Practing Awareness of Microaggressions

In describing at least one example of a microaggression I detected this week and in what context did the microaggression happen and what I thought and felt when I observed the microaggression here is what I describe as racial microaggression.

This week in the media I observed what I believed to be racial microaggression as Jan Brewer, Governor of Arizona wagged a disapproving finger in the face of the President of the United States, President Obama.  By wagging her finger in the President’s face was a hidden message of disrespect.  In the video this week with Dr. Sue he described three forms of racial microaggression: microassault, microinsults, and microinvalidations.  Of these three forms of racial microaggression, I believe that microinsult (demeaning a person racial heritage by suggesting they are intellectually inferior in one way or another) took place in this scenario with Governor Brewer and President Obama.

When I observed this my first thought was she is disrespecting the President of the United States of America and Mr. Obama personally because he is a black man.  I personally felt angry when I observed this on television because so many discriminating things have been said about President Obama because of his race.  In my own personal opinion, which I could be wrong, I don’t think Governor Brewer would have done this to the President of the United States of America if he had been a white man, regardless of the conversation and his walking away.

My observation experience this week did not affect my perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people.  However, I understand the different ways in which we all are guilty in one way or another, which I did not consider before.  I realize that the effects of having to deal with discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes can cause severe psychological stress. Also, I understand that sometimes our microaggressions are not intended the way it is perceived, but that we have to work on the ways to prevent negative microaggressions.  No one chooses his or her race, sexual orientation, and/or social status before being born.  We are all God’s children and we need to accept each one for who they are.

Reference

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). “Microaggressions in Everyday Life” [Video Webcast].

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Here are the responses that I was given in regards to the definition of culture and diversity from family members and a colleague.

Shelia’s response: 

Culture is how you dress, the type of foods you eat, your values and beliefs.

Diversity is when two or more people have different beliefs and values.  Also, they don’t really believe in the other person’s beliefs.  Each group accepts their values and beliefs as being the right one.

Jeannette’s response:

Culture is what you are born into, the history of your family, the way you’re raised, and your environment.  Culture is things that are passed down from one generation to another generation.

Diversity is a mixture of things and people.

Caleb’s response:

Culture is different ethnic groups, their beliefs, customs, and how they apply it to society.

Diversity means different.

Some aspects of culture and diversity that studied in this course that were included in the answers received were: Culture examples-values, beliefs, customs, way you’re raised, what’re you’re born into, family history, society, and how you dress.

Diversity examples included are- different groups of people, different beliefs and values.

Some aspects that have been omitted are: religion, race, economic status, and language.

After listening to what other define culture and diversity to mean to them, it has influence me to understand that we all have very similar ideas about what it is; however, each person was like wow! I never gave much thought to it about myself but here is what I believe it means.  The topics of culture and diversity has help me to realize that this something that we each identify with.  We think of others as having a cultural group or being diverse, but in reality we all have a culture and we are a diverse group of people.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves.
     Washington, DC

My Family Culture

When I think of having to evacuate to another country I would take the following three items with me: 

• Family photo album
• My Bible
• My grandmother’s recipes

My family photo album would have pictures of family and friends that I love so very much.  I would be able to look back and remember the good days shared in those photos such as birthday parties, family gathering, and graduations.  I would share the memories of the places those photos were taken with family.  My photo album also have pictures of love ones that have passed on but their memories lives on in my mind. The photo album symbolizes precious memories that I could share with the younger people in my family that never got to know them.  I would explain to them how we grew from one generation to another by pointing out who each person is in the picture, and how they shaped my life.

The Bible is a representation of my family’s belief in God.  I grew up as a Christian believing that if you live by the word of God and do what’s right in life; then, there will be a place for you in God’s kingdom when you die.  For my family, there is power in trusting and believing in God and doing his will.  My parents taught us to take time out and read the words of God in the Bible.

My grandmother’s recipes are something that I cherish so very much.  My grandmother was a great cook and the entire family loved eating her food.  She did not believe in buying box cake mix and thing of that nature.  She would cook her desserts from “scratch” and they were delicious.  Her mother used the recipes, gave them to her, and she passed them down to me because I like to cook as well.  For me, this is an important part of my family culture.  And, I would say it is important for the rest of the family because now they look for me to prepare those desserts and I feel really good when they say, “this tastes like Bigmama’s cake or banana pudding” just to name a few.

Now, if I had to give up two items after arriving in the other country it would be the Bible and my grandmother’s recipes.  The reason why I would give up the Bible is that I could continue to tell my family what’s right and what’s wrong.  I could continue to teach good morals, how to pray, and how to believe in God.   As far as my grandmother’s recipes, I know how to prepare them without having the recipe cards in front of me.  However, I could not depart from my photo album because the pictures helps me to remember times that otherwise might be forgotten.  Also, I can look back at pictures of my love ones that have passed on such as my parents and grandparents.  I look at the pictures of my family members that have passed on, then,  I look at myself and other love ones and I can see some of their features in us.  It would be devastating if I could not keep the photo album.

An insight that I have gained is that each family sets the tone of their culture.  I have noticed that with my family each household have their own set of rules in how they manage their family; however, at the same time we are a culture as a whole family because of our beliefs, values, and traditions.  We come together and share those traditions, beliefs, and values when we have family dinners, attend church services, and communicate.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children

     and Ourselves. Washington, DC

When I Think of Research...

I have gained a great deal of insight about research from taking this course.  Truly, for me this was an experience.  First of all, I learned how to determine the difference in the types of designs such as quantitative and qualitative.  I have learned what each design uses as a means of gathering data.  Before this class I knew nothing about triangulation.  Today, I know that there are four types: data, methodological, investigator, and theory triangulation.   I understand that if you are conducting a qualitative study, the use of triangulation is used to ensure the study is valid.  This is just some of the insights I have gained.

My ideas about the nature of doing research changed because I’m not as fearful as I was at the beginning of this class trying to conduct a research study.  I have some fear in, but I have so much more insight that I believe I am capable of doing research. 

An important lesson I learned about planning is that it prevents problems.  By planning you are able to consider major options and alternatives. Designing is about deciding on options and choices that will help guide you in the direction that your research will precede.  Time, place and persons are some key aspects of research design.  Also, what you plan to research and how you will conduct the study. The first step in design is identifying the topic and stating the main focus of the research. In conducting research it involves focusing on collecting and analyzing data and ensuring that it is valid.  There is much to be considered in conducting a research study so it takes time.

A couple of challenges that I encountered were a small sample size for my study and the amount of time that would be needed.

My perception of an early childhood professional has been modified by the notion of conducting research.  This is not an easy task.  I am less fearful now after having completed this class, but I know there is a lot to be learned.  My hat goes off to those professionals conducting research.

Reference

Mac Naughton, G.; Rolfe, S. A.; & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010) Doing Early Childhood

     Research.  International Perspectives on Theory & Practice. (2^nd ed.)  New York, NY:

     McGraw Hill.

Research Around the World

I explored Early Childhood Australia.  A current international research topic was on Korean children’s cultural adjustment during transition to the early years of school in Australia.  The participants in the study were a sample of South Korean international students aged five to eight years, their mothers, and teacher.  The study found that language difficulties were a major concern for these children in adapting to an Australian education setting as with any other outside culture.  However, successful cultural adjustments were found connected to positive interpersonal relationships with peers, teachers, and the ability to adjust to the teaching methodology.

Another research topic was Outdoors play: Does avoiding the risks reduce the benefits.  This research aimed to argue for the inclusion of positive risk-taking experiences in children’s outdoor play, primarily in the context of early childhood education.

A few surprising facts I gained from exploring this international website was that 92 per cent of Australians think the quality of early childhood education and care is more important than cost.  The people of Australia want better quality early childhood education and care.  This website also offered five tips to parents to help minimize their child’s stress during their first year of school: 

• Tell children about what you’ll be doing during the day so they don’t worry.
• Break the day into manageable parts.  For example:  I will pick you up after the last bell rings.
• Make sure the person picking up the child wait close to the classroom and is on time.
• If you’re going to be late, let the school know and have them to inform the teacher and your child what is happening.
• Have a Plan B with your child and let the school know as well.

Other noteworthy information I found is that their code of ethics in relation to research is very much the same as that of the United States.  The best interest of the child comes first and the families.

Reference

Early Childhood Australia.  Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Researach that Benefits Children and Families--Uplifting Stories

I would like to share the story of a little boy name Alijah who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia  (ALL).  When Alijah was two years old his parents noticed that she started crawling again.  He would crawl with his foot up in the air like it was hurting.  This continued for a few days and soon afterward Alijah started to have high fever at night. 

Alijah was diagnosed in 2006 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) after the doctor performed a bone marrow biopsy and found leukemia cells in his marrow.  The doctor told the family they were lucky to this extent though the cancer was once almost fatal, now it is a very treatable disease.

Today, Alijah is still being treated for leukemia.  For Alijah, infusions and transfusions are facts of life.  However, thanks to research like that sponsored by Children’s Cancer Research Fund, today more than 80 percent of children with ALL are cured.

You can read Alijah’s story and many more like this at the website listed below.

Referemce

Retrieved from http://www.childrenscancer.org/stories-of-hope/kids-stories/alijah.html

Your Personal Research Journey

My subtopic is:  What parents do to enhance secure attachment in their children.

I chose this topic because I have witnessed children that are withdrawn from other young children when they engage in play or are in the same classroom.  I often wonder why is that child withdrawn.  Is it because of shyness or is it because the child do not feel secure in their environment?  This leads me to my subtopic of researching what parents can do to enhance secure attachment in thier children.

My personal experience with this simulation process happened this past summer while having to do some classroom observation for one of my classes.  I observed a little boy that was crying and clinging to his mother when she brought him into the classroom.  I asked the teacher if it was his first day and she replied, "no, he has been coming here everyday since he was a baby and he does this everyday."  I couldn't help but to wonder why this child was so insecure and what could his parents and caregivers do to give him the feeling of security that is needed away from his parents.

Insight that I have gained that I believe is important in first understanding what can be done to enhance secure attachment in their children is to understand that, "attachments begin to form in early infancy, solidify by age 1, and influence a person's close relationships throughout life."  Children have to feel secure and safe in their environments.

If anyone have any advice or insight that might be helpful to me with this process, I would appreciate it very much and the same goes for myself in helping someone with their research.

Reference

Berger, K.S. (2009).  The Developing Person Through Childhood (5th ed.) New York, NY: Worth Publishers.