Awareness of Microaggressions

     The most recent experience with microaggression I witnessed was actually in a classroom last week. As two African American teachers were talking they were approached by a teacher of Korean descent. The teacher asked if either of the two ladies wanted a cream cheese bagel.  The African American teachers directed her to inquire if whether the teacher across the hall, who happens to be Caucasian, wanted it because that is the kind of stuff ‘they’ eat. It was clear that the two women were not just speaking of the other teacher as an individual because of the fact that the teacher was referenced to as ‘they’ although she is only one person. What I thought when I witnessed the microaggression was that people honestly don't realize how discriminatory they can be at times. I honestly know that there are some people who automatically think African Americans are going to bring 'chicken' to a pot luck dinner as though chicken is the ONLY food African American people eat. In that case it would be an insult because I know African Americans who don't eat chicken at all. However, there are some people who automatically think African Americans will bring 'chicken' because its a common food among them....see the difference in assuming they will bring it because that's all they eat and bringing it because it's something they enjoy eating a lot? Well, I thought what the two African Americans meant was that cream cheese bagels was something more commonly eaten by Caucasians because certain foods are not eaten in certain cultures. My observation experience taught me to simply be more careful about the things I say to and about people because even things said unintentionally have the potential to be very harmful to others

Perspectives on diversity and culture

When asked what the definition of culture is, the answers I received where 1.The way people in different parts of the world live their lives and incorporate their beliefs and traditions. 2. Characteristics or behavior that people obtain which has been passed down from generation to generation. 3. The beliefs of any particular group or organization.

When asked what the definition of diversity is, the answers I received where 1.Having several different qualities. 2. The essence of being different. 3. The uniqueness and differences of people.

All aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received. The way people live their lives, their characteristics, beliefs, traditions, are all apart of a person’s culture. Although many people share the same characteristics, they are all unique becoming diverse at the beginning of conception.

I feel that the definitions given to me are quite spot on and, therefore, nothing in my opinion was omitted other than things (such as age, religion, race, socio-economic status, etc.) could have been listed to be more specific rather than simply stating “characteristics”.  Thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity had no influence on my own thinking about these topics due to the fact that I agree with their definitions and have the same understanding of the topics as the people who defined them.

 

 

 

My Family Culture

The three items I would choose to bring with me would be my family scrapbook, Elasta QP hair relaxer, and deodorant. I would bring the family scrapbook because it, of course, holds all my family memories. I would bring the Elasta QP hair relaxer because I enjoy being able to comb through my hair once I have used the relaxer. I would bring the deodorant, as odd as it may seem, because I am an advocate for great hygiene. I encountered a young woman from Germany once while in undergraduate school who informed me that her culture did not believe in wearing deodorant. She did not emit a very good smell! If, upon arrival, I was told that I could only keep two of the personal items it would depend on where I am as to how upset I would be. I would keep my family scrapbook because it is extremely personal to me. However, the other items may not be as important as I initially think. For example, I would not have a problem giving up my hair relaxer or deodorant if they sold those things, or substitutes, in the country I am evacuated to. If those items were not sold I would not be devastated because I would find things that could be used in the same manner as the items I would be told to give up. The only insight I gained in the process or as a result of doing this exercise is that I don't abide by strict family culture rules. Yes, my family culture is definitely important to me, but I can easily adjust when necessary. My religion is baptist, however I'm not going to fall dead if I can only attend a catholic church once evacuated.

When I Think of Research

The insights I have gained about research include the fact that, as I thought, research is an extremely lengthy process.  I was surprised at all the steps that are taken to prepare for as well as conduct a research project, especially since in the beginning of the course we were educated on what is really important when reading a research paper. My reaction was…WOW, a thousand pages worth of research results and analyses and only about six paragraphs are important! I gained a greater sense of respect for researchers as well as respect for and appreciation for the participants who allowed themselves to be used to conduct the research study. My ideas about the nature of doing the research has changed because I have discovered that conducting research is much more complicated than I previously anticipated.  The lesson I learned about planning and designing research is that it is very time consuming. It requires a lot more time than I have or am willing to commit at the moment. I also learned that there are several different designs as well as the possibility of choosing multiple designs. This made me think about the validity of research that I have read in the past. How accurate are the results? What would have been the results had a different design been used? The challenge I encountered was simply understanding research and all the components of it as a whole. I’m still not sure I have completely accomplished this, but I am definitely more knowledgeable now than I was before starting this course. I would like to say thank you to all my colleagues for the support, comments, suggestions, advice, etc. It has been a struggle for me trying to figure out this research project, but your help and shared stories have given me hope and the confidence needed to proceed. Thank you again and good luck to you all!!!!!!!

Research Around The World

The link I chose was for Early Childhood Australia. Some of the current international research topics include learning an teaching through play, experiences of accessing quality long day care in northern regional Australia, leading literacy learning through family, and the perspective of indigenous early childhood workers on suporting the engagement of indigenous families in early childhood settings. What I found to be extremely interesting was all the conferences availabe to early childhood educators and parents.  One that caught my attention was the conference on autism/asperger syndrome.  My cousin has a child who was recently diagnosed with autism and her child's physician has only been able to tell her very litte about this syndrome.  I am not aware of these types of conferences being offered where she or I reside.  If so, I would certainly hope that she would attend.  I would also hope that the early childhood educators in MS would attend as well.  In North Brisbane the conference is a full day of immediately useful solutions to assisting young people with austim or asperger syndrome improve communication, social, behavioural and general life skills.  Endless examples are provided of successful interventions to help combat sensory difficulties and stress overload and showcases effective classroom practice and useful resources. I found this to be a very interesting way to help parents and educators with understanding more and being able to assist children with autism or asperger have better quality of lives. Several early childhood educators I have spoken with are fearful of having a child with either syndrome in the classroom because they simply do not know how to care for the child....."when you know better, you do better".

Research the benefits children

I think if I possessed the means and the knowledge to conduct research that would benefit children and families on any topic in the early childhood education field it would be rather children who attend preschool perform better academically than those children who did not attend preschool.  I believe that if the results from the data showed a statistically significant increase in academic scores from children who attended preschool opposed to those children who didn’t it would be beneficial in getting parents to become aware of the importance of preschool.  Parents would be more likely to enroll their children in preschool and be actively involved with their children’s road to academic success.  It would also be beneficial in getting state legislature to fund and make preschool mandatory for all children with the exception of those children being home schooled. 

Personal Research Journey

The topic for simulation that I have chosen is mandated preschool programs. I chose this topic because I see so many young children miss out on the opportunity to experience attending an early childhood education program because their parents can't afford to pay the tuition/childcare fees.  There are, however, some families who simply choose not to allow their child to attend due to a lack of understanding or knowledge about the importance of preschool as well as some parents who just want to keep their child at home; especially if they are unemployed by choice. I believe that law should mandate preschool programs to make early childhood education available to all families regardless of socio-economic status and parents should be mandated to allow their child to attend unless the child is being home schooled. Constructing the research chart has given me more insight on what information goes under which subtopic, how to decipher through the information I read, and what information isn't relevant.  If any of my colleagues have advice, insight, or resources to share that would be beneficial to me in completing the research process in this course, it would be greatly appreciated as I will do the same.