Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Noelle:

Culture is what defines us as a race. It is a understanding of traditions and similarities we share with each other and that set us apart and define who we are. Culture is music, food, art, stories, and dance that tell the story of our people and our journey. Culture is who we are because it allows a person of a different race to understand our beliefs and feelings about the world, the economy, and our families. 

Diversity is our passion to stand out but also to stand tall. It often describes how we are classified or compared to one another because often times it is related to a specific area of cultures. Diversity to me is standing tall in your beliefs and in who you are no matter the stereotypes that surround your diverse culture. Diversity is also the ability of a group of individuals whom have different opinions , languages, religions, and skin colors coexist in one geographic location and live peacefully. We are diverse because we are different but by accepting our diversity and our individual challenges we are in some part all the same. 

Deysi:

Culture is my families traditions the woman takes care of the kids and home are husbands are the head of household. When you have parents that were born and raised in Mexico that is how you are raised and breed. In my house we celebrate the traditional Mexican holidays and the American ones. Culture is the music that I listen to, the food that I eat and the way that I raise my children.

Diversity is me having friends of different backgrounds, being able to eat foods and listen to music from other cultures and also exposing my children to the same things. Diversity is keeping my beliefs and honoring others and seeming that everyone is different.

Jenny:

My culture is my family. It is traditions we share with each other and define who we are. Culture is music, food, art, stories, and dance. Diversity is my family accepting that I like music and food that is not traditional to my race. Diversity is knowing that my best friends family accepts me even though I am not the same race as them

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

Some aspects of culture that I have learned about so far in this course that I was talked about above are food, music, art and traditions.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

Home language was omitted from the answers above. I have learned that home language is a very important part of a person’s culture.

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

Culture means many different things to different people. I have had to take a look at my meaning of culture and I am working to redefine it to fit the person that I am today. I have also learned that it is very important to learn about the children you teach family culture so that you can be a better teacher for that child.
Part of my family and culture.

My Family Culture

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.

The three items that I would take to my new country would be; 1. My portable hard drive, my sons’ photo album and my parents ashes. I would explain that my portable hard drive holds all of my family pictures and scanned documents from my sons childhood, my sons photo album was chosen because it holds everything from the letter of verification of pregnancy to his crib card. It means the world to me because my son was born at 26 weeks and was not expect to live and if he did live I was told he would have medical problems. He is a blessing; he is now 12 years old and a very smart and healthy child. I would take my parents ashes because I was not raised with them and that is all I have left of them other than memories. If I was told I could only take one of these items, I would take the portable hard drive because it holds more memories from all of my family and friends. I have gained the insight that I value my pictures of my family and that taking pictures is a part of my families culture.  

When I Think of Research...

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

 

The research that I did in high school and junior college did not prepare me for really research. I have learned that there is a lot more that I need to learn about research. I have learned that research is a necessary evil.

 

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

 

I now understand that research is hard but it is necessary. I now have clearer ideas on the ethics of doing research with young children.

 

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

 

That when planning you must have a clear understanding of what you want to learn/prove.

 

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

 

Learning the different types of research and all of the ethics involved when it comes to children. I meet them by re-reading the material and web searches.

 

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

 

That we are all doing research on some level in our classrooms daily,

 

I want to say thank you to all my classmates for their support during this class. I have enjoyed all of the feedback.

 

 

Happy Holidays

Research Around the World

 

What are some of the current international research topics?

I visited the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) website and based on the information on the site some of the research that their students are doing include, culturally and developmentally appropriate learning, improving the quality of childcare, effective school and parent collaboration and involving fathers in early childhood. 

 

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

Culturally and developmentally appropriate learning, improving the quality of childcare, effective school and parent collaboration and involving fathers in early childhood are surprisingly, the same areas that are popular areas of research in the United States, also these are the areas that I would like to know more about. 

 

 What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

“…The importance of local voices and perspectives is also addressed. Principles of a "generative approach" to curriculum and community development, wherein participants engage in a co-construction of meaningful knowledge, are applied in the program. Assignments, major projects and theses focus on addressing pressing ECD issues within countries and on building the ECD literature for Africa.” (Early Childhood Development Virtual University, n.d.)

Reference

http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php

Research that Benefits Children and Families

I came across this abstract through a Google Search, I tried getting the whole article but I would have to pay for it. I also did a search through Walden’s Library through the Sage link but I would still have to pay for it and right now I can’t afford to. I’m sharing this because it shows that WE as early childhood educators ARE making a difference in young children’s lives and I found it exciting and would like to share with my colleagues

Cognitive and School Outcomes for High-Risk African-American Students at Middle Adolescence: Positive Effects of Early Intervention

Frances A. Campbell and Craig T. Ramey

Abstract

“Long-term intellectual and academic benefits related to early childhood educational intervention were found in a sample of students from low-income families (98% African American). The subjects were randomly assigned to preschool and school-age treatment conditions in a study design that permits a comparison of outcomes in students with preschool treatment followed by early elementary treatment (infancy–8 years), preschool treatment only (infancy–5 years), early elementary school treatment only (5 years–8 years), and untreated controls. At age 15, seven to ten years after any treatment was provided, those students who had preschool treatment scored significantly higher on individually administered tests of reading and mathematics and had fewer instances of grade retention and assignments to special education. The results support the relative efficacy of preschool treatment over that given in early elementary school. Policy implications stress the importance of providing high quality early childhood environments for impoverished children.”

Frances A. Campbell and Craig T. Ramey American Educational Research Journal, December

            21, 1995; vol. 32, 4: pp. 743-772.Retrieved from http://aer.sagepub.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/content/32/4/743.abstract

My Personal Research Journey

I have chosen the subtopic of the effects of child abuse  on young children’s social skills as my research simulation. Dr. Davis pointed out to me that it would not be advisable to talk to young children about abuse. I had never thought of talking to young children, I would like to talk to social workers, teachers, or others that have experience with abuse or older adults that have suffered from abuse. I’m not really good at non-book research but Dr. Davis got me thinking of different ways that I can get research on this matter. I have personally observed the change in children’s behavior after they have suffered abuse and I felt lost trying to help them with the drastic changes in their social skills.

This is a picture of my right hand. When I was 4 years old my hand suffered a 3rd degree burn. This is why learning about the effects of child abuse on social skills is important to me. I want to help children develop their social skills after being abused so that they can grow up to be strong and secure adults.

International Early Childhood Field

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for your professional and personal development:

1.      I now have a need to learn more about child development in other countries.

2.      One day I would like to start a non-profit agency to help develop early childhood education centers in 3^rd world countries that will also help to educate the whole family and community on the importance of early development and health.

3.      It has given me a better appreciation of the country that I live in. We are much better off in our development than some countries.

Post one goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations:

 

One goal would be to have a program for students of early childhood to have the opportunity to become exchange students in 3^rd world countries. I feel that this would not only help the student become a better teacher and have a better understanding of the importance of early development it will also help families and communities in these countries learn about the importance of early development and ways that they can help their children.