Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

I did not hear any microaggressions out in public this week. I think the reason for that is I did not go out in public much. I went to work but I did not hear my co-workers and parents make any comments that pertained to microaggressions. Other then work I ran to the store just to pick up a few things but did not hear or pay attention to what anyone was saying because I was in and out with in 10 minutes. Life of a graduate student is not being able to go out during the week and sometimes even on weekends, at least that is my life. I was able to hear microaggressions on the TV shows that I watched. 

The first microaggression that I heard was: "Wow would of never thought Jesús sister would be such a math wiz." That was from the TV show The Fosters. An ex-girl friend of Jesús was talking to Jesús sister. Jesús is not the smartest in the TV show. Though I do not know what kinds of ism that comment it would be it is a microaggressions. The ex-girlfriend is comparing the siblings, basically saying that she was shock that one of them is smart, though she did not mean it in that content but it could have been perceived in that content. Another comment I heard on TV is "You and your people are always smart". That comment was made on the TV show Golden Girls. Which I believe the producers had it Sophia say that comment because it fits her character. It is who she is. The comment was directed to a Chinese doctor. 
I did not feel anything really with the first example I gave for microaggression. I felt like I was more excited that I was able to pick up that it could be a microagression. When given this assignment I did not think I would hear any and was scared on what to write in my blog. To be honest when I heard the second example I laughed. You would have to know Sophia on what it was funny. You would also have to see her daughters face when she said that. Her daughter was very embarrassed that her mom said that and also that her mom kept talking about how his people are always so smart. Though in real life it would not be funny it was meant to be funny in this show. 
My experience with this assignment truly brought a light in my eyes that microaggression happens everywhere. We all as a society just choose not to listen. I will not try to become more aware of what I say to people. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

For this assignment I asked my mother, my sister and my husband to share their definitions. 

My Mother:

Culture-"The influences that affect my life (family background, place where I live, things happening in the world around me)"(Dine, 2015).

"Diversity is a collection of people or things that are different from each other (for example: a multi-age group of people, a gathering of people of different religious beliefs, a group of people of different nationalities) working toward a common goal"(Dine, 2015).

My Sister:

"Culture is a concept that societies construct to define their collective sense of identity, making them feel as if their group is distinct from other groups"(Dine, 2015).

"Diversity is the breaking up of homogeneity through harmoniously combining people or things that differ in significant ways"(Dine, 2015).

My Husband:

"My definition of culture is the different ways people live their lives. This could be the type of foods they eat, the clothing they wear, the beliefs they have, the language they speak, etc. The wonderful thing about America is that it is mixed with many different people that are from all different cultures"(LaBonville, 2015).

"My definition of Diversity is people of different cultures (ethnic backgrounds), age, race, religion, gender, etc. If it wasn't for diversity, the world would be a pretty boring place because everyone would be the same"(LaBonville, 2015).

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

I have studied that in this course that culture is more then just the food we eat or what we wear. It is much more then that. Culture is everything about us. My sister definition said it is how they define a sense of identity. That bought me back to week one when we learn about our identities. 

My mother and husband had a good definition of diversity. My mother stated that it was more then just race, that it is also religion, etc. My husband stated the same thing that everyone is different and all diverse. 

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

I feel they covered the definitions very well. They are not studying culture and diversity so they would not know every aspect of culture and diversity. Some things they omitted was in the deep culture. They omitted work, role of children and migration. 

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

Reading other definition bought me back to when I did not know much about culture and diversity. I knew what it meant but did not know about the deep meaning of them. Looking at their definitions showed me that I am growing and learning. 

My Family Culture

If I had to go take refugee in a different country and could only take three small items I would take my wedding ring, my families recipe book, and my family photo book.

The reason I would take my wedding ring is because it a a great symbol of my life. It means a lot to me and I always need to have it on my finger. I would explain to them that a wedding ring is a symbol of love. I would let them know that it was given to me by my husband on the day we became one.

The reason I would take my families recipe book is because some of the recipes go back to my grandparents some are recipes just from my mother. All those recipes are special and make very good food. If they were to ask me what the book was I would tell them that is has very good food that my family makes.

The reason I would take my family photo book is because it has many pictures of my family. I created it a year ago. It has picture of my grandparents, my aunts and uncles when they were young, my aunts and uncles presently and then my cousins and their children. I made it so I would have all pictures in one spot.

It would be a tough decision but I would keep my wedding ring. The reason I would keep this is because of what it is. A wedding ring is not just a piece of jewelry it is so much more. Plus if it did come a time where I need money I could always sell it. I would have a very hard time to selling it. 

I had a hard time deciding what I would bring. I do not have a lot of it from my family. My mom has it all and when the time comes she will be passing it down to me or my siblings. I do a few items that are from my great great grandparents but it is furniture nothing small. As a result of this exercise I realized that I do not know much about my family background and items that mean something. 

Insights that I have had during this course is how to do research. I also learn how to read journal articles. That you only have to read a few sections and not the whole journal article. That was nice because it cut down the reading time. 

To be honest my idea about during research have not changed. Coming onto this course I stated that I did not like to do research. I stated that I was open for that to changed. After taking this course I still do not like doing research. It is not my cup of tea. Research is not for everyone. 

I have learned so much about research in this class. I have learned that there are different designs in research. I never knew that before I always thought it was all the same. I knew there were different ways to conduct research but never realized what they were and when to do the different ways. 

The challenges I encountered was trying to stay interested in the course. Research is not for me and that made it very hard to actually sit down and so my homework. What made me get through it is know that this is a course and that I may still learn things even if I do not like research.  

I do not really think my perception has changed in the early childhood profession. I feel that is very important just as I did before the course. I still feel research needs to be done by the people that love research. I also still feel that that is still a lot to learn about the early childhood field. 

Research around the world

I have chosen to look at the website called Early Childhood Development Virtual University Sub-Saharan Africa. This website can be found at the following link http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php

There are many researches projects being conducted at this university. Some of which include the following:

* Supervision of early childhood education in Ghana

*Perception of early childhood development needs in education

*Involving fathers in early childhood education

*Programs and policies that support childcare for working families

When exploring early childhood websites you can gain a lot of knowledge. I enjoyed looking at this website. One insight that I have is that there are early childhood school outside of the United States. I never really thought about that and never knew where to look. I felt like this website is much different then what websites I am use. I know this website is for the university. If you go to any university website in the the United States it is very easy to move around. This website did not have much information on why to choose that university. It was not catchy either it was all white and black. 

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I have never been part of a research project but I do think it would be a awesome experience for me and the children I teach. I would be very interested in the results of what ever the research project was.

There are many topics out there that would make a good research project. If I was able to conduct a research project I would do it on home based programs vs. center based programs. Working with Head Start we offer both home based and center based. I would want to see which one is better or are they equal. I know the home-based programs have socialization groups but it is not required for the parents to bring their child there. I think the main thing that is learn in preschool is social skills. I feel that children in home base programs would not get that even if they attend the play groups because it is not an every day thing. 

I am not against home based programs because I do think it is best that the children get some education if their parents are unable to take them to the school. I think a positive outcome of this research project would be having more socialization times. Possibly requiring the parents to attend if they want to be part of the program.  It could also work out that home base programs are just as effective as center based programs. That could lead to Head Start programs offering more home based programs. Where I work Early Head Start have many home visitors but in Head Start we only have one home visitor that covers all of the county I live in. She can only offer services to twelve children. Proving that it is effective could make it so more children receive services. 

Critical Consumers of Research—Standards and Guidelines

I have chosen the topic of social-emotional development. I have chosen this topic because I feel that social-emotional development is what preschool is all about. I feel that if you do not succeed in social-emotional development you with have a tough time in your future years. The subtopic that I am currently using is teaching emotions to children who have autism.

I have never really had to do a major research project. I not saying I have never research anything but not into the extent of following a the process of research. I have had personal experience with social-emotional development. As a preschool teacher I see many children who are still developing in the social-development area. One of my preschoolers was really far behind when she first came to my classroom. Her doctor was thinking she may have autism but on the very low scale. I had her last year and she has grown so much. Though she is very attached to me she is getting better with other teachers. This has shown me that I can give children the right environment so they can succeed in future years. 

Using the research chart has help me gain more knowledge about the research project. Also it is helping me understand the terms that are in research. 

Do you have any good resources for social-development?