Welcoming Families From Around the World

At the child care center where I work I have a family who recently emigrated from Morocco. First I will research the location of Morocco. Morocco is located in North Africa, to understand the origin. Secondly, I will search the type of government they have which is a constitutional monarchy; this helps me understand the level of power in their country. They have a King in Morocco who holds a lot of power.  Thirdly, I would like to be familiar with the language they speak which is either Berber or Moroccan Arabic. Fourthly, I will research the dominant religion which Islamic. Lastly, I will look to see what offends them. For instance, during the month of Ramadan, I never knew it is considered rude to eat and drink in front of them while they are fasting.

My goal in preparing for this family is to make the transition as smooth as possible. I want the family to feel comfortable. I understand many things will be different.  The last thing I want to do is offend them. I am aware the smallest thing such as a hand shake can be disrespectful. Hopefully all of my research will make the family feel more relaxed. 

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107800.html

http://www.traveltaboo.com/morocco-travel-tips-dos-and-donts/

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

During the 2010-2011 school year, I spent majority of my time working with special education children. Some of the children do not have physical or mental problems but are just extremely slow learners. For instance a few of the seventh graders were reading at a third or fourth grade level. Many people choose not to work with special education children (SPED) because they fear it will take too much patience and it is difficult. Indeed, SPED children do require a different kind of attention but they learn just like everyone else nevertheless. I have overheard other teachers in the building expressing negative remarks about SPED children “saying there is no way I could deal with those children”. I confronted one of the teachers and asked why she would say that. She told me she could not deal with children like that climbing all up and down the walls. Already there is a bias basically saying SPED children are just unbearable to teach; anytime someone categorizes a group, biases are produced. Saying that they are climbing up and down the wall makes it seem as if they are not even human. I remember talking with another SPED teacher who was furious with another teacher because of his remarks about SPED children. The SPED teacher told me a teacher asked what on earth made her want to teach SPED children, it just seems like you are babysitting all day. I was enraged with the comment as well because this teacher was acting as if SPED teachers are ranked lower and less important. SPED teachers are just as important as any other teacher. Dealing with the situation I experienced multiple biases; teachers holding biases against SPED children as well as SPED teachers. I guess I was shocked with the actions of some teachers. I feel teacher should have bond and be looked as one unit and should never put another educator down. For incidence such as this one to decrease people have to put their biases aside and not speculate. It is easy to guess about a situation but if you have not personal experienced a situation you should not be so willing to pass your opinion.  

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

In everyday life we become so use to stereotypes and prejudice actions that we sometimes over look the obvious. This assignment helped raised my awareness and I have been able to recall certain situation and actually witnessed microaggression. For an example, I was at the bank waiting for a notary. I was the first one in the waiting section. Soon after I was there, a Caucasian male showed up. Then two other people showed a man and woman who appeared to be Hispanic or Mexican decent. When the notary finally appeared and asked who she could help, it appeared that she talked right over my head and the non-Caucasian people that were present. She never made eye contact with me. The entire time she was talking she looked at the Caucasian male and back down at the papers she was holding in her hand. When I spoke and told her I was next in line she was very polite and friendly. I honestly don’t even think she realized what she did, or how she made me feel like I didn’t have any power.

During the summer time I enjoy my vacation time. I can run errands during the day while majority of the people are at work. Many times I get a stereotype for being unemployed and uneducated. People are quick to ask so do you work? Are you in school and when I say yes I am; I am working on my Master of Science degree and tell them what it is in, they’re completely shocked. To cover things up, people usually tell me they are so shocked because I look so young. Sometimes I dread going out during the day because I get the look as to say I’m wasting my life away and I am unimportant. Sometimes I feel like designing a shirt saying I am educated just on vacation, it is really frustrating.

Listening to Dr. Derald Wing Sue it reminded me of other situations I have experienced. I remember Dr. Derald Wing Sue talking about his experience with a taxi cab driver. How the driver told him he spoke perfect English and how the driver seemed amazed that his English was so well. This reminded me of my next example that I talk “white”. I remember in High School being told by African American girls and the kicker is also told by Caucasian girls that I talk “white”. This puzzled me because I never knew there was a “white language”. The way I talk is natural and I can’t alter how I sound. I believe the way I speak reflects my education. I can’t understand why speaking incorrect grammar makes you part of a specific race. When situations like this occur I almost feel as if people are trying to strip some of the power I possess maybe unintentionally or intentionally, either way it is offensive.

Reflecting on certain situations and circumstances I have endured reiterates that discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes are very much alive. However, what I realized most is that many people are unconscious of their behavior and do not even realize that it is offensive. When finding yourself in a situation is difficult to figure out what you should do. As Dr. Derald Wing Sue says you can either ignore the situation or confront the matter. Ignoring doesn’t resolve the situation and sometimes addressing the matter doesn’t either. I really do not feel there is an easy answer for resolving this issue.   


“Microaggressions in Everyday Life”

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

There three people I decided to talk to were my Dad and two friends (both friends are different races and religions).

Dad- Culture means who I am, what  I stand for and what my family stands for, the way we live, how we treat people being able to represent what is important to us.

Diversity- Anything different, from culture ways or the way I think.

Friend - Culture is expressed through one’s beliefs and values.  For instance, Latinos and Asians are very much family oriented.  They value their elders.  In fact, in the Asian community is normal for their grandparents to live with them until death.

 Diversity--- Incorporates a person's acceptance of other (races and genders).  In most cultures, women are still the lesser sex.  Men are dominant in the Latino and Asian cultures.

Friend- What you believe in, where you are from and what you are taught.

Diversity - Being able to embrace change.

I feel like the responses I received are very similar to many of the conversations I have heard throughout the course. Everything coincides with background and the beliefs of how a person was brought up. Also, I think everyone has agreed on diversity as being about differences. I don’t think any aspects are being technically omitted; however, I feel the surfaces are barely being scratched. There are so much more when it comes to culture that’s almost impossible to be covered for instance music, certain instruments are used to represent different meanings. From asking these questions I feel people want to group things together instead of specifically naming things such as music, food and even clothing.I feel that by listening to other people’s definition of culture and diversity continues to help me be open-minded and willing to accept other people’s opinions. As well, listening to other people helps me to understand different cultures and helps me shape my idea of what culture means.

“Culture and Diversity” (approximate length: 4 minutes)

My Family Culture

If I had to evacuate and could only take three items with me I would choose a photo album, Bible and a ring.  All three are very important to me. First the photo album is vital because if only the immediate family survived there may be plenty of family members in the album who unfortunately may not have made it. Family is important and at the end of the day, the only thing left are memories. Photos can help you remember distant memories. Secondly, in a devastating situation the Bible plays a crucial part. It is a must to keep your faith at an all time high to survive.  Lastly, I received a ring that was given to me by my mom, who her aunt gave to her and has been passed down from one generation to another. The ring is very important to me because I feel blessed and lucky enough to have the ring. The ring could have been given to anyone else in the family but it was passed to me and for that I feel honored and special.

To have to part of two of the three items is a huge dilemma for me. I thought about taking a few pictures out of the album and putting them in the Bible. However, having to let go of the ring knowing it represents my family is something I don’t think I can do. So I decided if I keep the ring every time I see it on my hand, I will be able to remember my family and have a visual image of everyone who wore the ring. As well, having faith is something that is in your heart and can never be lost. 

When I Think of Research...

In concluding each class, I look back over the previous weeks. Each week was packed with vital information pertaining to research. I have gained plenty of insights such as how to ensure research is actually valid. As well, as a whole new perspective when I even think about research. I realize the thought process is a horrendous part prior to and during research. Even once the topic is identified there is plenty of rough drafts, tweaking and sometimes even changes that must be made for the research project to continue and be successful. My ideas and nature of doing research has changed. I wouldn’t necessarily say I was a blank slate in the thought process but knew very little about the process. I realize now how much goes into research. It takes time to even think of a topic that can be researched, plus where, when, how, what methods will be used and who will the participants be and more. Prior to this class I never thought about the information so profoundly. I have learned that if you don’t go through and have a plan about what or how your research will be done it will make the task very difficult. Plus if the information is not planned out properly it will be confusing for the participants or anyone else reading the information. Planning and testing are top priorities for research. I had plenty of challenges throughout this course. The topic of research went well beyond what I am use to doing. Of course, I am use to standard research but this was very different. Conducting my own research assignment is something I have never had to do. I felt every subject was completely new to me and out of my realm. However, I feel my major issue was not thinking through it thoroughly enough as a researcher. I had to put on my researcher’s hat which was difficult at times for me to keep on. As well I had to ask myself plenty of “what if” questions. I feel this class goes well beyond the eight weeks and has to be something I continue to work on and may one day use again to the entirety. My perception has changed because I have a new level of respect for researchers. I now understand how much goes into the research that we read. Before I looked upon research as just an article to obtain information but never understood how much goes into the article to get the material. As well, I see what important role researchers have in the field of early childhood and in our world today.

Research Around the World

I decided to research Early Childhood Australia. There are many current international research topics such as the following:

·        Respecting diversity: Articulating early childhood practice

·        Learning and teaching through play

·        The Early Years Learning Framework: Building confident learners

·        Learnings from High/Scope: Enriching everyday practice

·        Discovering letters and sounds

·        Diversity and difference: Lighting and spirit of identity

Some new insight I gained was from the “About Everyday Learning” section. This quote caught my attention “making the ordinary, extraordinary”. Sometimes repetition can become stale and become so ordinary that a child does not learn anything new. However making the most out of a day and trying new ways to spice up the day to make it different can make a huge difference in a child’s education. Also, in this link there is a guide to assist parents, grandparents and care givers.

Some noteworthy information I found on the website was under the link Resource themes. There are five themes.

1.   Being, Belonging and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework

2.   School readiness and children’s transition

3.   Sustainability, global warming and climate change

4.   Baby and toddler sleeping

5.   Child health and childhood obesity

Over these five themes the site allows you to print the information. The resources are there to assist practitioners and give practical support to services and early childhood education. There are entire sections that can be used for guidance and support.

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/