My Journey To….

   EDUC 6164

One Hope!

I hope that working with diverse backgrounds, I can share a sense of humanitarianism to ECE. I hope that working with and for diversity I can make children and families comfortable, acquainted, and adapted in a classroom context learning from them as they look to learn from me.

One Goal… OK, many goals!

One goal that I want to include in ECE is motion that educators advance excellence in participation of research in diversity, equality, and social justice that teeters effective learning and development regarding early childhood. ECE ought to encourage student success so that discrimination and prejudice behaviors diminish for child sake and development. Educators need to expand child’s ability to learn appropriate curriculum and gain altruistic behaviors as they grow within classroom context and society. This can enhance ethical and social commitment and understanding to classmates, colleagues, family, and neighbors. Also, establishing communal outreach and civic interactions can help diversity, equality, social justice if ECE promotes awareness, advocates, and remains prominent to cultural contents of learning and behaviors of development.

Thank you…

“when you look back at your career, the highlights will never be the awards and promotions… but the people you’ve worked (learned) with. Thanks for being a fantastic highlight in mine.”
                                                                                    -Author Unknown, n.d.

Team work is important toward success. During this course I have found through discussions, blogs, emails, and reflections that without colleague’s response my thinking, theories, and work would not be as worthy as they are without feedback – without teamwork. Bouncing ideas, I find we’ve worked together. As colleagues, we learn together. My individual career path would never go anywhere if it weren’t for your teamwork. You go out of your way. This is just the kind of motivation I need from colleagues to aspire me in ECE.


Thank you for all the help. 

PARAGUAY

EDUC 6164

As an educator, it is my job to prepare my class that someone “different” is coming, but that “different” is good and fun! We will all learn from them as they learn from us!

Preparation is a focus on strengths in diversity and as my class sees me prepare I want to address what I am doing and address the benefits…. This is what I would do as an educator if I were receiving a new student from Paraguay…. (A country I know nothing about.)

1)    I want to prepare students to welcome the new student from Paraguay by introducing themselves.

2) I would dedicate time to Google, physical resources, books -anything that I can get my hands on about Paraguay so that I can get basic knowledge as a head start.

3) I would teach myself or use resources to learn basic linguistics so communication is not awkward and that my new student is able to tell me their needs. I would also teach my students what I know so they can learn to communicate as well.

4)                         I would decorate the classroom using visual aids such as posters, charts, and storybooks that represent both the American culture and South American culture. I would include games that are known in Paraguay and I would add fun learning activities that are relevant to Paraguay learnings.

5) I would want my students to become open to new cultural differences such as SNACK TIME where ethnic snacks are offered that we learn come from Paraguay.

6) Lastly, I would incorporate South American music and celebrations into a class lesson or unit so that students are exposed to new sounds, new dance, and traditions.

The benefits of having preparation and action of a new student include:

1)    Inclusion is essential!

2) Self-regulation helps self-esteem and behavioral effects toward learning and play with others

3) Preparation can help potential relationships with educator, students, and faculty.

4)                        Cultural continuity is more likely than cultural discontinuity when a new student such as my new student from Paraguay is given inclusion, visual aids, and celebrations to feel accepted for “differences”.

5) Preparation focuses on not just a dominant culture but multi cultures that help children and families find satisfied and cozy knowing educators, like myself, and my students are open to difference even in a learning environment.

The goal of preparation is to take the benefits, run with them and make sure ALL children are academically and emotionally ready for future success no matter where they come from.   

WATCH IT!

EDUC 6164

Some of the most prevalent kinds of oppression today is race, sexism, and classism.

Through the course of history, it was our own ancestors who started oppression battling and fighting for relief of such unjustified feelings. People have categorized those different for centuries...

It is wrong to do this but it happens nonetheless... whether in society, or at home, we are influenced in some way or another.

Considering the fact that this is an Early CHILDHOOD blog, I must point out a few childhood movies that I find closely related to bias, prejudice, and oppressive behaviors...

1) Remember the movie Pocahontas (1995)? "All the colors of the wind".... Yes, Pocahontas and John Smith were categorized and grouped by their own people due to different colored skins which interfered with friendships -and love. There is no telling how accurate the true story of Pocahontas went down back in the 14th century but racism was and still is a major downer. It is made in movies that influence young children audiences so what have we learned as children and how do we teach our children about race and effects of racism?

2) Mulan (1998) was a kick butt movie if you ask me... When the Huns were out to invade the Chinese Empire it was Mulan who braved the dangers disguising herself as a male warrior to save her father from battle. This movie shows sexism where women were NOT allowed to assume roles for men because men have power -superiority. Women are pressured to marry, become housewives, and tame the children, not go off to war! Sexism should not dictate heroism and who a hero should be if you ask my opinion...

3) Lastly, the movie Trolls (2016) is a movie about two trolls, Poppy and Branch, who go on an adventure to save Poppy's friends. This movie is a prime example of oppression simply because the trolls were oppressed trying to find "true colors" when the King wants to eat every troll. I see classism (rich versus poor) here...

Whatever the story is, the experience, using imagination, or looking at our history people witness or become oppressed at some point. Of course I can mention an experience or two of bias, prejudice, or oppression but I find it important to mention that, as children, what we grow up watching on TV influences how we feel toward others in a diverse society, in a classroom, or even as adults. It is just a a matter of recognizing the influences and making sure children know the causes and effects of bias, prejudice, and oppression that can lead to racism, sexism, and classism (to name a few)...

Works cited

Bancroft, T., Cook, B. (Director). (1998). Mulan [Motion Picture]: Walt Disney Pictures

Mitchell, M. (Director). (2016). Trolls [Motion Picture]: Dream Works

Pentecost, J. (Producer). (1995). Pocahontas [Motion Picture]: Walt Disney Pictures