Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Tuesday I was in Wal-Mart with my 1 year old son and my 9 year old daughter. As we passed the bikes my son start to fuss because he wanted to ride the bike through the store. I picked him up and proceed to go in the other direction he screamed for about 2 minutes then was quiet. When we reached the household items there was a Asian couple asking a Caucasian worker for help locating a specific item. The Asian couple proceeded to leave the Caucasian worker mumbled “we need to hire they people to help them”. This is an example of microinvalidation and microinsult. I understand the frustration on both parties’ behalf the worker unable to fully understand the customer’s request. And the customer inability to receive the help requested. The worker left the customer powerless with his comments also exhibiting his frustration communicating with the customer. This type of microaggression occurs every day. Although the Asian couple did not hear the worker comments I did. I felt the worker was very unprofessional to make such a rude comment. The worker did not consider the everyday struggle the Asian couple encounters trying to adapt to the American culture and speak English. I actually reported the worker for his comment as if I was the Asian couple I would appreciate someone defending my diversity and understanding the challenge language barriers produce.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Person 1:  I believe diversity is different... We all are not the same but we can get along and come to a common ground

Culture would be background... The way you were raised and or taught to do things.. Whether it's race, community, or dependence. It also brings about how you handle situations, eating, raising families etc...

Person 2:  Culture is a mindset/state of being. Diversity is political driven propaganda, to manipulate a culture..

Person 3: Culture is a group of people who share similar qualities such as religion, language, social habits. Diversity in culture is basically understanding while people may come from the same social demographic the differences in age, race, economic status, educational level, life experiences make each individual unique. How boring would life be if we all had the same thoughts and did the same thing as everyone else day in and day out!

As I reflected on the answers I received from others I realized each person interprets culture and diversity differently. In week 1 culture was defined as the way one perceives the world. Person two acknowledge in terms of deep culture beyond the surface covering ethnicity language relations food and much more. Person one defined diversity in political terms we have not addresses thus far. After receiving many different responses on how to define culture and diversity. I choose two answers specifically, one I felt parallel my own personal definition and the other answer that varied the furthest from my personal definition. The responses validated the difference in each person perception of culture and diversity.

My Family Culture

In  the event I have no choice but to choose only three items dear to my heart representing my families culture I would choose my photo album because it has pictures of all my family members over the years at our celebrations. I would take a small bronze elephant statue because it represents the backbone of our family and lastly I would take a medium sized cast iron skillet. My family is a cooking family every time we have a gathering food is the center. The cast iron skillet is the one cooking dish I need to cook multiple dishes. If I have to limit my three items down to one I would choose the photo album, I can replace an cast iron skillet and a bronze elephant but the photos are memorizes I will cherish for eternity. Photos are irreplaceable, the hold the most value a represent my family culture.

When I Think of Research...

Over the past 8 weeks I learned the in depth process professionals endure to complete research studies in the early childhood education field.  I would consider myself an investigator versus a researcher. I am now knowledgeable of how to actually read and comprehend research studies. I still struggle with distinguishing the difference between independent and dependent variables. I refer back to the definition of dependent variables “a variable can be thought of as something that is subject to variation. In research, that which changes as a result of some influence (Lepuschitz, J.K. 2011)”.  I can clearly identify the extraneous variables in any research simulation, as they will influence the results of the study by affecting the main focus. I believe after taking this course I believe I will be able to develop a research design.

 

References:

 Lepuschitz, J.K. (2011). Introduction to variables. Laureate Education Inc., Baltimore, MD.

Research Around the World

The most current research published by the Early Childhood Australia a voice for young children referenced building partnerships with professionals. The importance of building relationships with professionals beyond the education sector, these partnerships will not only benefit the child but the family as well. It has been identified children lack accessibility to head start and/or pre-school programs do to the parents are unaware of the resources available to them. If partnerships existed between the education sectors, the health sector and community sector this awareness or lack thereof can begin to decline. The community for starters will be able to make parents aware of programs that may be beneficial to their family, as well as inform the parents of resources available whether financial or educational. The lack of accessibility is a trending issue in the early childhood education field currently.

The insight I gained from this web resource is other countries understand the importance of building partnerships. The early childhood education field is the same globally

 

References:

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

Research that Benefits Children and Families

I was recently contacted by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, I frequently visit this hospital often concerning my daughter’s eczema and allergies. The Life Research Department notified me due to my recent visit to the emergency room I was entered into a pool of candidates eligible for a research study.  The study was to determine if children with multiple siblings suffer from stress or anxiety which affect their learning ability? I was immediately interested in the study due to my daughter having issues with reading comprehension. I asked a few additional questions regarding the study I was ecstatic to learn the study consisted of a questionnaire assessment, the parent’s participated in the study as well and it was a one day study. I agreed me and my daughter would be participants, I scheduled a date and time for us to complete the study two weeks later.

The study for me was very simple and straight forward. I love the study was a one day trail I dislike the time frame of two hours. The questions I answered differ from the questions my daughter answered which I felt was a plus. The question the researchers asked her were age appropriate and easy for a child to comprehend. I absolutely feel the purpose of this study has a positive benefit to children and their families due to the long term benefits of cognitive development.  My daughter loved the research study she wants to participate in another study. I believe she enjoyed the experience because it was exciting and new to her.  

Personal Research Journey

The topic I choose to focus on is equity and excellence, so far this process has been enlightening as I take baby steps to learn how to interrupt research. I am excited as I feel by the end of the course I will be fully capable of defining equity and excellence as it relates to early childhood development. At this point I have little understanding of how equity and excellence effects the early childhood development and the programs that foster healthy development. Equity and excellence has a broad perspective I have narrowed my focus to school readiness and achievement gaps. These two subtopics seem to be one of the greatest challenges professional and policy makers face. There are many factors that affect the success of children in the early childhood education programs I want to narrow down to the main issues. I feel in order to conquer the issues and trends within the early childhood field we have to be aware of the issues and understand the issue solve the issue to end the trend.