Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

For this assignment I choose to contact 3 important people to me. I spoke with two colleagues/friends and my significant other. All gave definitions for culture and diversity that related to things we have been learning in this course.  For example, how diversity means having a variety of individual cultures. Also how diversity does not mean that you have to lose who you are because it’s acceptance of various cultures. Culture was overall seen as an individual’s unique characteristics and can be things that have become customs or generational. One thing that I could see being omitted was lack of response to say that diversity means to recognize that there are differences. I think reflecting on their answers has influenced my own thinking in a positive way. I feel that we all have some understanding of diversity and culture. Best of all we know that diversity exist in society and are representations of each person’s unique culture.

Significant Other: Diversity: It’s division of different nationalities/ people. Not necessarily negative because of different diversities of culture. Culture: One’s nationality, ethnic background, and variety of other things. Things like food or music. It’s a person’s lifestyle.

Colleague/ Friend 1: Diversity: Differences within a group, but still being oneself. Culture: One’s traditions, beliefs, or behaviors that they follow. Qualities in a particular person. Culture could also be related to certain periods in times, such as, medieval times or Greek culture.

Colleague/ Friend 2: Diversity: the acceptance of various cultures. Culture: The customs and language of a group of people. It doesn’t necessarily mean race or ethnicity but just a common acceptance of a group of people. Often customs are passed down from generation to generation.

My Family Culture

Three items I would choose to take with me would be my cell phone, charger, and purse. Although these items may seem crazy to take with you following such a catastrophe, they all hold great value to my culture. I would need my cell phone and charger because, hopefully, I could remain in contact with other love ones and friends that may be placed in other countries. I would hope that I could remain in contact via a call, text, or social media. Besides remaining in contact with love ones and friend, I could use the pictures and videos I have to look back on memories I have created with them. I think this will help provide balance to feeling connected with my family and friends. I could also use my phone to use various applications, especially my Bible Version App, so that I could stay grounded in my word and faith in God that things will get better and to keep me encouraged during this catastrophe. I could also keep a diary of notes or things I wanted to express during this strenuous time being away from home. I also chose my purse because it has everything in it. Things like my driver’s license, teacher badge, pictures, and other important things that identify who I am.

 If I were told upon arrival I could only take one personal item and give up two, this would be a tough one for me. So I guess I would do without the cell phone because I wouldn't have the charger and I couldn't use a charger without a phone. I guess I would manage with just my purse and be able to remind myself  who I am with the items inside of it.  By doing this assignment, I learned that family culture is something that comes from within. Although we become attached to things, we have to be reminded that material things don’t last always. We have to remember that family culture, being diverse, and cultural differences will continue to exist with or without materialistic items we use on a daily basis. I feel that it comes from within our hearts how we define ourselves, beliefs, customs, race, etc. It’s something that cannot just be labeled with material things.

When I think of Research.....

This course has been very helpful towards my understanding of research. I have learned so many things, but I will share some key concepts I have learned. One would be how a newbie, like myself, could even define research.  According to Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford (2010) research is “a tool that helps us answer important questions about early childhood. Research is about uncovering and enabling the emergence of new understandings, insights and knowledge.”  I also learned a numerous amount of new terms that apply to research, such as, paradigms, quantitative and qualitative approaches, quasi-experiments, and others that I was able to share my meanings of the words in our weekly assignments. I now understand the amount of background knowledge and use of thought processing it takes to conduct research, as far as, planning, designing, and conducting research. Through the part 2 weekly assignments I was challenged to think of a research simulation, purpose a question that could be tested, figure out who I would study, and what types of methods and approaches I could use to validate my research study. I also learned the importance of validating research because it makes the study more solidified and also the importance of ethical concerns. A challenge I encountered was really coming up with a research question that I felt could be useful towards early childhood, but through personal and professional reflection I chose to focus on socio-emotional skills. Another challenge for me was trying to comprehend the vocabulary and learn how to apply it to the coursework. Through course readings, teacher, and colleague support I managed to push my way through. I have a greater appreciation for those early childhood researchers after doing this course. I truly am grateful for studies past, present and future because it takes a great deal of work, time, and support to provide answers, insights, and new understandings to such a valuable field---early childhood. Thanks again colleagues for your support along the way!!!

Reference

MacNaughton, G., Rolfe, S.A, & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research:

International Perspectives on Theory and Practice (2^nd ed). New York, NY:

McGraw Hill

Research Around the World

The website I chose to explore was http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php   or http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php. The organization’s name is Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and helps with providing early childhood development courses for those participants that have been nominated by Early Childhood Development committees that want to help further their knowledge on children’s development and how to support their communities and families. Some current international research topics I found were how fathers can be more involved in early childhood development and care, providing effective strategies for parent and school collaborations, curriculum development using community resources, and how grandparents can help support children 8 and under effected by HIV/AIDS. I feel these topics are very current and trendy to what issues are taken place in the country of Africa. I feel this international early childhood website is very resourceful to help Early Childhood professionals in this country become knowledgeable and supportive to young children, their families, and their community as a whole.

Research that Benefits Children and Families

    A topic I would choose to study would be implementing effective early childhood programs and rigorous, age- appropriate curriculum for older toddlers to help with the development of academic and social skills. I would choose this topic because I have a two year old son, and he amazes me with things that he has learned early on because he has been taught and introduced to these new concepts. For instance, he has learned his name starts with a Kk/ and will even try writing it. I would be intrigued to see if we start implementing early education programs and curriculum for toddlers, the advancements we could have for children that would be more school ready. Also I think it may show how appropriate education can help build a child’s cognitive and social skills if we start even early in age.  

My Personal Research Journey

The topic I have chosen for my research simulation is teacher strategies that are useful for maintaining high quality preschool or prekindergarten classrooms. I have chosen this as my simulation because I currently serve as a teacher for pre-kindergarten at Fort Worth ISD in Fort Worth, Texas. I work with children that would be considered at-risk and would love to learn new insights about maintaining a high quality classroom. As a teacher I endure a lot of situations that may be behavioral concerns, learning disabilities, children in temporary living situations, and other situations that affect the many children I serve.  I figure researching this topic will help me become well-rounded and become a better educator for the children and their families.  From constructing the research chart, I learned how to better analysis a research article. Also I am starting to learn more about certain terms used with research. I feel that “A Practical Guide to Reading Research Articles” and the course book have been instrumental in the process of becoming better at understanding research terms and how to become competent in doing research. If any colleagues have any advice or further resources to help with my topic, feel free to comment. Thanks in advance!

Resources that have been helpful:

Lepuschitz, J.K. (2011). A practical guide to reading research articles. Laureate Education Inc., Baltimore, MD. 

 Doing Early Childhood Research: International Perspectives on Theory and PracticeAppendix 1, “Getting Our Terms Right”  Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International perspectives on theory
and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Final Blog Assignment!!!

Three consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for professional and personal development:

1. 1.      I was able to learn about current issues and trends that are taking place internationally. I found out that issues we are dealing with nationally are also affecting others internationally.
2. 2.      I was able to gain some resources to learn more insight about current issues and trends. These resources offer information on trends.
3. 3.      I was able to learn new knowledge about current issues and trends and see what other Early Childhood professionals or practitioners are doing to work on helping fight these issues.

A goal for the field for international awareness of issues and trends is to stay current and continue to share new knowledge learned with other professionals in the early childhood field.