Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

This by far has been the most interesting class in the program! I have learned so most that I can apply to my daily life that will make me a better educational professional. One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that I get to know them and work with them in an unbiased and nonjudgemental way! I hope one day we can all live in a prejudice free and unbiased world.

I have had so challenging times during this class but with great support form my professor and colleagues, I pulled through.

I want to take the time to give a special thanks to Dr. Horton. Thank you for your understanding, feedback, advice, and words of encouragement. It was greatly appreciated.

I also want to thank group #3. We were a small group which I liked. It was more imitate and personal. I wish you all success on the rest of your educational journey and I hope I get the pleasure of working with everyone in future courses!

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

When I entered high school, I kept my hair in a ponytail and wrapped up in a bun. I would never let it down. Well, during our winter break, my step-mother trimmed my ends and straightened my hair. I returned back to school with my hair out. At the time my hair was all the way down my back. I would describe my hair as fine and curly. Both of my parents are from the Native and African American decent. Everyone is my class kept asking me was this my real hair or weave. One girl even ran her hands through my hair to see if it was extensions or a wig because she did not believe me. I felt so uncomfortable that I went into the bathroom and put my hair back up. Negative comments and remarks were from different races; even my own ( white, black and asian). If I were put into this situation today, my reaction would be different. I would inform my classmates that everyone's grade of hair is different and not all black people wear weaves or have 'nappy' hair. I also would leave my hair out and ignore all the negative comments that were directed towards me.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

I have  a student starting my day care center who has recently immigrated form Bali, Indonesia. 

• Five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family:
• I will research and talk to the family about the following:

1. Religious Impact 

2. Family Structure 

3. Differences between Eastern & Western Civilization 

4. Perspective on Education 

5. Impact of Genders in Culture 

          Children in Bali practice Buddhism.  Some Buddhist sects require that women wear head coverings.  I will prepare myself, through internet research and conversations with the parents, to educate myself on the requirements of the religion. I hope that this preparation will benefit the daycare and the parents to avoid the child feeling isolated or singled-out.  

          Most Eastern civilizations adhere to assigned gender roles.  Generally, males work outside of the home, while women assume more domestic responsibilities.  Western cultures often do not recognize these roles and share responsibilities based on requirements of the home.  Knowing the difference, I will research how to introduce various gender assignment in order to avoid offending the parents and making interaction uncomfortable.  In writing this blog, I recognize that conversations with both parents are required to determine who will assume childcare correspondence.

          In Bali, most children attend school for four hours each day for six days a week.  Most children, including children at our day care, are under our care for eight to nine hours for five days a week.  It is important that I research how to better maintain the child's attention and focus in the extended environment.