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.