Professional Goals and Dreams

We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.” I hope that the knowledge that I have gained from this class has prepared me to create a cultural diverse classroom, so that children who come from diverse backgrounds can feel welcomed and so that they can feel appreciated as they experience their own culture as well as learn about other cultures. My goal as an early childhood professional, I would like to be a part of the change in how we view diversity, equity, and social justice within the early childhood field. I would like to make sure that all children and their families feel free to be themselves and they all receive the same rights and respect like any other culture. I would like to thank all of my colleagues for the support and encouragement that you have given me over the past several weeks. I have learned so much from you all and you have showed that you are passionate about your educational goals. We are a diverse group, but we managed to be respectful and passionate toward each other when discussing personal and painful moments of diversity. I wish all of you success as you continue to move forward in your goals and dreams of being professionals in the early childhood field.

Welcomng Families From Across the World

                                                IVORY COAST

The name of “your” family’s country of origin

Ivory Coast

At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1.     I would learn the history of the Ivory Coast through extensive research, because I want to be familiar with the basic traditions, values, and environment of the country. I would also have to find out the families language preference to see if need to include a language specialist in my entry process, however since the family is bilingual, I do not have to use a language specialist, and English is a language that is spoken in their home.  
2.     I would learn about the cultures of the Ivory Coast through reading books, classes, and workshops.  To become more familiar with the family, I would communicate with them through emails, newsletters, or via satellite to get a better understanding of their culture, and to see if the information I have read reflects what the family tells me.  I would listen to the parent’s perspective on what culture is for them.

 3.    During my communication process with the parents, I would find out what do they want for their children while being in our program.  I would find out what are their goals, and the care and education practice that best meets their child’s needs. 

4.    Before the child enters the program, I would ask the parents if I could observe the child and family culture through internet or through web cam.  But if the family is already settled within the community, I would do consistent home visits with the family.  I believe that I can read about the culture of a family, but observation is a key aspect of truly experiencing a different culture.

5.    After I have received and processed the information that I have read and the insights that I have gained from the parents and my observation, I will create an environment that is cultural responsive to the needs of the child and their family.  For example, in communicating with the parents, I found out that music is a very important to the child and the family culture; therefore I would include various drums in the setting.  Also in the educational setting, I will include appropriate and learning material of the child’s culture.  My goal is make sure the child and family have an easy transition into my program.

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

I hope that each statement will prepare me in providing the best care to the child so that the child can receive a cultural and individual developmental appropriate education.   Many children from the Ivory Coast do not attend school to age 6 and usually they are males; information like this will help me prepare for the incoming of the child and their culture  These statements will prepare me to have a responsive and open relationship with the child and the family.  Through these statements I have acquired education about a child and their culture that will benefit the developmental outcome of the child. 

 Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory_Coast

THE PERSONAL SIDE OF BIAS, PREJUDICE, AND OPPRESSON

“Prejudice is the reason of fools”

French Philosopher and Writer

What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

Prejudice is an attitude, opinion, or feeling formed without adequate prior knowledge, thought, or reason (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). The incident of prejudice that I witnessed was when my husband called one of his clients and stated the company name, and who he was and that he was on his way to her home in an hour. She asked him was he black and he stated yes.  She then told him that she did not want a “nigger at her house.  The lady was prejudice toward African Americans and she made it known through her attitude and conversation over the phone.  He then called his supervisor and they said for him not to approach her property and he didn’t, instead a Caucasian male had to go to the lady’s house.

In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

This incident diminished equity because, this lady attitude showed that Caucasians are dominant and many of them will never respect African Americans, perhaps age is the reason for prejudice, but it is still no excuse to make another human being feel unwanted and demeaned by hurtful words. 

What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

It was very hurtful, because in 2012 you do not think that people would still talk that way to people, but they do.

What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

Personally, I am striving professional and personal for social equity, but in this case the lady would have to make the effort to eliminate her negative views, attitude, and behavior toward people.  Furthermore, for greater equity, we must learn to treat everyone with respect.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. Washington: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).