Professional Hopes and Goals....(Week 8)

Hopes…..

"We live now in a global village and we are in one single family. It’s our responsibility to bring friendship and love from all different places around the world and to live together in peace."

------Jackie Chan, Chinese Actor, Philanthropist

Goals…….

My goal for the early childhood field related to diversity is create an early childhood environment that represents a variety of cultures. Also, my goal is to train early childhood professionals on the importance of being an anti-bias teacher. The training will give them the knowledge of culture sensitivity and the understanding of social identities in children and families.

Thanks…..

Welcoming Families From Around the World..Week 7

El Salvador

Ø  At least five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family.

1.  Research the gender roles in the family.

2. Learn basic words in the family’s language such as, “Hello" and "Goodbye." Also, label some important areas in the classroom of the child's native language.

 3.  Learn some home culture dynamics by home-visits with the family. Seeing the family in their natural environment can give an insight on the child's identity.

 4.  Learn their views on education since the child is starting the child care center. This will give a sense of the direction the family wants for their child educationally.

5. Learn the family’s religious belief. The family may chose not to immunize their child because of religious reason.

  



     Starting with the preparation process, this will give me a sense of culture in El Salvador. Some of the cultural identity could be a part of the family’s social identity. Children learn culture through family and friends that are pass down. Coming to the child care center, the staff can learn aspects to understand the family’s culture without judgment. For example, if the child is 2years and still being breastfed, we cannot judge the mother for her chose, it could be cultural. Also, the family may feel comfortable about their new surrounding to see how the staff is embracing their culture.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppresion.....

I BELIEVE THE MEDIA HELP SHAPES THE WAY OF THINKING OF SOCIETY….

 

Ø  This morning I was watching one of my favorite re-run TV shows, The Golden Girls. The Golden Girls is based on the lives and interactions of four older women whom have all been divorced/widowed, and are now roommates. This episode was centered on the main character Dorothy teaching a group of students that was unmotivated except for one person. An Asian man where his character was characterized to be an overachiever and out do everyone in the classroom. When Dorothy sees the difference between the students, she makes the comment to the Asian man, “We are never going to beat you people." This comment was gear towards the Asian stereotype that they are smart and will always be on top.

Ø  This example shows how the others students of other races are not as motivated as the Asian character. Also, I believe making such a generalization of the Asian student, to the non Asian students is an example of distinct bias.

Ø  Watching this is episode before this course I would have thought it was an harmless comment. Now, I feel sad for the Asian student that he was characterized in such a stereotypical way.

Ø  If the character Dorothy did not make that comment and view the Asian student’s achievement as a way to bridge the class together, this would have been an opportunity for equity.