Reflecting on Learning

My passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional and for the children and families with whom I plan to work with is to help children become more than what they can be as well as to help them to be proud of themselves. I plan to become advocate for children and speak up for them to help them to rid the internalized messages that they have when it comes to bias misconceptions. I want to help children to develop strength and skills to make them proud of who they are.

I want to say thanks to my colleagues for all of your insights and expertise on I have gained throughout this course; to help young children to treat people with respect, dignity, and fairness regardless of their differences. Good luck to everyone on your lifelong journey!!

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

The area of the world that I chose is the Latin America and Carribean; Barbados.  The reason that I chose this area is because of the need to implement a positive discipline plan in schools.  The challenges that children face are corporal punishment, which have led to some children becoming troubled and distant.  Corporal punishment can affect children by confusing love with pain; it increases anxiety and fear, makes children angry in response, as well as decreases self-esteem. 

I have learned that corporal punishment affects children emotional well being and development in many ways. UNICEF-sponsored workshop helps to implement alternate parenting strategies; it provides strategies instead of just punishing bad behavior this approach, clearly defines expectations and what constitutes good behavior; making it easier for children to behave well. I have learned that it is important that I encourage parents that other means of discipline can work instead of corporal punishment.

References

UNICEF (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

I think that the ideas shared in this reading is disturbing. I think that parents should monitor what children are watching on television as well as on the computers.  I know that it is hard to keep children from the exposure of sexualization but it is important that we as parents and professionals do our part to make sure that children understand what is appropriate and what is not appropriate. I experienced watching sexualization for young children in a video game where there was a naked female woman as part of the game.  Some children model famous people using the terms that they are sexy just like their favorite artist. I feel that some children may only feel like they are sexy if they are wearing inappropriate clothing. There are young children as early as preschool that are caught kissing imitating what they have seen. Adults must keep close watch on young children to monitor what they are learning from the media when it comes to sexualization. I will provide resources for parents to make sure they are monitoring their children as well as make sure they are aware of who their children are spending time with and if they are role models for their children.

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

It is important for me as a future teacher to provide effective strategies that will address the various isms.  I am reflecting on ableism. There are many people who are discriminated against because of their disabilities. It is important for teachers to dispel the stereotypes about children with disabilities.

As I work into the school system I have heard many stereotypes about children with disabilities such as "These children can't learn."  These comments sadly, are commented by adults as well as children.  Children who are disabled may believe this and feel powerless. As a professional it is important for me to dispel this stereotype and help children learn to their fullest potentials.  I intend to post pictures of famous people who are disabled as well as read books about achieving your dreams.

Observing Communication

I observed a teacher and child in an elementary school.  The child got up to ask a teacher a question.  The teacher pointed to where the child was sitting and the child immediately walked back to the floor and sat down.  The parent came to pick the child up and the teacher explained to the parent that the child had been out of her seat without permission.  The child told her parent that the teacher did not listen to her and the child urinated in her clothes.  It is important that we listen to children; children need to feel respected and grounded in themselves. (Laureate Education, Inc, 2011)

The teacher should have listened to the child, even though the child did not follow the rules by getting out of her seat without permission; the teacher should have asked the girl to raise her hand and then listened to the little girl, instead of not listening to her. The child would not have urinated in her clothes.  The child was hurt and embarrased because of the fact the teacher did not listen to her.  The child felt as if she was not important to the teacher and feel as if she could not talk to the teacher about anything because fear of being fussed at.

I have learned that it is important to listen to children even when you are upset.  It is important that we don't close children off to the wall. (Laureate Education, Inc, 2011) If we take the time to listen to children we can learn a lot about them.

References

Laureate Education, Inc, 2011Communicating with Young Children (approximate length: 10 minutes)
 

Blog 1 Creating Affirming Environments

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”
― Maya Angelou

Age Range: 1-10  10 Students
Belinda's Care Home. An environment rich in anti-bias materials invites exploration and discovery and supports children's play and conversations in both emergent and planned activities.(Sparks, & Edwards, 2010) My anti-bias learning environment will include an environment rich in anti-bias materials. The classroom includes a welcome sign in both English and Spanish.  The classroom walls displays pictures of diverse families; it also displays photos of all the children, families, and staff in the program in their daily lives. (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010)   The walls display photos of children and adults from various racial and ethnic identity groups, with permission from parents; as well as people with disabilities of various backgrounds.

The program includes lunch that serves foods of different culture for children. The classroom teachers speaks dual language. The library includes materials and literacy that reflects families from diverse cultures. The bulletin boards will reflect children and families in my program. Children will make books about their families. Families will be invited to come in and share important things about their culture; they may share recipies and display them on a bullentin board.

My program will include puzzles that will include children of diverse cultures. Dolls features will be realistic and not stereotypical. Photos will reflect boys and girls playing with dolls. Toys from different culture will be in each center. The classroom will display schedules in English and different languages.

References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC

What I Have Learned

One hope that I have when I think about  about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that all children are able to be themselves without barriers in their lives that will make them uncomfortable in their own skin.

One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to continue to attend workshop, courses as well as training to continue to be updated on new knowlege when it comes to diversity, equity, and social justice.

I would like to say thank you to Professor Weems, as well as my colleagues.   I am grateful to had this opportunity to collaborate and exchange ideas on learning strategies to help children to overcome bias, and prejudice.  Good luck to everyone on your educational journey.