Microaggression

One example of micro aggression that happened to me back in August was actually from a former parent of mines. Her child (a little boy) was a 3 year old in my Head Start class during last school term. He was a very sweet child but he was never really present at school, of course through no fault of his own! Over the summer I saw the child, his sister, and mother at our local grocery store. I a asked the mom if he was returning for a second year as well as asking her if her little girl would be attending. The mother proceeded to tell me that she had registered her daughter and that her son would be returning as well. She then went on to say that she was contemplating on putting her new four year old son in another program because she "heard" they learn more there than at Head Start😒😳!!! Really!!!! I really felt 'some type of way'! That's an insult to my face and she didn't even realize it?! In that moment I felt disrespected as her child's former teacher, I felt disrespect for the Head Start program as well! I don't think any malice was intended but I certainly felt not so good about her statement! Did she forget that her child rarely came to school??? How would he learn anything considering the fact he was never present! I work hard to ensure that my kids environment is one where learning is ongoing! I work hard on my education to ensure that my children are given the best chance at a successful future! So this was a blow to my efforts! But of course, I will never let that deter my determination in educating young children!! This has definitely taught me to watch what I say to others because words can definitely STING!!! By the way......her little girl is in my class this year😲😱!!! Lol! But I love, support, and teach this child just as I would any other child!!😻😻
This experience made me become more aware of the prejudices that exists when it comes to early childhood programs.....especially Head Start! We are viewed as babysitters instead of professionals who aide in the growth and development of young children! Remaining advocates for our field and kids,will hopefully help us overcome this "stigma" that we currently face!

Views of Culture and Diversity from Others

For this assignment I was required to interview three people from various backgrounds, etc. The three people that I chose were all African Americans but from different generations and backgrounds. The first was my husband who is in his 30's, and of course he's a male. The second person was a woman in her 50's, and the second was a young woman in her 20's. Their responses to culture and diversity (the meanings) are all located below;
My Husband: Culture- people and their race.

Diversity- differences among people; that at times can cause arguments and disagreements.

Female in Her Fifties: 

Culture is the environment that a person live in and diversity is a mix and understanding and respect for one another.

Female in Her Twenties: 

Culture is different characteristics    formed to suit what type of environment and society you are around and diversity is different personality formed to set you or an environment apart.

I feel that all individuals had a good take on what culture and diversity is. Since an environment can consist of various differences, I feel that this can include sexual preferences, race, political stance, socioeconomic placement such as middle class, poor, etc. So since two people used the word 'environmental differences' I think that word goes a long way and I feel that it correlates with what we have been studying so far in this class. 

One part that I think is something to really think about is my husbands definition of diversity. If you think of what was stated in our video for the week, his statement is similar to that of the professional talking in the video. She stated that diversity is like an iceberg. At the tip we have all the fun stuff such as restaurants, food, clothing, music, etc. that is represented by that culture. But in the middle we have confusion, and the arguments that my husband spoke of because of differences of opinions, etc. I thought his partake on the word was quite interesting! I feel that I learned something from all three responses, as well as all responses being similar to at least a portion of what we are learning in this class; mainly a portion because as we all have learned, culture and diversity goes so much more than the 'tip of the iceberg'!!!

My Family Culture

When thinking about being "thrown" into a country in a rash decision making process, I would definitely be absolutely TERRIFIED!!!! All I can think about are the poor families from Syria who are refugees trying to get into better countries! They are desperate people fighting, as well as losing their lives (images of the poor 7 year old dead on the beach enters my mind here😢😣) for a chance at a better and safer chance of living in a new surrounding! But that's only part of the struggle....making it over that is! Once they enter a new country they must learn the language that is prevalent in that country, become citizens, adapt to their new surroundings, adjust to not being around their entire family, and the list goes on and on! These are things that I must think about as an preschool teacher of these families! I must recognize and respect their journey, just as I would want others to respect mines!!! The three objects that I would take along if this situation presented itself would be the following;
Copies of my Degrees and Transcripts- hopefully education is in full swing in the country that I am chosen to reside in. Maybe my degrees can help my family and I have a better start since we are brand new in the country and completely starting over.
Cell Phone- This seems minute, but in my eyes it helps me stay connected to family members and friends that I had to leave behind; especially since almost all carriers have international capabilities. My cell phone has plenty of family pictures as well as internet capabilities. So here's another way I can stay connected (Facebook) as well as have treasured family photos.
Vital Family Records- Birth Certificates, etc. Identification process may be easier with these records.

These are the three things I would take; but hopefully I'll never be put in that predicament! This assignment has truly made have even more respect for those who have gone through this scenario!

Final Blog!!!

I must start by saying that this class sounded quite scary when I saw the title of it! I, as well as many of you, am very use to conducting research for research papers through online study; but never have I had the experience of learning how those researchers who conducted study actually did it! This course has taught me that it is a quite rigorous procedure of performing a study. To start it must be something that is important to the field of study in which one works. For example, most people who conduct research on early childhood are those people who are already a part of the field. Research is good in many ways and one of the most important aspects of it is that it can make a child's life that much more positive; but this good aspect doesn't come without a price!

The process of performing a study is very demanding! Researchers must keep ethical issues in mind at all times. In most early childhood studies children are involved, so the researcher must obtain parental consent. Researchers must also be sure to not let their own personal views get in the way of their research. I learned that validity is a very important portion of research work as well. Information presented should be reliable and trustworthy; and that triangulation is a great method to help ensure validity in research.

This class has taught me about the three kinds of research which is quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. I learned several aspects of what makes certain research be one of the three. Overall I have learned a whole lot about research! This class has actually taught me to respect the work of research more now that I know the rigorous steps involved so that they (researchers) can present their information to the public (which is us)! This research class has also helped to prep me. If I ever decide to get my doctorate, I now know the steps needed through becoming a researcher and performing a study; which will in essence help me to earn a doctorate degree! This class has been very much so detailed, informative, and a great learning experience! I thank Walden University for the opportunity!

Research Around the World

Originated in 1938, Early Childhood Australia aims at ensuring equity, quality, and social justice in all issues that is related to the education and care of young children (from birth to age 8). The organization has strategic goals set in place and those goals are as listed below:

• Goal 1: ECA is an effective advocate for children
• Goal 2: ECA is a champion for quality outcomes in early childhood education and care
• Goal 3: ECA is a strong, progressive, and sustainable organization

The organization has a Research in Practice series that focuses on issues like Intentional Teaching, Sustainability, Programs and Relationships in Practice, and Secure Transitions are just some of the areas that have been researched, discussed and included in yearly resources through the Early Childhood Australia network. Other things that I found quite interesting about this organization is the fact that they have resources for not only parents but for educators within the early childhood realm as well. The site has monthly webinars and the next webinar is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2015. The site has potential for hiring new early childhood prospects, as well as offering researchers and authors a chance to produce more information on the following:

• Indoor spaces
• Gifted and Talented: Indoor and Exclusion
• Creativity

Overall I feel that this organization is a great one, and the path that they are leading is a great one for Australians to follow!

                                                                           References
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Benefits of Previous Research

  Today I can say that I am thankful for the multitude of research that has been done on childhood stuttering. My youngest child that just turned 4 in July, has picked up a habit of stuttering. From research that has been conducted on the subject, I have learned that not all childhood stutterers bring the habit over into adulthood......in fact that most times outgrow it. Newer research conducted has taught me that my child's stuttering does not come from emotional problems, which older studies suggested. Although stuttering within itself can cause emotional problems within children. I have benefited from this research because results have demonstrated that I do not need to bring attention to his stuttering as some family members have suggested. Many are quick to say 'slow down' or 'start over' to a stutterer; but according to research performed, bringing attention to the fact that the child is stuttering, is the last thing that needs to be done.
   I had a fear  that my child may continue to stutter because of family members who stutter also. Hereditary factors were revealed to have some effect on stutterers, but genetic transmission has yet to be proved. Finally, research has made me as a parent and teacher more confident in working with a stuttering child because of suggestions that have been proven to help the child. A few of these suggestions are as follows:

- Call little attention to the fact that the child stutters
- Try to ensure that atmospheres are cool, calm, and collective so that the child doesn't feel stressed
- Encourage more conversation
- Do not react emotionally to stuttering (Meaning don't show embarrassment,impatience, or anxiety)
- and being aware of my own speech and speaking slowly will encourage the stuttering child to slow     down as well.

                                                                             References
Mazzuca-Peter, J. (1989). The Student Who Stutters- Teacher's Guide. Retrieved from https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/InfoPWDS/studentwhostutters.html

Introduction to Research Topic

The subject that I have chosen to focus on for the research component of this class is "Managing Autism in Early Childhood Settings". The three subtopics that I have chosen are:

• Behavior Techniques that Work in Young Children with Autism
• Appropriate Developmental Strategies for Working with Autistic Children in Various Settings/Learning Areas
• Working with Families of the Young Autistic Child

Professionally I chose this subject because it is one that seems to be on the rise within the early childhood atmosphere. So in other words, it's very relevant. Personally, I chose this field because as a teacher it's very hard sometimes to find out what it is that most children with autism require. We have no special training for autism, so it's almost like a game of finding out which 'answer sticks or works' for each particular child. Most children with special needs are required to spend most of their days in a regular education classroom. So generally, there is no way around either being trained professionally, or conducting our own research to help ourselves in the classroom as well as the autistic child! As my picture at the top shows......It's all about fitting the pieces of the puzzle to the appropriate spaces. With this research, hopefully I will be able to do that within the classroom! :)