Welcoming Families From Around the World

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Our newest student and his/her family to our early childhood care center, is from a city in Bogotá which is in Colombia.  Columbia is among one of the top ten Spanish speaking countries in the world.  It’s important that the teacher and administration is on the same page as well.  The administration should be in charge of finding out as much as they can about the students past educational background.  The administration should set out a specific plan on how to welcome the family into our educational community.  A sit down meeting will happen explaining all the formalities. 

In efforts of preparing to welcome my new student and her family I would do as much research as I can about Bogota.  I will hope that my research will educate me on some of their popular customs and beliefs.  I will be sure to feel out my new student and not just believe everything that I read on line.  The information that I gain online may not always be accurate so I would have to keep that in mind while conducting my research. 

I will get my students excited and have them help prepare a warm welcome for our new student as well.  Each of my students will be responsible for finding out one thing about Bogota.  We will then prepare the classroom with pictures and anything else that could remind our new student of home.  My thinking behind this is to get the students involved and excited.  I will also explain to my students in the class that our new student may not speak fluent English so we will have to be very patient.  In efforts to bridge the possible language barrier I will make sure I have tools that will help me translate from Spanish to English and vice versa.  I will rely on what little bit of Spanish that I know and try to brush up on the most used phrases.

When the students arrives I will set up a forum where the student will introduce themselves.  I will be sure to set up a time to meet with the parents prior to their child’s first day, in additional to the end of their child’s first day or sometime during the child’s first week.  I think that this will help me get a better since of the family and their educational commitment as well as setting up a habit of being involved.

The transition of a new student from a different country can be challenging.  I would like to think that the efforts that I mentioned above would not go unnoticed where the family is involved.  I think that the family will seem touched by any efforts to make them feel welcomed.  I would l hope that this is the beginning relationship that consist of open communication for the well-being of the child.

The student and their family is all of a sudden in a world that is foreign to them.  People will often speak different, there will be different foods, music, customs, rules, etc…  However if the administration, teachers, and parents put in their best efforts the transition can be stress free and actually fun and exciting for the child. 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

One of my friends who is Arab experiences prejudice on a consistent basis.  Whenever I go back Buffalo New York to visit I make it a point to stop by and see my friends.  The couple that I go visit consist of a Haitian woman and an Arab man.  There are many occasions where we would want to go to Canada to hang out and we choose not to.  Canada is only 20 minutes from Buffalo so it is always a nice little trip.  We already know that if we go with Murad "who is an Arabian man" that there is a good chance we will get stopped at the border.  The employees at the border control seem to target Arabs especially those that noticeably practice the Muslim religion and African Americans. 

It seems weird to see an ethnicity that is targeted more than more own.  When the custom officers stop you at the border they will then take your car and luggage to search it.  While they conduct their search other officers will ask you a series of questions.  This process will go on over and over again and for hours.  There are cases where they will even search you.  In a sense they are saying all Arabs are terrorist and all African Americans are trying to smuggle drugs into the United States.  It is one thing when the custom officers search your car but it is even more demeaning when they choose to search you.  It is a terrible feeling when you know that you have done nothing wrong, and you just went over the border to have some fun.  Now on your trip back you are put in the situation where you feel like you have no rights and you are at the mercy of someone else to either make this process an easy and fast one or a difficult and long one.

I do understand that unfortunately officials in positions like the custom border patrol has to take “profiles” into consideration.  However I do not think they have to go to the extent that they do in all cases.  You should not automatically be pulled over because of your ethnicity.  There should be other factors that one should consider.  I think that border control personal should go through more intense ethics training.  There should be programs and training the officers should attend every so often.  I think after a while the custom border patrol begin to get lazy and start prejudging and act more on their prejudices more than really having a good reason to pull someone over.

Microagressions and Their Impact

Microagressions and Their Impact

Microaggressions have the ability to be the most harmful.  I am sure we have all been in situations that resulted in someone taking an undeliberate “jab” towards our gender, race, culture, or ethnicity.  Some of the ladies at work were talking about hair extensions, and hair weave.  The group of ladies consisted of two Caucasian women and myself.  During the conversation one of my coworkers turns to me and ask “why do you guys wear so much hair weave, and have such crazy hairstyles?”  The question caught me completely off guard considering that I have never worn weave before in my life.  However because I am African American I would just automatically know.  To me they were saying that all black women wear hair weaves.  In addition because I am Black I should know the answer to their question.  They are leaving out the fact that many races wear hair weaves these days.  I felt very alienated, confused, insulted, and shocked.

This week’s assignments has made me realize how a comment can really make someone feel inferior or signaled out.  The assignments have made me want to be very aware of any microagressions that I may have been guilty of in the past.  I am a part of a marginalized group and learning about and how to be more aware of microagressions has made me more sensitive and empathetic to other marginalized group.  Learning about microagressions is very import to the field of early childhood education.  As educational professionals we have to be very careful not to use microagressions towards our students.  Our job is to make each child feel like they belong, they are relevant, and sense of security.   

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Oleksiy Lavanstivitch is a white immigrant who is originally from the Ukraine, he speaks Russian, and moved to Canada in his teenage years:  Oleksiy defines culture as different foods, languages, customs, and beliefs. 

Oleksiy’s definition of diversity “is how people are different from you.”  Oleksiy says that “he would base diversity more on race.” 

Erica James is African American and was born and raised in Brooklyn NY.  Erica went to high school at Brooklyn Tech.  Erica said that her school was mostly filled with Asians.  Erica says, “Culture to her is religion, beliefs, food, customs, and ancestry.” 

Erica says that, “diversity is race related to her, people’s skill levels, the way they dress, talk, interact with each other all falls under diversity to her.”

Ebi Lee is an African immigrant from Nigeria.  Ebi moved to the United States in her early 20’s.  Ebi says, “Culture to her is language, foods, and clothing.”

Ebi says, “That diversity to her is how everyone is different even when it comes to people from the same place.”  For example in Nigeria they have people who are from different tribes and they speak different languages, and have many different family customs.

Oleksiy, Ebi, and Erica mentioned many of the examples and answers that were addressed in the resources from this week’s assignment.  I like that Erica brought up ancestry.  A lot of the customs, music, food, clothes, and traditions get passed down from our ancestors.  Ancestry makes me think of artifacts, pictures, and family treasures that are passed down through generation to generation.

My Family Culture

My Family Culture"3 Things"

  

We get so use to our life as we know it.  If I had to face a major catastrophe and could only bring three items to my new world, it would be; a picture album, iPad, and credit cards.  I would have the photo album as a memory of my friends and immediate family during happier times.  I believe that this is what would keep my spirits up.  These memories would give me the strength to know that we will see happy times again.  A photo album would be a great reminder of the life as I knew it.  It would be a great way to tell my story to others too!

My phone or iPad would be a helpful tool to have.  These little tools hold so much information.  I would have access to the internet.  I could use my iPad/phone to job search, keep up with current affairs, and it would be a great resource gate to my old life.  I would also have access to all my contacts in hopes of reconnecting with some people one day.  I would bring a credit card.  I would try to immediately pull all cash off my card.  I am sure money will make being in a foreign land a lot easier.

I would keep my iPad if I was told that I could only keep one item.  My iPad would be my greatest resource to the life that I would be leaving behind, and the new way that I would be beginning.  My iPad would still have pictures, contacts, banking information, means to getting a new job and finding a place to stay.

I realized that I love memories.  I like to reflect on where I have been, where I am at in that moment, and where I strive to be.  Considering that I would choose my iPad is a great reflection on my world’s reality.  I do think that there is a lack family culture when it comes to my family.  My family’s culture aligns with the United States dominant culture.  Our ancestry goes back to times of slavery.  In those days your last name, customs, and beliefs were those of your masters; which in today’s society would be considered the dominant culture.  My ascribed categories are the best display of my diversity.

When I Think of Research

When I Think of Research

This class was a wealth of information when it comes to conducting research.  I learned about the validity of sites when it comes to retrieving information online.  This was very helpful even in regards to everyday life.  I have a good handle on what a quantitative design is and a qualitative design. 

When doing research;   now I know now how to break my research into parts.  I know how to decipher between my different types of variables.  This helps me decide which constraints I would like to put into play when it comes to my research pool.  I also understand the emphasis on ethics, especially when it comes to the field of early childhood education.

When conducting research I see that each project starts with a question or theory.  From that question or theory you need to consider different techniques you will choose to collect your data.  When formulating your pool you need to consider your variables. 

The tricky elements of equality in research are very new to me.  Equality can lead to many constraints and brings into to play many extraneous variables.  Equity leading towards justice and fair is easier to obtain than just equality as it stands alone.  Of course your research pool will have to have evidence of some constraints in order to keep its validity.  When it comes down to it you have to choose what variable you need to take into consideration, and remember to be just and fair when it comes to picking your research pool.

I have learned that there are so many professions that you can pursue when deciding to enter the field of early childhood education.  I feel that researchers can be the fields biggest advocates when they conduct studies and prove what you believe is the greatest benefit to early childhood education.  This course has thought me that a lot of thought, studies, and careful consideration goes into formulating ideas, and processes for early childhood education.

Research Around the World

Research Around the World               

                               

I chose to discuss some of the practices that early childhood researchers and professionals are discussing in Australian.  Some of the trends, issues, and research topics that are listed on the early Early Childhood Australia site are:

Belonging, Being and Becoming

School readiness and children's transitions

Sustainability, global warming and climate change

Baby and toddler sleeping

Child health and childhood obesity

Educators in uncertainty over Early Years Quality Fund

Qualifications matter in Early Childhood

Australia early childhood professionals and advocates seem to be facing the same issue and concerns that we face here in the United States.  Funding for quality early childhood programs is a constant fight.  Australia educational professionals are pushing for inclusion as well.  Reading some of the information provided on this site was just like reading one of the reputable sites here in the United States dealing with early childhood issues, events, and politics.   

There’s a huge push to educate young children on global warming and its huge effects in Australia.  I feel that this is a topic that is not discussed with our young as much here in the United States.  Global warming is going to get worse over the years.  The effects will be greater on the children now who will be adults dealing with this issue then.  If we instill good habits and educate young children then they can become more aware and begin at an early age learning how to preserve the environment.

Early Childhood Australia, (2013). Retrieved from

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/resource_themes.html