Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

As it was perfectly described in the video by Dr. Sue every day we experience a certain type of microagression that makes us feel marginalize, discriminated or excluded from a society that is powered by the majority group. With comments that might not be with the intension of offending, but often do more harm than those that actually are intended. A clear example happened to me two weeks ago, when while taking with the mom of one of my daughters best friends about our plans to visit Niagara Falls. She asked if we would we would see them from the American side, and I said that our intention was to see them from Canada, the she said “Do you have a passport?” My first answer was yes, we do! After that I tried not to show that I was upset with her comment and she seemed not to be aware of what had happened. She made me feel as if all Mexican’s were illegal in this country reason why we wouldn’t have a passport, I also felt as Dr. Sue said a perpetual foreigner in my own land.

Another example happened that same week when my daughter’s best friend came to our home to have a play day with my daughter. While walking to the park, my 3 year old son was riding his bike so I was walking in front of the girls, which were my 10 year old daughter and  Vinny her best friend, I noticed that a couple walked by and I smiled. When we got to the park my daughter said “Mom did you hear what that couple said, I said no, what did they say? They said those two colors of people don’t go together, what did they mean? My first reaction was I don’t know, don’t pay attention and have fun. Then I thought about it more, both my son and I are light completion, while my daughter and her best friend which is a beautiful Indian girl are darker especially with all the soon they have been getting. I can imagine that they were comparing our colors and race saying that Mexicans and Indians should be together.   I felt their comment was very racist and rude, the way they said it and that my daughter had heard it really bothered me, so I tried to invalidate it or ignore it, and I wanted my daughter to do the same, but as Dr. Sue mentioned they are comments that accumulate and leave a scar that affects you even if you try to ignore it. After reviewed Dr. Sue video and analyzing various instances in which I have been witness or victim of microaggression, I have a clear perception on the consequences that comments either intentional or unintentional about a person’s race, color, culture or ethnicity can have. And as educators we have the responsibility to make sure that all children and families feel safe, welcomed and valued as unique human beings and not feel inferior, excluded, marginalized or alienated.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I had the opportunity to interview people from different cultures as mine: One was my daughter which age is 16, my husband who is of a different gender and my neighbor which is a 70 year old German lady.

I first interview my daughter and her response to culture was: Culture is what a particular place like a country or region believes traditions and values.  Diversity is when you have a group of people from various nationalities, religions and believes together in a particular place.

My husband said that Culture is what a particular person believes and values, his traditions and says of understanding life. Where a person comes from and what their education and economic status is, how a person conducts him/herself in different circumstances. Diversity is when a group of people from various backgrounds are gathered together in one particular place. They all have different ways of thinking, speaking, dressing and practicing their faith.

My neighbor said that Culture was basically where you came from. If you were born in Poland you are Polish, if you are from China then you are Chinese and so on. Diversity is when you have a group of people from different countries all together. Then you have a group of people sharing their different traditions, foods and customs.

As I reflect on the answers provided during the interview in each of the participants, I am able to see many of the elements that were discussed in our coursed in regards to culture and diversity. They all mentioned that Culture is where a person comes from or race, what they believe and value. In regards to diversity the all mentioned that it was a group of people all with sharing different traditions, speaking a different language and practicing a different faith. What I did see is that they did omit several important factors in regards to culture that are not so superficial such as parenting, family dynamics, and expectations.

After reviewing each of the responses I’m able to understand how important it is to be able to understand the essence of what culture and diversity encloses. It is not enough to know superficial aspects if we really what to understand and value what a person values.

My Family Culture

If I would to decide to take 3 items from my personal belongings that would represent my family culture, it would be an album of family pictures that have pictures of several of my family members that live in Mexico City.  I have always enjoyed seeing these pictures, and sharing them with my children, it not only brings memories of relatives that I have not seen in years but also those that have passed away and that my children never got no know. I would take a Christ that I have in my bedroom, because  it has been with me and my husband since we good married, which has been 21 years, as a wedding present from my mother. It not only has a special meaning, but it also represents our belief’s as members of Catholic family, that puts their life’s in the hands of God.

Another item would be a “Chal”, it is like a small blanket that helps you carry you’re new born. It has a special meaning to me because it was a gift from my grandmother when I had my first child and I used it with all my three children. In order to give up any the three items would be extremely difficulty, and if I would have to choose one it would be my album of photos. They would be the item that would represent my culture, believes and values and the one that I could continue sharing with my children as well as to others.

   
An important insight that I gained from this assignment, is that my spiritual believes as well as my family are the foundation of my culture. That it is of extreme importance that I pass these to my children and their children as a way of not forgetting who we are, where we come from and what we believe.

When I Think of Research

One important insight that I gained in regards to research, is the value it was in society with it we can better understand the behavior and needs children and family have in order to improve, modify or change our views or ways of providing services. Another insight I gained was that research is not as simple as I thought, it requires a lot of planning, research, organization and effort in order to meet the needs of all parties not just the needs of the researcher. My idea about the nature of doing research completely changed, I know have a more clear understanding of its implications as well as its benefits for society and that because of this it has to be done in a way that is informative, ethical and meaningful that it has to have a purpose of improving the lives of others. Another important insight I learned was that not all research is accurate and valid, that it is important to review them carefully before considering them as tools for references. I learned identify the clues to look for when trying to find a research paper that is worth using as a point of reference.

The lesson that I learned in regards to planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood, is that it has to be done professionally.  That it is important for the researcher to learn to identify its bias in order to better observe, document and avoid judging or stereotyping during the research. It is also important in order for the information to be accurate and valid. Validity is an important peace in all research and in order for this to happen researchers need to be conscience that everything is done properly and with equity.  

Among the challenges I encountered was being able to identify which method of research would be the best fit for my type of research. Another challenge was being able to identify the question that would better guide my research to the intended result and validity that would confirm my hypothesis. The way I was able to overcome these challenge was with the support of my text book, colleagues as well as the valuable feedback obtained from my instructor during the course.

As, I learn more about our role as professionals in the field of Early Childhood, I’m able to understand how important our influence can be in the lives of children and their families. How we can we make a difference in the lives of many children and their families by actually being proactive and researching ways to improve our understanding and service to the children and families we serve.

Thank you all for your wonderful support, things would have been much harder if I wouldn’t have counted with your experience and knowledge in regards to the difference aspects of early childhood focused on research that we explored during this course. Good luck to all and I’m looking forwards on hearing from you again in the next courses to complete for our Master’s Degree.

Research Around the World

I choose to review the link http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php

Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Developed and maintained by the University of Victoria, Canada, this virtual university is the international gateway for early childhood research worldwide. As I reviewed their website I was able to understand the wonderful work they do to educate and training in regards to child and young care, as they express in their mission. “The School of Child and Youth Care provides education, training, professional development and research for the care and support of children, youth, families and their communities. The work of the School of Child and Youth Care is grounded in the principles of inclusion, social justice and ethical practice”.

The University has 3 major goals:

One is to provide university level education in child and young care through the delivery of an inclusive curriculum that address the cultural competencies, knowledge, skills, and self awareness/development necessary for child and youth care professionals to meet the highest standards of professional practice. They undertake innovative theoretical, empirical and applied research that represents diverse populations, contexts, histories, epistemologies, knowledge and experiences. Last of all and perhaps one of the most important goals in the importance they give to motivating leadership in the area of social advocacy, education, research and professional development while supporting the initiative of others in enhancing services, public policies, and the evolution of the field and the promotion of social justice.

Among the valuable information they offer in their website it was great to see how they encourage employment opportunities to these students that are graduating. How they value the importance of equity opportunities and fairness among the applicants. Encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University.

Other noteworthy information that I was able to find in the website was various ways information, questions and live conversation could be made with people interested in their program such as, FACEBOOK, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube. Which are great ways to reach a bigger number of people interested.

Research that Benefits Children and Families

There are many topics that came to mind when trying to find a topic that I would like to have the means and knowledge to conduct a research on. One that struck my attention despite the fact that it has been the study for many years is “Parenting Styles, and its impact in Delinquency. As everything evolves and changes, so have parenting styles need to change in order to adapt to the different needs of young children.

We have various types of parenting styles such as Authoritative, Rewarding, Inductive, and Authoritarian. Many articles have examined the association between harsh discipline practices and negative outcomes, such as aggression and delinquency. Authoritarian parenting was associated with more delinquency, while authoritative with less delinquency.

I believe that the findings of my research will reinforce the importance parenting has in the present and future well being of the children and future adults. It is of vital importance that society realizes how vital it is to proper care for their children in order to avoid future problems as they become adults.

Your Personal Resouch Journal

Among the various issues that I have found important interesting and relevant to research, in regards to early childhood and its impact in the development of a child is “Parent Involvement”. These are the subtopics I would like to focus on:

a)    The influence “Parent Involvement” has in the student’s achievement

b)    Ways to foster “Parent Involvement”

c)    Reasons why “Parent Involvement” declines as children get older

d)    The impact Male/Dads participation has in the child’s school achievement

The reason why I choose this topic is because; I have observed the lack of participation from the parents in the education of their children. I worked for many years in the field of early childhood for a head start program, and I have seen very little if noon improvement of the parents involvement in the various events, meeting and conferences. It seems that parent involvement is been placed at the end of parents list due to various reasons that I would like to research. As a working mom with 3 children and going to school I can relate to many of the parents that find it difficult to participate in their child’s school, but at the same time I  can say that it is not impossible if you try and prioritize your numerous commitments for the better of your children current and future education. I have also come across those parents that do not understand the importance their predication has in the development of their child and how it can impact their future achievement.

I would really appreciate any insights you may have regarding this topic, experiences or thoughts. If you have any good resources you would like to share that will provide me with valuable information that I could use n my research of “Parent Involvement”.  Have found some articles that I would like to share with you in regards to this topic:

Resources:

Article: Graue, Elizabeth; Clements, Melissa A.; Reynolds, Arthur J.. Education Policy Analysis Archives, v12 n72 Dec 2004. (EJ853535) More than Teacher Directed or Child Initiated: Preschool Curriculum Type, Parent Involvement, and Children’s Outcomes in the Child-Parent Centers. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Research Database.

Article: Webster-Stratton, Carolyn; Reid, M. Jamila; Stoolmiller, Mike. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, v49 n5 p471-488 May 2008. (EJ812883) Preventive Conduct Problems and Improving School Readiness: Evaluation if the incredible Years and Child Training Programs in High Risk Schools. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Research Database.