The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

Years ago, my stepmother Valerie and I were on a girl's trip in Napa Valley. We came across a shopping center that had rows of boutiques that would have her shopping for hours. I am not much of a shopper, so I was just there for company and conversation. Valerie and I came across this store that had gorgeous clothing on one side and home décor connected on another. I instantly knew she was going to do damage when we entered. We were in the store for more than half an hour and absolutely no one came to ask if we needed assistance however, I noticed that they were helping others but thought nothing of it. Valarie had determined what items she wanted from the home décor side and would have them shipped back home to Maryland as we moved on to the clothing side. After selecting a few articles of clothing, she looked for a salesperson in hopes of trying the items on. She found a young lady that worked in the boutique and asked about a dressing room. The young lady told us to give her a moment, step away and began talking to an older woman not far from us. The older women approached us and began to tell Valerie a little about the clothing and how the sizes fit in a not so welcoming tone. The next thing to come out of the women's mouth were both bias and prejudice in my opinion. She began to say that there was a similar shopping strip a few miles away and they would probably have something more in her size and price range. Valerie attempted to looked over what the salesperson was saying and asked once more if she could try the clothes on. The salesperson then says if we just must have something out of the store then maybe she should try looking at the clearance section for something in her range. It was in that moment the atmosphere and the conversation took an ugly turn. I think the saleswoman was clearly prejudice against African American clientele and thought that we either did not deserve the clothing or could not afford it for whatever her reasons. I was livid with the way things happen, not only were we not greeted upon entering the boutique, in addition to that the reason we were not given the opportunity as the other shoppers were because we did not fit her usual description of a shopper.  

I strongly feel that the only way that incident or incidents like this one could have a better outcome is for anyone working in the public to remove ALL personal bias or retain jobs that the do not inflict their prejudices on other because of their ethnicity. Although that is somewhat unrealistic until we can deal with our own prejudices, we cannot stop the spread of the damage biases do, be it major or minor. We need to take a pause and try to place ourselves in others positions to see how it could make us feel if we are spoken to or treated less than we deserve.  

Practicing Awareness of Microagression

Microaggression has stood out more to me within this past week than it ever has before. I can recall a instance that occurred last year when I was speaking to a friend and she invited me to join a women book club that she herself had recently joined. I was extremely excited because I enjoy reading as well as meeting new people so this should have been perfect for me. I arrived at the home of the host a couple of weeks after we began reading our book. To my understanding the host did a few finger foods or a dish that everyone can enjoy and we could bring a bottle of wine if we chose to. It being my first time I brought a bottle of red and white wine. I was greeted by the host and saw my friend immediately as I entered. The first thing the host said with a beautiful smile on her face was welcome and " you're not at all what I pictured when Sandra told me about you". That should not have surprised me. I do not think that she meant to be offensive in anyway with her statement however, it was. As others gathered and greeted each other the host was interestingly attentive to me. I tried to push away my feelings of discomfort as she walked over to me and says my name and proceeds to say "I was not sure if you would be okay with what I prepared so I just ordered some pizza and wings". I am certain she saw how offended I was in that moment. It took me by surprise and was extremely upsetting that she would assume anything of me without asking first. I attempted to respectfully tell her that I appreciated that gesture however, I DO NOT eat pizza and wings really are not my thing either. My tone was a bit sharp and I genuinely tried to display a smile as I spoke those words.

This week has been emotionally stressful. I turned on the television which is a part of my morning routine when getting ready for work. Although I generally listen to it more than I am still enough to watch it I found myself staring in disbelief with watching the officer resting on the neck of George Floyd killing him. I am sadden to learn of anyone's death and one that is as senseless as this. As a result there have been protest that have evolve into senseless rioting, destroying property , vehicles and and landmarks that will not bring about the justice or a sensible resolution. I feel that while police are there to protect and serve maybe there should be an added platform of  training or skill set taught to handle situations in a more conducive manner. Resting your knee in a person neck to the point of causing their death, fist fighting, roughing up or other hostile approaches are NOT warranted for every circumstance which of late appears to be occurring more and more in the African American community. It is disappointing and upsetting that we have come so far and yet have accomplished nothing.

Reference
photo:https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamrowe1/2019/11/24/one-app-is-helping-thousands-of-book-clubs-organize-in-the-digital-age/#492f34a51b26

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I decided to inquire with my neighbor, my co-worker, and a friend what their definition of culture and diversity were. It was interesting to hear their perspectives of both.

When I asked what their definition of culture is they replied:

Culture is a way of life.
Culture is our beliefs, traditions, and overall approach of life.
Culture is the values we are taught about life.

When I asked them to share their definition of diversity I receive the following responses:

Diversity is having an experience with anything or anyone other than your norm.
Diversity is having exposure to other cultures and not limiting yourself in a box.
Diversity is being open to others way of life.

The answers I received were reflected in the responses shared with me from everyone I asked. "Every day, in our every action, we express our particular group culture and our individuals relationship to our culture" (Derman-Sparks, 2010). I was in agreement with their responses as culture entails all the elements that play a role in the way we live our lives.

Everyone provided a general response to both definition however, to be more specific what was missing from their statements were " Culture is "the way we eat, sleep, talk, play, care for the sick, relate to one another, think about work, arrange our kitchens, and remember our dead" (Derman-Sparks, 2010). The picture above is an example of culture, it is a picture of my eldest daughter graduating from college with her sisters by her side. Having a higher education is valuable as well as  having the support of family in your life accomplishments aids in reaching those challenging life goals in addition to that, family support is simply priceless.

The definitions I was given on diversity and culture allowed me to reflect back on all the factors that have shaped me into the person I am. It has also given me time to see how fortunate I have been and appreciate all the aspects of my culture. Being a part of a diverse family, my community of co-workers as well as friends has afford me with valued life long experience and relationships.

Reference

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

Picture this : A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

What if something like this were to really occur? What would you bring and why? Those were the first two questions I asked myself and I had to do some deep thinking. Two items came to mind instantly for me which were my Bible and my cell. The third item took me a little longer to decide upon however, it would be a blanket. The first item being my Bible will always be my go to for any situation as it provides unbiased guidance. The second of the items I would bring would be my cell because it holds memories, music, photos, videos and host of other personal things that I can view and share with my family to help with the transition of having to cope such a devastating event of not being left with a choice of where they will now call home. The third item being a blanket would be another source of comfort and shared memories. 

If I had to share with others the importance of these items to myself and my family I would provide them with purpose of each item. My Bible would be the source of myself and my families faith and helping to guide us through life's circumstances on a spiritually balance level. If we are struggling with stress due to having our lives uprooted, fear, worry or other emotions the Bible has passages to guide us through them. If I had to share with others what my cell phone means to me I would explain how the world has depended on technology a great deal over the past twenty years and it does not appear to be changing. My cell would keep us connected to others in our family that may not have gotten placed in our designated country as well as it holds those valued photos, videos along with many more tools. The third item of a blanket is another item of comfort for myself and my children. I have given all of my daughters blankets that they do not travel without. Their blankets have a piece of their baby blanket along with other pieces of clothe that have been apart of them that they could not let go. I would share with others that I decided to have those blankets made because it is something that my grandmother did for me and it is a loving and tangible way to have those sentimental memories displayed. 

I would be doleful if I were told that I could only retain one of the three items selected to be with me. I would keep my Bible because as I shared it would be the guidance needed to cope with the situation and any other circumstances. The comfort of the blanket along with having the visuals of memories from a cell would be helpful however if for some reason  the new country does not operate of power or towers are lost electronic devices would be of no use. My family culture would be fully expressed and shared from my faith and religious belief. 

Although this is a hypothetical situation it has highlighted that I am sentimental about the memories of my family past and present however, I rely on my Bible for more than anything. I am not perfect and do not have a perfect family but when we need help and guidance we have our faith to help us to make the right choices and handle life circumstances in a constructive manner. I am aware that there are a vast number of religions along with languages and cultures in the world and it would be my intention to embrace and adapt to the changes of my evacuation site. I would also fully respect the new country that we would call home nonetheless, I shall rely on my Bible to assist with transitioning to this new way of living. 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” -1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

Reference

Photo : http://www.familylovefaith.com/

Quote: https://www.godtube.com/news/40-powerful-quotes-to-inspire-you-and-your-family.html

Perspectives on Diversity and Equity

As with every class I find myself filled with anxiety. I am however looking forward to challenging myself to learning something new and seeing things from others perspectives. Because everyone is not raised the same and most definitely will not think the same I am eager to see the world through the perspective of others within this next course.

Reference
https://motivationping.com/quotes/

When I Think of Research ....

Why is your simulation important to the field of early childhood?

The simulation I selected is important to the field of early childhood for many reasons. There are varied factors that play a role in early child development. Providing activities and opportunities for parents, students and educators to build stronger relationships will help guide their early learners developmental skills. I also strongly believe that having parents involve gives the parents and the educator insights sooner than later if the child needs to focus more on a specific skill. For instance like this short entry from an article I read from NAEYC.

"During my first year working in a preschool setting, I was dismayed to see how many parents left their parent-teacher conferences upset or even crying. In my own conference with parents, one mother of a delightful, very verbal child was understandably disappointed when I explained that her daughter’s academic and social-emotional skills were not as far along as her verbal skills. She had assumed that because of her daughter’s verbal abilities, she was on track or ahead in other prekindergarten skills. The mother was unsure of what was expected at this age and had missed some opportunities at home to help her daughter develop academically. And I had missed opportunities to help her acquire the tools to do so.

As I moved through my career, I found that many parents were perplexed as they navigated the educational system with their young children. Many had little understanding of child development or developmentally appropriate practices. They wanted to help their child, but they didn't know how. They often arrived at their first parent-teacher conference to find themselves bombarded with unfamiliar educational concepts and terms like phonological awareness and numeracy"(Kirkwood,2016).

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/blog/understanding-power-parent-involvement

If you were to conduct your simulation proposal, who would benefit?

I think the full article is worth the read. It describes the teachers perspective of what she could have done differently to help both her student and the parent. I believe the simulation in which I selected will provide an understanding from some and reassurance for others. Providing a study on parent involvement activities can benefit a child early development as well as the parent and educator.  There is a learning opportunity for both the participants and the researcher.

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

My perception of an early childhood professional has been impacted due to this course in a positive manner.Early childhood professionals play an important role in the research of learning approaches within early childhood development. In learning the process in addition to methods of research I realize that as an educator there are varied proven ways to help reach and teach a child. I also feel that there are a number of studies that provide useful approaches to professionals in their endeavors to connect with parents in helping them better educate and build on their child developmental skills. 

Reference

Kirkwood, D. (2016, April 11). Understanding the Power of Parent Involvement. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/blog/understanding-power-parent-involvement

Photo

https://www.eagleschools.net/news/please-schedule-your-parent-teacher-conference

Research Around the World

What are some of the current international research topics?

Immediately after I selected the European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECERJ) to discover what are current international topics I came across several articles that highlighted integrating technology in early childhood. "The EECERJ, the Journal of EECERA, is one of the most prestigious early childhood journals in the world. It is one of only four early years journals indexed by the Institute for Scientific Information" (EERECJ, 2020). Technology is one of many topics I have mixed emotions on in regards to early child development. I feel strongly that if we are going to allow our children to use technology whether it be a computer or even a smartphone we should guide their learning by joining in on their experience in using technology. Children are so much more intelligent than most individuals give them credit for. I think we should not just tell them what not to do when it come to technology but show them why certain websites are not for them to fully help them understand. When we do fully express certain topics to children toddlers or teenagers some tend to become more curious. In permitting children access to technology I also believe that it should be use primarily as reinforcement as children need to interact with one another to develop their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. "Healthy development in the early years (particularly birth to three) provides the building blocks for educational achievement, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, lifelong health, strong communities, and successful parenting of the next generation" (DVC, 2020). 

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

Although past research (Arnott, Palaiologou, and Gray 2019; Fleer 2018, 2019; Mascheroni and Holloway 2019) describe the pros and cons related to the integration of technology in early childhood education and the subsequent influences on children’s cognitive learning and effective engagement with their everyday world, early childhood settings need more guidance in relation to what high-quality pedagogies with technologies may look like. This guidance needs to align closely with the founding principles of early childhood education–linked to play and child-center readiness–to ensure technologies become complementary resources,rather than competing artifacts which, some consider, may threaten early childhood ways of being (Kewalramani, 2020). According to the research done within this article technology can effectively be implemented in early childhood learning. Because of what is currently taking place all over the world having a reinforcement to learning for children of all ages makes technology based learning ideal. "The issue also provides innovative research evidence about how this can include pedagogies and practices for babies and toddlers (0–3) as well as Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning in early childhood education. It presents meaningful ways to engage the disengaged, how technology as multi modal artefacts complements the interactions that happen in an EC setting, extend education outside the classroom to enable children collecting digital data" (Kewalramani, 2020). As I stated before I have mixed emotions on technology in early childhood learning and like most anything there are pros and cons.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

There are countries that are successfully implementing technology based programs in early childhood learning. The article expressed how Turkish preschool has discovered improvement of a child motor skills "Bulca and Hürrem Özdurak present a distinctive instructional approach supported with visual materials to improve children’s locomotor skill learning in Turkish pre-schools. They provide a quantitative analysis to demonstrate the effects of digital physical exercise videos for improving children’s locomotor skill performance. We now have‘one of its kind’evidence that children who experience more movements with the applied video modelling techniques develop and improve their motor skills" (Kewalramani, 2020). Discovering new ways to teach children and assisting in the developmental learning within technology can be useful however, I fear that it is likely that it will take away from role of play and the benefits it incorporates for early child development. "Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. ... Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills" (Ginsburg, 2007). 

References

European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECERJ). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.eecera.org/journal/

Kewalramani, S., Arnott, L., & Dardanou, M. (2020, March 20). Technology-integrated pedagogical practices: a look into evidence-based teaching and coherent learning for young children. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1350293X.2020.1735739

What is Early Childhood Development? A Guide to Brain Development. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/guide/what-is-early-childhood-development-a-guide-to-the-science/

Kenneth R. Ginsburg, ; and the Committee on Communications and ; and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health

Pediatrics January 2007, 119 (1) 182-191; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-2697

http://owlconnected.com/archives/tech-overload-technology-classroom