One I hope I have for working with children and families from diverse backgrounds is that I always come across to them as respectful and trustworthy and am able to create and maintain meaningful relationships with the children and families I work with.
One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field in regards to diversity, equity and social justice is that professional development is provided in these areas to all staff that will work with students and their families. This professional development should provide training regarding what exactly diversity is and also how it may impact student and family participation. It should also encourage staff members to research their students' backgrounds and cultures.
Finally, I would like to thank all of my classmates. It has been very enjoyable reading everyone's blogs and posts and going through this journey of self-discovery and knowledge with others. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me as well.
Candice
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Welcoming families from around the world
As an early childhood professional it is important that you learn not
only about your students but your student's families. For this exercise I
chose to learn more about Burma.
Ways I would prepare myself to be more culturally responsive:
1. Research the country and its customs. Check out sources online or at the local library
2. Meet with the family and ask about their goals for their child and learn more about their family culture and how that may impact their child's adjustment to school.
3. Find others in the community from the same background and ask them for more information that could be helpful when working with the family. Put the family in touch with others in the community if they would like so that they may have more support.
4. Share the information I have learned about the country and family with others at my childcare agency.
5. Use the information I have learned to make the child feel more comfortable at school, provide culturally responsive toys/dolls and if possible incorporate some of the child's natural language into the classroom day.
6. Teach the other children in the class how to say hello in the child's native language to make the child feel more welcome.
7. All communications with the family would be in the family's preferred language and if needed an interpreter would be used.
By learning more about the child, family and their culture and country of origin I would hope that it would allow me to be more culturally responsive and allow for the start of a positive relationship with the family. I would also hope that it would allow the child to feel comfortable in this new environment. By knowing about the child and family's culture I would hope that I would respect their wishes and values and show them that I care about what is important to them and their child.
Ways I would prepare myself to be more culturally responsive:
1. Research the country and its customs. Check out sources online or at the local library
2. Meet with the family and ask about their goals for their child and learn more about their family culture and how that may impact their child's adjustment to school.
3. Find others in the community from the same background and ask them for more information that could be helpful when working with the family. Put the family in touch with others in the community if they would like so that they may have more support.
4. Share the information I have learned about the country and family with others at my childcare agency.
5. Use the information I have learned to make the child feel more comfortable at school, provide culturally responsive toys/dolls and if possible incorporate some of the child's natural language into the classroom day.
6. Teach the other children in the class how to say hello in the child's native language to make the child feel more welcome.
7. All communications with the family would be in the family's preferred language and if needed an interpreter would be used.
By learning more about the child, family and their culture and country of origin I would hope that it would allow me to be more culturally responsive and allow for the start of a positive relationship with the family. I would also hope that it would allow the child to feel comfortable in this new environment. By knowing about the child and family's culture I would hope that I would respect their wishes and values and show them that I care about what is important to them and their child.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression
- About three years ago I decided to buy a house by myself. I was surprised by the number of people who questioned my ability to buy a house as a single woman, without a man to help. It was even more shocking how many people couldn't believe that I bought a single family house with a yard and assumed I must have landscapers to do the yard work. At my closing, when I walked in and sat down the selling lawyer even said "do you want to wait for your husband to get here?" I was very offended that people believed that because I was a woman I couldn't buy a house, let alone a single family house without the assistance of a man. This diminished some of the excitement and pride I had in my independence and even made me question the fact that I was still single.
- I think that society needs to realize that times have changed and many women complete college, have careers and want to own property without needing others assistance. If people can start to see all genders as equal I feel that there will be more women that will feel like they can do things like buy a house even though they are single. I have to say that every time I get out my lawnmower or my tool set, I get a small smile across my face that I am doing this all by myself and that this is something to be proud of not ashamed by!
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