Professional Hopes and Goals

·        Hope

o   One hope that I have when thinking about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that people stop creating and believing stereotypes. Whether we believe them or not, we still are aware of them and that awareness can unintentionally offend someone some day. It is best to check all biases before working with children and their families. All children and their families should get the same care and education.

·         Goal

o   One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field relating to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to develop a curriculum that is inclusive for all.

·        Thanks

o   I would like to thank all of my colleagues for your posts and comments throughout this course. It has been a pleasure learning with and from each and every one of you. I wish you all much success and many blessings for the future!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Let’s say a new family from Ethiopia has moved into our community. Their two-year-old son will be joining my child care facility in two weeks. I went to school with other Ethiopian children but do not really know much about the country and their culture. How can I prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this child and his family?

 

1. I will first research the country to learn the basic “surface” facts. It is always nice to know the general information about a country.
2. Then I will research to learn more about the traditions, values, and customs of the people, particularly the region where my family is coming from.
3. I will then ask my friends who are from the country to provide me insight on their beliefs. I will ask for information relating to holidays and common family traditions.
4. I will also reach out to the new family so I can see what traditions and values are important and specific to them. I will do this so I can see how to include their traditions into the classroom. I want the child to feel welcome and comfortable because it is a new environment.
5. Lastly, I will invite the family into the classroom. I want them to become familiar with the environment as well. Maybe they would like to share with the class something about themselves so the other students can learn more about them.

 

Getting to know others is important for all parties involved. By researching the country I am showing the family that I am taking an interest in their lives. They are not just another number or family enrolled in the program. I want them to feel welcomed and important. Too often new families and children join programs and become another figure. I do not want any of my families to feel that way.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

             This week we were asked to speak on an incident when experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression. This was a difficult assignment for me because although I am sure I have experienced these at some point or another in my life, nothing really stood out for me. Maybe I am fortunate that none of the events left a permanent emotional scar.

            The one event that comes to mind took place during my senior year of undergraduate studies in college. I was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 19. At the age of 21 I suffered from multiple blood clots and had to be hospitalized. After my stay at the hospital, I needed to be on crutches for a while. My doctor suggested getting handicap license plates for my car and keeping them permanent being that the lupus could flare at any time. I agreed. Well, one morning I was running late to class and was looking for a parking space. My university is in the heart of a city so parking was very limited. I was lucky and found a handicap space in front of the building where my class was held. As I set my alarm on my car, an owner of one of the many food trucks lined up across the street, started yelling at me. He told me I should be ashamed of myself for taking that spot because I was not handicap. (I was off of the crutches by this time.)

            He said I was taking the spot away from a real handicap individual. He called me a few other unpleasant names as well. I tried to explain to him that I was handicap, but he did not believe me because I did not “look” the part. I felt horrible, embarrassed, and offended all at the same time. I brushed him off (praying he would not deface my car) and went on to class. Unfortunately, that is something I will never forget.

            Obviously, the food truck owner would have to change in this situation. Every handicap individual does not “look” handicap. I think that is a horrible stereotype that so many people have. There are plenty of reasons an individual may have handicap license plates. People need to get that stereotype of their minds and just accept people for who they are.