Reflecting on Learning

My most passionate hope for the future is to make a difference with these children and for it to go unnoticed. I hope these children see my drive and are able to help pass down these positive traits of being unbiased. A team is always better than one person. I want to see a positive chain reaction that continues for generations to come.

I would like to thank all of my colleagues for their warm word of encouragement. As well, I enjoyed reading the blogs, through blogs we are able to share so much. Some of you I recognize from the very beginning of my journey and I hope to continue seeing your names in the next class. I wish everyone nothing but the best.

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

I chose Latin America and Caribbean because majority of my students or their families were born in Mexico.

A huge issue is malnutrition problems that are affecting children from age three and younger. The time of pregnancy to the age of 2 is a very vital time for growth development. We all know how important it is that children receive the best care but some of these children start off lacking essentials from the beginning.

In America, rights for children are a necessity. However, the Convention of the Rights of the Child was finally adopted in 1989. The reality is, the law is there but many are not abiding or enforcing the law to ensure children are being treated properly and utilizing their rights.

Enrollment and completion of primary education has increased. On the other hand, there are many countries that are far from other countries in pushing completion of education. So another problem is present, the lack  of promotion and enforcing school.Sadly this is also an area that has had its share of natural disasters. Alone, last year 1,000 people died, 10,000 injured and 100,000 homeless. These are only handful of challenges these children face.

Personally and professionally my heart goes out to the children and their families. Many of these people cannot afford to relocate and are stuck in that environment. This is a great reminder how difficult some children’s lives are. For me reading situations similar to this gives me an extra level of tolerance. It pushes me to try harder to reach these children because many are afraid to open up. These children are not use to someone pushing education and wanting to see them succeed. Some of these families lack shelter and food. I try to take into consideration the lifestyle of these children and their families and try to develop ways to make their transition to this culture as smooth as possible. 

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

After reading the article So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids I could feel my heart sank. I was hoping the style of seeing children acting beyond their years was something I was noticing and only a select few others. Knowing this is an issue that goes beyond my community is heartbreaking. Children are not taking time to be a child before they are rushing to be and act like an adult. I feel the problem is that parents initially thought it was “cute” to see their child acting and dressing like an adult. From there the issue seemed to spiral out of control. Children started being exposed to sexual content in their own home and their friend’s home. At the beginning of this program we were required to do plenty of observations. I remember a first grade boy was being called to the office because he was trying to have sex with another first grade girl in the bathroom. There was another incident when the children were lining up and a first grade boy grabbed another first grade girl from behind and was rubbing against her. Another situation, a first grade girl was stuffing her blouse pretending she had a bra.

Children have a hard enough time trying to focus on their class work; sexual content is something they should not be thinking about. I can’t help but think that part of the reason these children have problems focusing is because their minds are focused on reenacting material they are constantly shown. Learning material related to sex takes these children away from positive development and learning the things a child should be focused on. I think it is up to the adults and early childhood educators to redirect these children to appropriate behavior. Children will not realize they are doing something wrong until it is brought to their attention.

By studying this topic this week, I no longer feel like I am alone. It is hard to address a matter when you are afraid to discuss it because you feel others will not support or agree. Reading this article comforted me and confirmed my feelings. I now have the proof I need to bring this situation of sexual content within children to my colleague’s attention. The more people who become aware of this situation the more people can help identify children behaving in such manner. Children all have to grow up but there is a time and a place when it comes to everything. Parents also have to become aware of what they expose their children to. If their child is exposed to content the best thing is for them to address the issue. Otherwise, you are leaving it up to your child to figure out what they saw or for another child or adult to give them an answer.

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

Biases are based on personal feelings. People choose to like you because of a specific reason and can choose not to like you for various reasons. The reasons people choose for not liking you can also lead to biases. For instance I have experienced ageism and racism. When you are first starting off your career or because you have a baby face, it can sometimes make it hard. Some families see youth positively and some view is negatively, as a lack of experience and growth. It is hard to deal with a family when they view you incompetent because of your age. Age is nothing you can change, so everyone has to deal with the situation. However, in the mean time it makes it very difficult to reach the family because they can tune you out. As well, I work with a lot of and Hispanic children and because I am unable to speak their language they feel like I cannot work with their children. Experiencing these –isms make it very hard to reach the child because it is easier if you can reach the child family first because they can assist in helping reach the child. These biases can make it difficult for everyone, including the child.