Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

• Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a microaggression?

As a teacher working in an Early Head Start school, we work mainly with low-income families and i had one teacher who is from a temp agency who was coming out to help for just week. She stated,"why don't you get the summers off, you need it with these families and kids, and how is it working with low-income children".

I felt that this was a type of microinvalidation in which we means i need a break because i deal with low-income families and the kids are bad, all teachers need a break not just early head start teachers. She also made it seems as if low-income children are so much different from "normal children", all children have behavior, and developmental concerns.

• In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people

After hearing another teacher say that i feel that we should really consider who we are letting come into our early head start or even early childhood programs to work with our children because it still seems like more and more teachers are here just for a pay check and not for the kids. I feel that i have a genuine passion to work with low-income families and children because just like others they need an head start just like other children.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I spoke with my co-worker Meraj who is from India, she described her culture as very religious and family oriented. She stated that culture tells about the people and their historic backgrounds. Her family is forces education and having the women cover their top half of their body with the religious scarf. Meraj stated that diversity is one's race and is how they define who they are as people.  From listening to Meraj speak i having alot of respect for her culture, they believe in having the best for their children

Meraj's religious backgrounds is similar to the information i learned in this class which is culture relates to religion and spirituality. She didn't feel as though her culture was one of a dominant culture because they way her culture is raised she feels it doesn't have anything to do with government and policies formed.

From taking this class, i am realizing the everyone's culture is different and each person and different families celebrate culture in a variety of ways which brings even more meaningful experiences to their religion.

My family Culture

Only being allowed to bring three items to an unknown country would be hard for me since i am the type of person that brings at least three bags for a weekend trip. But since i have to choose, i would bring my wedding ring, a book, and my family photo album.

I would bring my wedding ring because this would give me great memories of my soon to be husband(June 30th) and the great time and the laughter that we shared, which would bring me up when i am feeling down.

I would bring a book, because reading a book would allow me not to become bored since i am unfamiliar with the country that i am in.

Lastly, i would a family photo album, bringing a family album would allow me to remember my family members and the great people who care and love me.

When i think of Research......

When i first reviewed this course not only was i extremely nervous, but i felt discouraged, but after taking several deep breaths, i overcame my fears. Throughout this course i learned and gained many insights that can carry me through my continuous coursework at Walden University but in my career as an educator.

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

Some of the insights that i have gained was first learning how to conduct research, and some of the language that comes along with it such as Control group, independent variables and etc.

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

I learned that research is not hard at all especially when you are very interested in the topic. Research was something that was new for me, but i definitely understand that research is crucial for the field of education as it is a determining factor for the lives of our children.

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

I learned many things about planning, designing and conducting research in early childhood, as it is important to take your time and focus on the topic at hand. As we learned from our text that Researched is simply a matter of planning. Having great ideas and back-up research is a determining factor.

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

My first challenge was overcoming my fears of taking this course, i met by getting advice from my colleagues and family. I also encountered learning the research terms and their meanings, i overcame this fear but doing research  on both the Internet and the text.

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

My true passion and understanding for this field has grown a great deal for this field and i am appreciative for those researchers who have paved the way for educators like myself.

I want to take the time out to thank my colleagues for all their support, and i hope to see you all in the next course.

Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA):

• What are some of the current international research topics?

Malawi

Coordinating the Development and Implementation of the 2003 – 2013 National Action Plan (NAP) for Children in Malawi

Nigeria

Assessment of the Caring Practices in Two Motherless Babies’ Homes in Abia State, Nigeria and the Development and Delivery of a Nutrition Training Program to the Staff of These Homes to Improve Nutrition of Children in Their Care

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

Some surprising facts/insights i gained about the early childhood after exploring this website was a topic called  A "Generative curriculum" approach which is a learner-focused approach - drawing as much as possible on the learner's experiences in their personal and professional lives;

an ecological approach - placing individuals, programs and policies into an interactive and dynamic context and seeking to plan activities and interventions to maximize resonating impact throughout the larger ecology;

a capacity building approach - aiming to strategically strengthen the capacities of participants to effectively fulfill their mandates in their professional position and to be accountable to their constituents and the broader ECD community in their countries. Although most education activities claim this as a general 'purpose', the ECDVU program addresses capacity development in a specific, strategic manner and many more( http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/generative.php). Through the generative curriculum the school is about to help and work professioanlly to help reach the childs best potential.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?
The Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) works with nominees of participating countries to enhance the country's social and economic development through addressing the needs of their youngest citizens and the families and communities which nurture them.

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I chose to share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families which is the attachment theory, as many educators know in all early childhood centers or home day care centers children go through the attachment stage. Attachment is an emotional bond to another person in which most children show to their parents.  Job Bowlby is the first attachment theorist, describing attachment as a lasting psychological connectedness between human beings. The attachment theory is a positive example because it allows parents to understand the components of attachment such as safe haven, secure base, and separation distress these are the stages that their child/children goes through when something new is occurring  such as going to daycare for the first time. Without this research on children, educators would not no whats going on with children, as they cry loudly for their parents or guardians. I am happy Job Bowlby conducted this study, its makes my life much easier, and with several trainings i attended in the past i know what and how to comfort children.

Research Topic

This week i am learning more about a topic that brings passion and hope to my heart . During week 1, i was thinking about a topic that i thought was crucial for children's development as well as something that Teachers need more training on. I decided for the research stimulation question i decided to research more on the topic of Parental/ Family  involvement  on student success. This subject really hit home for me because as i stated before i find it profound when parents don't have a clue on whats going on in their child's school education instead they use early childhood professionals as babysitters instead of educators. I would like to study more on the statistics about the success rate of families that are involved with the children's education, not saying parents who are not involved  with the education of their children will fail, but as we all know there are parents who can care less about the development of their child and there are parents who are busy but take the time out for the education of their children.