I had never realized how micoraggression affected my life until this course. The one microaggression that I have experienced is that I live in New Jersey and I am Italian. I have a very Italian heritage and many people in the area have always assumed that since I am Italain and have many influential family members that my family must be part of the Italian mafia. Of course this is ridiculous, if I was part of the Italian mafia, I would be alot richer than I am, LOL!!! I never realized how this affected me until this course. It never really bothered me until I got older. This is such a sterotype of Italians, everyone thinks that if you live in New Jersey or New York, and you are from an Italian culture and your family has money you must be tied to the mob.
Microaggressions can be very damaging. I really resent that fact that people think that because of my heritage, that I must have a family involved in crime. Now that I have a better understanding of what and how micoraggressions affect people I will make sure that I am more aware of sterotyping people according to thier culture and heritage. These assumptions can be very damaging to a person mental health.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Diversity and Culture
I spoke to 3 people that were all in different parts of their life. Each one had similiar ideas as to what culture is.
The first person I spoke too was a caucasin women in her late 50's and was a stay at home mom when her kids were young. Her thoughts were that culture is how you were raised and all about family and tradition.
The second person I spoke with was a spanish women in her early thirties in the early childhood field. She said that she never really thought about what culture was or how it influenced her. She felt that it was important to raise her children with a strong sense of their spanish culture and family and traditions were very important.
The third person I spoke with was a man in his fiftys, who is puetro rican. He is very proud of who he is and where he comes from. He was born in puerto rico and feels that family is everything. Although he feels that he has definalty been influenced by the dominant culutre, he trys to keep up with his culture.
What I found by speaking with these 3 different people is that they all had never really thought about their diversity or culture much. They practiced what they were taught and there traditons were very important to them. The dominant culture where they live has definalty changed there culture and they do not always feel that there culture is accepted. Although they have strong beliefs in there way of life, they seem to keep it in their house, and not show so much of it in public. Family was the most important thing to them, and they all keep their culture alive with their family.
After speaking with them I realized that if people don't really think about how their own culture influences their lives then how do we teach our children to be accepting of others if we don't feel accepted. The man that I spoke too had such a strong love for his culutre, but since it is frowned upon he choses to keep it home. When I asked how understanding they were towards other cutlures, they basically said that they had never really thought about it and they only focus on their way of life. They all agreed that they need to accept everyone and be proud of who they are.
The first person I spoke too was a caucasin women in her late 50's and was a stay at home mom when her kids were young. Her thoughts were that culture is how you were raised and all about family and tradition.
The second person I spoke with was a spanish women in her early thirties in the early childhood field. She said that she never really thought about what culture was or how it influenced her. She felt that it was important to raise her children with a strong sense of their spanish culture and family and traditions were very important.
The third person I spoke with was a man in his fiftys, who is puetro rican. He is very proud of who he is and where he comes from. He was born in puerto rico and feels that family is everything. Although he feels that he has definalty been influenced by the dominant culutre, he trys to keep up with his culture.
What I found by speaking with these 3 different people is that they all had never really thought about their diversity or culture much. They practiced what they were taught and there traditons were very important to them. The dominant culture where they live has definalty changed there culture and they do not always feel that there culture is accepted. Although they have strong beliefs in there way of life, they seem to keep it in their house, and not show so much of it in public. Family was the most important thing to them, and they all keep their culture alive with their family.
After speaking with them I realized that if people don't really think about how their own culture influences their lives then how do we teach our children to be accepting of others if we don't feel accepted. The man that I spoke too had such a strong love for his culutre, but since it is frowned upon he choses to keep it home. When I asked how understanding they were towards other cutlures, they basically said that they had never really thought about it and they only focus on their way of life. They all agreed that they need to accept everyone and be proud of who they are.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Thinking about what I would bring has made me realize how many items I have from my family that are important. If I only had 3 to chose from I would be leaving alot of my culture behind. The first item I would take are family pictures. Pictures of my grandparents, parents, children, friends and memories that I can never replace. I would also take an oil painting that was given to my parents as a wedding gift in 1969. Although my parents divorced, this painting represents my beginning and the love my parents once shared. The third thing I would take is a large crystal bowl that belonged to my great grandmother, this bowl has been passed down 3 generations. It is important to me because I would like to continue the tradition of passing it down in my family.If I had to chose one out the three items, I would chose my pictures, it is important to me to be able to share with future generations what everyone looked like, it will also help to keep memories alive.
While thinking about what I would bring I asked my husband what he thought. After thinking about all the wonderful things we had, we realized that there are very few items of importance. The most important thing is our family and our two dogs. We have an English bulldog named Shelbi and an American Cocker Spaniel, named Odie. That really surprised us, we have spent 25 years building a life and home. We have filled our home with so much stuff, and none if it is important. Why do we keep buying so much stuff!:) This has given me a little bit of a reality check, I guess there is nothing more important than your family, they alone will keep your culture alive.
While thinking about what I would bring I asked my husband what he thought. After thinking about all the wonderful things we had, we realized that there are very few items of importance. The most important thing is our family and our two dogs. We have an English bulldog named Shelbi and an American Cocker Spaniel, named Odie. That really surprised us, we have spent 25 years building a life and home. We have filled our home with so much stuff, and none if it is important. Why do we keep buying so much stuff!:) This has given me a little bit of a reality check, I guess there is nothing more important than your family, they alone will keep your culture alive.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Early childhood Research
Learning about early childhood research has been an enlightening experience. There is so much information that it can be overwhelming. Understanding how research is done was interesting. I never realized how much work there was put into research or how important it is.
Although I really do not plan on doing research, it is nice to know the process and it gives me a better understanding of how to read research and understand the process. The biggest challenge I had was finding a research topic. Ideas that I thought important were not that easy to conduct research. This has given me a new respect for research and I plan to follow research a little more closely than before.
Planning and designing research is so much more complicated than I ever imagined. The subjects, making sure that the study is valid and organizing the research is very important. The different ways to conduct research were also interesting, the use of triangulation, quantitative and qualitative research.
This course has led me to a better understanding of the importance of research and has given me a better respect for researchers.
Although I really do not plan on doing research, it is nice to know the process and it gives me a better understanding of how to read research and understand the process. The biggest challenge I had was finding a research topic. Ideas that I thought important were not that easy to conduct research. This has given me a new respect for research and I plan to follow research a little more closely than before.
Planning and designing research is so much more complicated than I ever imagined. The subjects, making sure that the study is valid and organizing the research is very important. The different ways to conduct research were also interesting, the use of triangulation, quantitative and qualitative research.
This course has led me to a better understanding of the importance of research and has given me a better respect for researchers.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
week 5
I visited the Early Childhood Australia website. This website had many interesting topics.
The issue of childcare funding was a topic that seems to be international. The information focused on low and middle income families being in need. Although more funding is needed it was noted that there is an "investment of already more than $20 billion that is already being made in early childhood education and care services" (Early Childhood Australia). The amount of money being spent in early childhood is an issue that many countries are re-evaluating. The importance of early education is becoming more popular and necessary across the world. Childcare is expensive and there needs to be more assistance for the low income.
Quality care is also an issue that was discussed on this website. Across the world it is known that the type and quality of care that children receive is important. This in not only a subject that is highly researched, it is being developed across the world. Finding this information is inspirational. I am happy to see that people across the world are beginning the understand that without quality care, our children suffer.
Sometimes it is easy to forget that early childhood is a topic that has become important across the world. Visiting websites from different parts of the world are important to understanding that everyone is recognizing the importance of early childhood care.
References
Early Childhood Australia, retrieved from www.earlychildhoodaustralia.au/
The issue of childcare funding was a topic that seems to be international. The information focused on low and middle income families being in need. Although more funding is needed it was noted that there is an "investment of already more than $20 billion that is already being made in early childhood education and care services" (Early Childhood Australia). The amount of money being spent in early childhood is an issue that many countries are re-evaluating. The importance of early education is becoming more popular and necessary across the world. Childcare is expensive and there needs to be more assistance for the low income.
Quality care is also an issue that was discussed on this website. Across the world it is known that the type and quality of care that children receive is important. This in not only a subject that is highly researched, it is being developed across the world. Finding this information is inspirational. I am happy to see that people across the world are beginning the understand that without quality care, our children suffer.
Sometimes it is easy to forget that early childhood is a topic that has become important across the world. Visiting websites from different parts of the world are important to understanding that everyone is recognizing the importance of early childhood care.
References
Early Childhood Australia, retrieved from www.earlychildhoodaustralia.au/
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Research that benefits Children and Families
If I was conducting research that benefited children and families, I would conduct an observation based research of the interaction of fathers and their children. I would conduct this research because I have seen throughout my years teaching in the early childhood field the lack of involvement many fathers have in their child's day to day life. Observing them will help answer questions such as;
1. Do children that have fathers that are involved or not involved in their life perform better at school?
2. Do children that have fathers that are involved or not involved in their day to day life behave better?
3. How do fathers communicate with their children at home?
4. Do children have better relationships overall with fathers that live with them or without them?
The positive contribution would be to give fathers the information to show how their lack of involvement with their child can hurt them. I would also give these fathers information on how to become involved on a day to day basis.
There are many fathers that for different reasons do not even know the name of their child's teacher. I think that all they need is to have an understanding of the importance of day to day interactions with their child. Giving them resources will point them in the right direction.
1. Do children that have fathers that are involved or not involved in their life perform better at school?
2. Do children that have fathers that are involved or not involved in their day to day life behave better?
3. How do fathers communicate with their children at home?
4. Do children have better relationships overall with fathers that live with them or without them?
The positive contribution would be to give fathers the information to show how their lack of involvement with their child can hurt them. I would also give these fathers information on how to become involved on a day to day basis.
There are many fathers that for different reasons do not even know the name of their child's teacher. I think that all they need is to have an understanding of the importance of day to day interactions with their child. Giving them resources will point them in the right direction.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Personal research journey
Developmentally appropriate pratice is the topic I chose. This is a topic that I have read about for years. Teachers need to understand why and how to teach children. Being able to have a curriculum that is developmenatlly appropriate for every age is extremley important in the field of early childhood education.
My personal expierence with developmentally approrpriate practice has been an interesting one. I have found that depending on which school you teach for and what curriculum they follow they standards seem to change. It is usually decided by a school board as to what curriculum to follow. These differences have left me to question what is developmentally appropriate since there are many different opinions. Constructing the research chart helped me understand the organization I will need to complete this and how much information is out there. I just hope I dont become ovewhelmed by the amount of information I may need to go through.
I would like to learn more about research that focus' on play, I am using this term in the broad sense. When I talk about play I am referring to pretend play, outside play, center play. I have read many articles that argue there needs to be more academic time and less play.( Although I dont agree with this I plan on reading all the informtion with an open mind). How can a teacher make sure that all of these activites are developmentally appropriate for the differen age groups. I am also interested in learning more about developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers. There are many centers that simply provide care for this age group, I would like to learn more about what these children need.
I am still in the process of looking for resources and would love any advice anyone can give on finding resources online. Are there any particular websites that are helpful?
Thank you in advance for any advice or tips you can give. I will post any good sites I may find.
My personal expierence with developmentally approrpriate practice has been an interesting one. I have found that depending on which school you teach for and what curriculum they follow they standards seem to change. It is usually decided by a school board as to what curriculum to follow. These differences have left me to question what is developmentally appropriate since there are many different opinions. Constructing the research chart helped me understand the organization I will need to complete this and how much information is out there. I just hope I dont become ovewhelmed by the amount of information I may need to go through.
I would like to learn more about research that focus' on play, I am using this term in the broad sense. When I talk about play I am referring to pretend play, outside play, center play. I have read many articles that argue there needs to be more academic time and less play.( Although I dont agree with this I plan on reading all the informtion with an open mind). How can a teacher make sure that all of these activites are developmentally appropriate for the differen age groups. I am also interested in learning more about developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers. There are many centers that simply provide care for this age group, I would like to learn more about what these children need.
I am still in the process of looking for resources and would love any advice anyone can give on finding resources online. Are there any particular websites that are helpful?
Thank you in advance for any advice or tips you can give. I will post any good sites I may find.
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