children and their families I will remember all of the articles read, webcast viewed, assignments completed, and interactions with my classmates that have expanded my views and broadened my thoughts on interactions with diversity.  I will strive to stay open and accept people for who they are and the things they do, not rushing to judgments or assumptions about people.

The one goal that I hope for the early childhood field is to continue to push diversity, equity, and social justice.  Doing this will enlighten educators of the importance these qualities are to not only have as a professional but the importance of teaching children to learn and accept others.

In closing I have to thank all of my classmates for sharing your wisdom and thoughts on the various topics covered in this course.  I would like to extend Dr. Snider for all of her valuable feedback, suggests, and thought provoking words thought this course.  I can honestly say that I have taken a lot of knowledge away from this course and look forward to the journey to come.

Good luck to everyone and continued blessings.

Quandra

Welcoming Families From Around the World

•The name of “your” family’s country of origin

                GERMANY

•At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

Research

Ask Questions

Home visit

Invite family for share day

Have child and family to program for orientation

Integrate some of their culturalistic items throughout the class

•A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

The family that is new to my child care program is from Germany.  While this family is familiar with America and some of their customs, living in America on a regular basis is new to them.  Upon learning that the new family to the community will be utilizing our child care services, I want to make them feel as comfortable and welcome as possible to their new child care family.  In an effort to do this I would first obtain some information about Germany and the area they came from.  I would conduct a home visit to the family in order to introduce myself to the family and gain a sense of their daily living environment.   During my home visit I would ask them to visit the program for a few hours before the official start date in order to see their new learning environment and meet some of their new friends. “Take opportunities to learn from and educate families, because they can offer you new ways of interpreting children's behavior as well as present you with opportunities to persuade them to reconsider their own assumptions. (Hyland, 2010)”   I would also incorporate some items from Germany not just in the classroom but throughout the center.  One the first official day I may hang a banner, have balloons, or serve a German snack.  I would also read books to the children about moving and the feelings children may experience.  “Given the opportunity to share a story, enjoy a joke, eat a meal, or celebrate traditions, younger and older participants will discover impromptu moments to interact. (Larkin & Kaplan, 2010 p.93)”

References


 
Hyland, N. E. (2010). Social justice in early childhood classrooms: What the research tells us. YC: Young Children, 65(1), 82--87. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the ProQuest Central database: http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/docview/197637742?accountid=14872

Larkin, E., & Kaplan, M. S. (2010). Intergenerational relationships at the center. YC: Young Children, 65(3), 88--94. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Education Research Complete database: http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ898717&site=ehost-live&scope=site

 

 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

 

I incident I can recall on bias, prejudice, and oppression would be an interaction I witnessed while watching a television show recently.  In the television show, Hit the Floor, the head cheerleader was being extra hard on one of the newest cheerleaders.  As the story progressed the newest cheerleader’s mother was considered one of the best cheerleaders of the squad in the past and the head cheerleader felt like the newest cheerleader was a favorite and went out of her way to make her life as difficult as possible for her. 

While I am sure this is something that happens to people every day this is not correct.  People just want to be seen as themselves and given that chance to be display who they are.  And that is all the newest cheerleader wanted, a fair opportunity.  But the head cheerleader kept telling her that she needed to quit the squad because she was not as good as the girl she replaced and she did not dance like her mother.  The head cheerleader also thought that the new cheerleader was placed on the squad because the cheerleading manager was friends with the new cheerleader’s mother and they were on the squad together years ago. 

Because of the unfair treat the new cheerleader was getting she was getting depressed and felt like she was not good enough and always doubted if she belonged on the squad.  She did not to be treated special because of who her mother was nor did she want any special treatment because of her looks.  She just wanted to have a good time cheering and dancing on a squad that was great and because she loved to dance.

I think that if the head cheerleader would have just been open minded and not pre-judged her I think that the new cheerleader would have not had so many anxieties of being on the squad.  While there is more to the story, the main point is the cheerleading squad and being accepted on their own talents, the merits, and what they could bring to enhance the team. 

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Over the course of this week I learned about microaggressions and I am guilty of having done this as well as been a victim of it.  I have also witnessed my friends and colleagues use microaggressive behaviors.  Just this week an early childcare operator who I am working with stated that she did not want to deal with a specific parent because she is young and feels like she is getting over on her when it comes to child care services.  As Dr. Sue pointed out in this week’s webcast, “The perpetrator of a microaggression experience themselves as good, moral, decent individuals. And that makes it very difficult for them to understand that, in some way, they have made a statement, engaged in a behavior that has been offensive and reveals some bias or stereotyping on their part.” (Laureate, 2011)   While I think that the childcare operator meant no real harm she is stereotyping this parent because she is a young girl and views her as someone irresponsible.  While this mother provides everything that is stated her child needs while in care, has a job, and takes care of her child to the best her ability the operator still finds fault in the parent. 

As an early childcare professional and being in the business for over 25 years I have learned to work with people and to develop a working relationship with families and other professionals that is understanding and supportive.  While this is the operator’s first sole child care business, she is very new in the art of building workable relationships.  After she made her comments on the young parent, I asked her why did she chose to get in to child care and what made her open up a child care business?  Her response was not what I thought it would be.  I was looking for her to say because I love/like children.  She said that she wanted to own her own business and not work for someone else anymore as well as have something her children to take over.  After me looking at her for a moment in silence I had to say that you have gotten into this business for the wrong reasons.  But now that you have you have to build bridges with your families and the community you serve that is workable and“…there has to be a sense of interconnectedness with all of humanity.” (Laureate, 2011)  As a child care operator you have to be empathic to your parent’s needs and having the position of “…we have to view leadership as supportive of intergroup harmony and intergroup relationships, free of bias and stereotyping.” (Laureate, 2011) 

This week I have saw that I need to treat people the way in which I wish to be treated.  I have learned that it is not just what is said but what is unsaid that could present a discriminatory, prejudice, or stereotypic view.  I try to teach my personal and early learning children both to not judge people but to get to know a person.  But I do realize that this is a difficult task due to “cultural conditioning processes is that none of us are immune from inheriting the racial biases of our forebears.” (Laureate, 2011) But I believe that if we teach a better generation then the last these things can be overcome.  “I think if you look at the democratic ideals of this society, what you see is that we all believe in inclusion, in respect, in equal access and opportunities.” (Laureate, 2011)

 

 

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer).  (2011). Microaggressions in Everyday Life. 

[Webcast].  Baltimore, MD: Author.

 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

 

In order to gain a different perspective on diversity and culture I asked a friend, Monica Wilkins, and two early childhood colleagues what their definition or understanding of what culture and diversity means to them.   Monica Wilkins is a store manager and comes from a diverse family where her grandfather was white and her grandmother was black.  My first colleague, Denean Cameron, is an early childhood business owner who worked at the local Jewish Community Center prior to opening her program.  Ms. Cameron is a breast cancer survivor as well as a student at Walden University.  The other colleague, Ms. Drukeenu Nolan, is a new to the early childhood field but was in foster care during her formative years.  When I initially asked each person to tell me what their definition or understanding of culture and diversity they had to think about it and asked me to allow them time to think on it.  After about an hour I received the following interpretations on culture and diversity. 

Monica stated she could not think of a definition or way to interpret what culture is to her but she did say diversity  is the, “execution of different genres.” (Greene, 2013)  Denean states culture to be, “what I believe in and where I come from and diversity as “respect & understanding of someone’s difference such as religion, race, sexuality, and gender.” (Greene, 2013)  Drukeenu stated culture to her is, “a way of living and beliefs and diversity as different cultures blending together.”  (Greene, 2013)   I can say that no answer that any of them gave is far from what I understand culture to be.  The best definition I have seen and heard for culture would be Nadiyah Taylor for the webcast cast from week 2.  Nadiyah said culture is, “almost like a pair of glasses.  You know, the gestures that we make, how we make eye contact or don't make eye contact, the way we hold our bodies, how we perceive the world, all of those things for me are cultural, and so I think it's really just our way of being in the world and very personal.” (Laureate, 2011)   

I think that my friend and colleagues all have an idea of what culture and diversity is. I think they did have difficulty explaining or expressing what culture and diversity is because I believe they do not think or give any thought to either.  What I told each of them is to take a moment and think about the people you socialize with.  And asked them, is there some things you do with some friends that you would not do with another?  Why is that?  I had them understand that is the diversity and culture that is the underlining reason for that.  We respect them for their beliefs and practices despite the differences we all share.

Culture and diversity are the dynamics of a person.  It is the embodiment of what a makes a person an individual.  A person’s individual culture can be diverse because of the generations and experiences that have come before, things of the present, and those yet to come. 

 

References

Greene, Q. (2013).  A Conversation with Monica Wilkins, DruKeenu Nolan, & Denean Cameron. 

            Baltimore, MD

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer).  (2010). Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions

           [Webcast].  Baltimore, MD: Author.

My Family Culture

The last major catastrophe event that I can think of that would have caused a great threat to my country was the attack on the White House, Twin Towers, Camp David, and Pentagon.  If this threat had been carried completely out I would have had to possible had to relocate my entire family because I don't live to far from Camp David.  If I had to relocate it would not only be devastating but also difficult.  Difficult because everything you have is important and serves a purpose.  If I have to relocate from my home and was instructed that spacing was limited to three personal items I would have no problem choosing.  In relocating the three items I would take with me would be a picture of my mother, my father, and the Bible my mother had kept in a fire proof box and is a treasure to my entire family.  Both of my parent’s pictures sit on my living room table.  I would take these items because both of my parents are deceased, my mother passed away in 2002 and my father passed away in 2011 and played an important role in making me who I am as well as my children’s life.  The Bible would have to come because it is a treasured instrument to my family. 

If I was told that I could not take all three of my items with me and had to pick one I don’t know what I would do.  I would have to choose to stay behind.  If that was not an option, I would have to choose the family Bible.  If I could I would take my parents pictures out of their frames and stick them into the Bible.   I could not part with the treasured family Bible but at the same token I do not want to leave to only pictures I have of my parents either.