Professional Hopes and Goals

Professional Hopes and Goals

I have gained so much information about diversity during this course. i understand how much a person’s culture, value, and beliefs make up who they are as an individual. How important it is for educators to establish a relationship with all children and their families, to stand up for the rights of others, and to respect all people.

My hope is for all programs working with children and families from diverse backgrounds is that all people accept and respect each other, to embrace both the similarities and the differences that each family brings to the program.

My goal is to continue to be passionate and to be an effective advocate for children and the families I serve. My goal for the Early Childhood field is for it to incorporate families diversity more into the programs by doing this we will be able to understand and meet the individual needs of the children and families more. This would give the children and families a sense of pride concerning their culture.

I would like to thank all my colleagues for the feedback you have given to me during this course. I appreciate the insights and ideas you shared. My wish for you is that you keep your passion and fulfill your desires in life as you continue your journey. Hope to share other classes with you. God Bless!

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Welcoming Families From Around the World

 

I am working in a childcare center and I received word that a child from a family who recently emigrated from Niger, Africa would be enrolling in the center. The family home language is French.

 

 I would prepare myself to be culturally responsive by:

 

*Getting all the information I can obtain about the child and her family before their arrival. (Language, culture, and interest, number of children in family, role of children, gender roles, child’s abilities or disabilities). Review paper work.

*Learn basic words in family home language, also label and post names of item in family home language and English. Have a translator available.

* Incorporating art, music, foods and crafts from the family culture.

* Have a meeting with all staff to collaborate on ways we all can make child and family feel welcome at the center and to discuss any problem they foresee.  

*Be aware of my own attitudes toward cultures differences.

My overall goals are to eliminate all bias, prejudices and discrimination that may be present, make sure the child and her family members feel valued, respected, and welcome in the child’s learning environment. To include all children cultural knowledge as part of the learning environment in which all children may engage in and thrive in during their learning process.   

 

 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

 I was raised in a very small town in the South. I remember when I was in the 8th grade. A Caucasian family moved into town. The family had a boy my age and his younger sister. The boy was placed in my class at school.  My best friend who was an African American girl (Amy) and the Caucasian boy (Ken) decided to become girlfriend and boyfriend.  In the late 60’s the idea of a Caucasian boy dating an African American girl in the south was not accepted.  This relationship brought forth an uproar within the school among the teachers, principal and some of the student. They both was harassed by teachers, students, cafeteria staff, and custodian of the school.   The teachers of both race gather Amy and Ken together for mandatory meetings. Within the meeting, the teachers began to explain why their relationship was not acceptable at school. I remember the principal meeting with the parents of my friends. This interracial relationship was so discriminated against that my best friend and her family moved out of the county a few weeks later.

 Now that I am aware of internal oppression I can see how this incident could have effected many internally who was involved in the situation. Incidents such as this is degrading and humiliating. They destroy ones self-esteem and self-worth.

As we know prejudices is a learn behavior and children do not automatically display this behavior, in the late 60’s children were introduced to prejudices behavior through adults actions. Today our society is more acceptable to interracial relationships. I am glad things has change enough that people are free to have relationships with whom they choose.