Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions...(Week 4)

     As an African-American woman, I’ve always had to prove myself as an educated person. When I first moved for New Jersey to South Carolina I learn that people still judge you on their own biases and stereotypes. First I was judged for being from the North; southerner would say comments jokingly, but it wasn’t funny to me. A most recent example of microaggression is in my current profession. I’m Program Specialist for an early childhood program where I’m surrounded with colleagues of the dominant culture. Our program serves a variety of families, but the majority is American-American families. I was developing a newsletter on summer safety for children where I was addressing the need for sunscreen outsides. As the program director (Caucasian woman) reviewed the newsletter she comments, “Black people do not use sunscreen.” As African American woman, I was appalled! I immediately corrected her in an intelligent and proper matter. She felt assume and embarrassed, and I felt disrespected and offended. I looked at her differently for that point. This experience taught me that many people are judged on their own biases and stereotypes.   I’ve vowed to treat everyone the same regardless of whom they were.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture....(Week 3)

                                    Indian Store Owner…..

(Culture) My belief is that culture starts at home with family. Such praying and the way we dress in our Sari.

(Diversity) People that has different beliefs.

                                            My Sister….

(Culture) The way we are taught to do something. For example, cook certain food item and our beliefs.

(Diversity) Different type of thinking and beliefs from our own.

                   Caucasian Co-Worker (Early Childhood Professional)

(Culture) Culture starts at home where a variety things goes into developing cultural views. It is not what you see; it is what you we do.

(Diversity)  This is difference that can be embraced as a teachable moment for everyone.

Reflection…..

I like my co-worker explanation of diversity and culture. Her explanation reminded me of looking beyond the surface to culture. For example, it is not what we see, but what is deeper. Some professionals look at culture as what they see and taste. It was surprising to hear a deeper understanding.

One aspect that has been omitted is social identities that can be developed from the culture. Our cultural identity also influences how we live our other social identities (Derman and Edward, 2010).

Listening to other people definition of culture and diversity influenced me to learn more about culture and diversity to an effective early childhood professional. I think everyone needs to look at culture and diversity as a positive aspect in our society.

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

My Family Culture….. (Week 2)

(This is my Aunt Cassandra’s Painting-“Baby Quilt”.  http://www.cassandragillens.com/index.html)

Quilt…..

My grandma has always sewed quilts as a part of her culture. The handmade quilts are a symbol of individualization and strength that our family is bonded together. For instance, a quilt is a gift my grandma gives as a wedding gift to family. The quilt will give me conform as a reminder of my family culture is still a priority in my life.

Grandma’s Holy Bible…..

My grandma’s bible has a lot of family history in it. Not only is there great knowledge of our religion, but there is a lot of my family members’ date of birth and date of death.  This is important because it is a history of my ancestors. It will remind me of my foundation and my religion.

Childhood Photo Album…..

My childhood family album means a lot to me. The pictures are family birthday parties, church events, and family gathering. Looking at the pictures would give a connection to my roots. It will remind me how important it is to be close to my family.

 

• Overall, these items give me a sense of a connection to my family culture and know important it is for me to remember how I was raise, values, and beliefs. If I had to give up 2 of my items, I would feel a little lost and broken. I would feel like I’m leaving a piece of myself behind. I would try to remain strong, but I would be hurt inside.

• As a result of this exercise, I was able to reflect on what really matters to me. It is not about money or materialistic items.  It is about items that have richer meaning, such as representing my culture and family values.



When I Think of Research……

Insights….

During this course, I learned that I can be a researcher. I understand there is a process to follow, and I’m capable to master being a researcher by following the process. Also, I learned there are a lot pieces that go into a research study. It is not just forming a question it is examining resources, such as other studies for comparison.

Ideas….

The research process should not be taken lightly. I thought research was just looking up some facts and analyzing data. I understand each piece that goes into the research project is important.

Lessons…

During this process, I’ve learn when doing an early childhood study you to have a “blueprint” before doing the study. For example, deciding if the study design will be qualitative or quantitative study. Also, understanding you have to have a process when selecting participants for the study.

Challenges….

One challenge I had is after week 2 I decided to change my research topic. After choosing my first topic, I was unsure if I could build a quality research simulation after reflecting on some articles on the topic. I made the decision, with guidance from our professor to change my topic, and was able to build a quality research simulation study.

Perceptions…

 Since going through this course, I see early childhood as a research base field. A lot of practices, curriculum, and process are based on research data. As an early childhood professional, I’ve learned research plays an enormous part in our profession because it predicts what we do.

“Research Around the World”-Week 5

Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Current International Topics....

·         Assessing the Influence of Different Early Childhood Development Models on

Pre-School Children’s School Readiness in Kenya.

·         Assessment of Interaction and Stimulation in Single-Mother Low-Income Families.

·         Assessment of the Caring Practices in Two Motherless Babies’ Homes in Abia State, Nigeria and the Development and Delivery of a Nutrition Training Program to the Staff of These Homes to Improve Nutrition of Children in Their Care.

Insights.....

As I was exploring the international website, I’ve learned the well-being of children and family is the focus. Also, some of the concerns and issues are the same one we have in the U.S. For example, in Nigeria, there is a project, which looked at people’s understanding of “effective collaboration,” is the development of a guide on effective parent-school collaboration (ECDVU, 2005).  In the US, you can find several studies on how to build partnership with parents and the school.

Noteworthy....

What was a great add to the website was the different publication on early childhood in Africa. I was able to find an article dealing with, strengthening Africa’s contributions to child development research. With the variety of dated publication, it gives a good understand of child development. 

ECDVU. (2005). Early childhood development virtual university (ecdvu) sub-saharan africa (ssa). Retrieved from http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php

Research that Benefits Children and Families (Week 3)

        Currently I work under a school readiness program, and a research study was conducted to evaluate the program.  The readiness program was designed to help prepare children for school by providing funding support for early childhood services through community/county collaborations that address the unmet needs of young children and family (High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, 2006). The research study examined the quality of services provided to the children and families through home visitation programs, child care initiative programs, and 4K programs. The outcome was to continue identity the neediest families to help. Also, participants in all programs showed significant increases in their pre- and post-assessments.

        I believe the study was able show children and families in quality care programs, can lead to stronger developmental skills for the child to enter 1^st grade ready. With more pressure for children to succeed, it is imperative for program initiatives for our children’s future.

High/Scope Educational Research Foundation.  (2006). From implementation to impact: An evaluation of the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness program: Executive summary. Columbia: South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from http://www.scfirststeps.org/docs/2006HSEvalExecRpt.pdf.

My Personal Research Journey (Week 2)

RESEARCH JOURNEY

Starting on this journey, I didn’t know what to expect. My experience working on the simulation research process was intriguing because I learn how to select a topic look through a different lens. There were questions I learn I had to ask myself to narrow down a topic such as, “How can we best use this knowledge to optimise children’s learning, growth and development?”   Through the research chart, I realize how important it is to know terms used in the research process. For instance, I was unaware triangulation is the format that can be used to compare and combine different form or different source. Now that I understand this term, I will be able to understand a study that uses it. Also, I realize data and analyzing is a part of the research process I will enjoy. Having the opportunity to analyzing data that will show real information can lead to outcomes to the early childhood field. What advice do you have a new researcher in the research process?

Colleagues, please check out this resource to help with the research process:

Google Scholar

Naughton, G., Sharne, R., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research international perspectives on theory & practice. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Education.

 

Doris Cheng, P. (2010). Exploring the tactfulness of implementing play in the classroom: a Hong Kong experience. Asia-Pacific Journal Of Teacher Education, 38(1), 69-82

Gaffan, E. A., Martins, C., Healy, S., & Murray, L. (2010). Early Social Experience and Individual Differences in Infants' Joint Attention. Social Development, 19(2), 369-393.

Greenhoot, A. F., Tsethlikai, M., & Wagoner, B. J. (2006). The Relations between Children's Past Experiences, Social Knowledge, and Memories for Social Situations. Journal Of Cognition And Development, 7(3), 313-340.