Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Blog: Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

• Describe at least one example of a microaggression which you detected this week or remember from another time. In what context did the microaggression happen? What did you think and feel when you observed the microaggression or when you found yourself as the target of a micro aggression?

One example of a microaggression that I found myself as the target of was when I was the program director of a children's center. I had been speaking to a photographer on the phone about our upcoming appointment for the children's annual photos and when we finally met, she looked at me from head to toes and said "You, I was expecting a middle age white woman to be the director, well, at least you speak good English". 

• In what ways did your observation experiences this week affect your perception of the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and/or stereotypes on people

This experience made me realize that sometimes we discriminate, pass judgement, and hurt others with certain comments that we make without being aware. I know that I am guilty of doing so, but this activity has helped to be more aware of how I communicate with others and how certain comments can offend or hurt others. I will try my best to choose my words wisely. 

                          

                 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Blog Assignment: Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Monica

Monica is a 22 years old 3rd generation Mexican American. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. When asked what she thought about diversity and culture, Monica said:

"Diversity and culture is what makes people who they are, including their differences and similarities. People come from different cultural backgrounds and with them, they bring different talents and that is the beauty of it all because we can learn from each other".

Tony

Tony is a 64 year old African American man from Chicago. He said that Diversity includes people from different places with different beliefs, religions, foods, clothing, and costumes and that being able to accept people for what they are is essential. He said that culture is not only what is seen on the outside, but also the things that one does on the daily. 

Maria

Maria is a 35 year old woman who was born here, but her parents are from Colombia. 

"Culture is the costumes and beliefs that people have" and diversity is the things that make people different from one another". 

The aspects of culture that were included are that the three people that I asked about diversity and culture stated that diversity and culture is what makes people who they are and that it includes the differences and similarities including their beliefs, talents, foods, customs, and what they have on the inside and not only what's on the surface.

Some of the aspects have been omitted are language, artifacts, intergenerational relationships, gender roles, work, roles, and how emotion is shown which are elements of surface and deep culture (Derma-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). 

People's definition of culture and diversity influences me in the ways that I can see more clearly that we all have different definitions of what these two terms mean. There are some similarities, but we see things from a different point of view because of the way that we were brought up and the experiences that we have experienced. Understanding even that can help us to understand each individual person better. 

                                                                     Reference

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

My Family Culture

Imagine the following:

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

• A description of the three items you would choose

The three items that I would take are:

1. Family picture album

2. Camera

3. Frame of my college degree

• How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

Our family picture album means a lot to us because it contains many fond memories lived through pictures. The camera is what it is used to capture the unforgettable moments and starting all over in another country would mean new memories to capture and share with the future generations. My college degree would serve as a reminder to my children of the importance of an education and the struggles and sacrifices that our family went through for me to receive it. 

• Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you

The feelings that I have are of sadness and frustration because that means that I have to give up two of the only three things that I have left and that remind me of my life back home.

• Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise

I have learned that I really do not have any family heirlooms and that I do live in the moment and capture our memories through the many pictures that I take. I also value education and would like to pass that down to my children. I also want my children to be able to share those photos with their children in the future. I do not have but two pictures of myself when I was little and my own family does not value education, therefore I think that those experiences with my own family have influenced the way that I feel about capturing as many memories and how I feel about education.

When I Think of Research...

Dear Colleagues,

I would first like to thank you for visiting my blog this past semester. I appreciate your comments, questions, and knowledge that you all have shared with me. I have learned so much from each and everyone of you. I hope to see you back next semester. I wish you all much success!

Thank you,

Reyna Salas

• What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

The insights that I have gained about research from this course are confidence, knowledge, and more clarity. 

Before taking this class I did not really know the importance of taking the proper steps when conducting a research study. I also learned how to look for reliable sources and how to narrow down a research topic.

• In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

My ideas about the nature of doing research has completely changed. Before this course, I did not know the meaning of many of the terms used and also the different types of methods that can be used. I can honestly say that I look at the nature of doing research with a whole new light and perspective.

• What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

The lessons that I learned about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood are that  it can be done when planned and designed with caution and that research continues to benefit the early childhood field as we speak. Having a well thought out design and a topic that is not too broad and following the steps necessary and using the methods that best work greatly helps support the hypothesis of the study.

• What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

At the beginning I felt somewhat unsure about the topic simulation that I wanted to pick, but as we went along and read more about research, I was able to change and modify my topic. Also, a lot of the information and the process of planning, designing, and doing research was all new to me so I felt that it was a lot of information to take in and process., but I was able to review the chapters and reading assignments as well as read other articles about research which helped me to break the information down and understand it more.   

• What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

I feel that I have a better understanding of all the work that it takes to do research and about how research is important to the early childhood field. The early childhood field is where it is because of research and its findings. 

Research Around the World

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

• What are some of the current international research topics?

STEM: Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology (STEM) link with other curriculum areas and programming in early childhood settings.

Learning and teaching through play

How quality early learning benefits children, families and our whole society

• What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

It was great to see that everyone around the world is advocating for children and their rights and that there are a lot of organizations that are working towards providing a healthy and safe environment for every child regardless of their race, socioeconomic status, and/or ability. 

I also enjoyed exploring this website and the webinars and modules that are provided for educators (no cost or for a minimal fee). 

• What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

I found a lot of great up-to-date information on child development for educators as well as for parents. 

Topics for parents

                    How to create a nurturing home environment for learning

 Early Childhood Australia – 2015: Belonging – at the heart of relating to others

 Early Childhood Australia – 2011: Responding  to your child’s emotional needs
 Early Childhood Australia – 2011: Making the most of your environment
 Raising Children Network – Relationships and Child Development
 The Benevolent Society – Resilient Practice Framework Guide 2: Secure & Stable Relationships

Presentations and workshops for educators

Start Early aims to help educators explore, through short online courses, how everyday behaviours and attitudes shape a child’s lifelong relationships.

The Raising Good Kids online course series for early childhood professionals (fee)

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

A positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families: 

The story that I am going to share with you today hits home because it is about my youngest daughter Gracie. Gracie is 7 years old and in the second grade. Two years ago, Gracie needed surgery. Her surgeon ordered us to take Gracie for labs, but her labs came back negative. They did not know why at the time so they asked us to take her back to the lab for more blood work. Still not knowing what was going on with Gracie, she became part of a research study that required her to get blood work two to three times a week. I was heart broken, but I knew that it was necessary and we also wanted and needed to find answers. After almost 6 months, they were able to diagnose Gracie with having Factor VII deficiency. Through their findings, they were able to give her the vitamin k and other medication that she needed in order not to bleed out during her surgery. She took those meds weeks prior to her surgery and that helped save her life. Factor VII deficiency has no cure, but knowing what it is, we are able to take the necessary precautions when she gets hurt, cut, or has nosebleeds, which is something that she suffers from due to her condition. We are still going through the process and I got tested 1 year ago and my labs came back fine, but will get tested again to see what genes causes this condition because it is said that both parents need to have it because it is a rare hereditary blood disorder and since I don't have it, they want to compare our genes and see which genes are affecting her since it is believed that she got it by hereditary and did not acquired it during birth. Gracie will be part of this research for the rest of her life since they want to see and learn how her body will react as she gets older, when she gets her menstrual cycles, and when she gives birth if she decides to. Her future husband will also need to get tested so they can learn about the risks if they do decide to have a family. 

This is one of the many reasons that I believe that research, even though sometimes it is tough on people, especially on children, it is necessary and it does have societal benefits. Hopefully the doctors that have seen my daughter are able to diagnose other children and adults earlier on and can help save their lives and continue researching for answers and bring awareness to this rare hereditary blood disorder. There are only fewer that 200 documented cases. I have provided a link if you would like to learn more about factor VII deficiency. 

Factor VII Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis - Healthline

www.healthline.com/health/factor-vii-deficiency

My Personal Research Journey

My Personal Research Journey

My chosen topic for the simulation is: 

Parental involvement in school life encourages educational success.

I chose this topic because it is very important for parents to be involved in their child's development and school life. When children feel cared for and important, they tend to do better in school and in all areas of their development and we all benefit from their success. 

Parents who are involved in their child's education create a connection between the home and school. Those who participate along with their child are privy to the many aspects of their child's day. At home, they are able to replicate and extend activities that their child experiences in school. An astute parent will pick up where the school left off and have an intuitive sense for what their child may need to work on to increase his competency and confidence. Ideas gleaned from the classroom give the parent inspiration for home activities that coincide with classroom tasks. Involved parents learn the names of various children in their child's class. They have a sense of who their child's friends are, who may be causing them trouble and how their own child is getting along in the group (Peck, 2014).

• My personal experience with this simulation process has been a bit overwhelming. There is so much information and putting it all together on paper has been challenging for me. I know that I will get better as we go. 

• The insights I have gained so far from constructing the research chart and from any other element of this course has been that there is so much information that I was not aware of and I am learning the steps of the research process. I am also learning new terms and learning how to search for literature that is current and valid.

Reference

Peck, A. (2014) The Importance of Parent Involvement in Early Childhood Education. Retrieved March 13, 2017, from livestrong.com