Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Today I was at Hobby Lobby, I highly enjoy walking around looking at the sales and getting ideas for my home, generally you do not see many men in the store. Today there was a man there who was helping his fiancée with table arrangements for their wedding. The couple was excited and had another person with them possibly a family member, however the comments continually came from the lady who was their wedding planner. She would make comments about how she couldn’t believe that he would be interested in something like this or would not listen to his input on the situation. I found myself lingering wanting to stick up for this man. After three to four off hand comment the bride caught one and told her “I am a lucky one to caught a man who puts us first”. I wanted to high five her. I could see his whole demeanor change after his bride to be defended him. I wanted to tell him props for caring and wanting to be a part of the process, however I smiled the other person with them saw me and smiled back as I walked away.

I find that through this observation we need to be continually reminding ourselves to get to know those around us and be careful with the words we saw. Being aware of what others are going through in important to know why they are doing what they are doing. In this case today it was a man showing the woman of his dreams that he loved and supported her. Did he care about those floral arrangements and the colors possibly, but more than likely he wanted to be there to show her he loved and supported her.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Rebecca (friend and colleague)

Culture is the pieces to our everyday puzzle that make us who we are. It is our religion, language, race and so on that shape us who we are.

Diversity is the differences in society’s cultures allowing for people to be able to be different. It is a part of our life that can create issues of allow for us to learn about others depending who we utilize the information gained.

Amanda (friend)

Culture is our religion, race, ethnicity, language anything that defines our beliefs and values we hold dear to us.

Diversity is the differences within groups of people.

Joel (Husband)

Culture is our language, religion, ethnicity, and background of who we are and where we came from.

Diversity is the variance of groups of people.

While asking for the definitions of what is culture and diversity there was hesitance each time as they began to define the term. Each person is from a different economic, religious, gender, age, abilities, and social class.

I find the answers I received from the participants did mirror with the definitions of culture and diversity, which are:

Culture is groups of people and how they live. It includes everything that is valued, beliefs, language, and religion (Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O., 2010, p.55).

Diversity is the unique differences within people and their culture (Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O., 2010, p.55).

Each individual omitted the parts of culture that can include abilities and economic social standings. These are important parts of cultural differences to create identity.

Reflecting on what others definitions of culture and diversity are just continue to prove the broadness of the topics. The meanings of the words are different to everyone some are more precise and others believe it to be less diverse. Being able to learn more about culture and diversity will greatly impact me as an early educator giving me more insight to better be able to serve those in the programs I am a part of.

Reference:

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Learning about culture, language, & Fairness. In Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves (p. 55). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Family Culture

The first item would be a family picture we have of a homecoming that includes a majority of my and my husband’s side of the family. It represents love and who raised us to be who we are today. Second, a bible to carry on the beliefs we have through our faith and continue to learn and grow from. Believing in a higher power something bigger than us is important to know to our family. Last would be the necklace I wear around my neck holding a cross and a ring. The ring is the gold from the wedding rings of my grandparent’s wedding bands signifying the love to hold for others. The cross is in it represents the faith I have.

If I was told I could not keep all three I would feel as though part of me was lost with the other two. Being able to choose one the family photo would be the item I would hold on to. Sharing the photo with those around you can help identify and share the values and beliefs held and instilled within.

            Through this exercise I have learned the value I hold on my family and the values and beliefs they have instilled in me. To me family is everything blood or inherited through friends or marriage. Being able to have and hold those and be reminded of their importance is of high importance to me.

When I Think Research....

From this course I have gained a great deal of insight on how to properly gather information, validate and back the research through sources. Being able to do these aspects to a higher ability allow for me to be a greater asset to the early learning community by being able to ensure the information I gather as well as share is valid. I have learned to take the proper time to learn through the research and do not rush any of the steps of creating, implementing or conducting. Allow ample time to be able to redo steps to improve the outcome.

Planning, designing and conducting research takes time and planning to a high degree. The information from this course better prepares me for the obstacles that come into play when creating the simulations. Identifying the issues and creating the answers to the challenges is important when working to become a researcher.

As the course unfolded I had issues with ensuring the details and necessary information to create my simulation was complete. Identifying the changes that were necessary to creating a stronger simulation became important week to week. Through the course and dissecting the materials I have learned to ask questions, validate each component of research and ask many questions as I already do. Most importantly I have been yet again reminded always be clear and precise on what is expected from the children and families.

Research Around the World

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) is the website that sparked an interest for me due to many of my friends over the years have studied abroad there as well as have professionally lived in Australia. 

While browsing the site I came across many of the same points of interest for advocating, health and wellness as well as school transitions. The ECA focused on sleep as a separate entity of importance. The resources available where highly informative on anything and everything a parent may want to know about their child and their child’s sleep habits. Sleepwalking, length of time a child should sleep, bedtime rituals and other common issues are discussed at length (Early Childhood Australia, n.d.).

Sleep is important for children when I child sleeps they are able to rest and allow for the necessary connections to be made in their brain. A child who is well rested is also commonly in a better mood as well as more highly engaged in the activities with better focus. Being able to ensure children get their proper uninterrupted sleep at night as well as in the rest times designated throughout the day is important. ECA also points out the time to comfort is a bonding time for the child and the parent/provider (Early Childhood Australia, n.d.). Being able to reduce anxiety for a child when it is time to go to sleep creates the ability for the child to have reduced anxiety and also be healthier (Early Childhood Australia, n.d.). Educating the parents on the importance of sleep could allow for the child's time in the classroom to be more enjoyable. 

Early Childhood Australia.  (n.d.). Sleeping. Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/parent-resources/sleeping/