Collaborative Learning Community

The last 8 weeks was a wonderful experience and I have learned great deal on what it means to be effective in our communication and listening skills. I say all the time you learn something new each day. All my colleagues have been supportive in responding to information as well as giving suggestions and advice on how they effectively communicate or have learned new skills as a result of this class. I like the honesty displayed by all and they were not afraid to say how they feel. I am been supportive by offering any advice asked by others or administering some of the knowledge I have on some issues. I too still learned information that I have already begun to incorporate in my day to day dealings with each and every person I come in contact with. I would like to wish each and every one of you much success as you continue your progress at Walden University.  Please feel free to email me at childrens4802@gmail.com and I will give you my contact information to keep in touch.

Thanks Again from the bottom of my heart

ADJOURNING PHASE

The adjourning stage of the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) food program is winding down and even though pressure was put on a few of us to complete the paperwork that others claimed they did we really felt good. It was a real challenge for us but we survived. This bought the team closer together and it enabled all of us to be more helpful and supportive of one another. Even though the high performing didn’t begin until we were in a jam it was really hard to say good bye. We set aside a day and we all went out to dinner after getting word that the audit went very well. Some of the individuals that never worked together became close and starting working on other projects together and relying on each other more. Many of us keep in contact with each other and we provide support to one another no matter at what cost. 

The group of us that worked together was very clear about what had to be one and the time frame involve. There are many closing rituals I have experienced but the one that I feel is important was to address those who worked on the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) project. I let them know that the project we worked on required leadership, planning and cooperation. This project is something we will have to go through again. What we went through was only the beginning. Each of us here played a major part in getting this work done however we will still need to keep abreast and make sure the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)  is being done daily and properly. It is our mission to make sure that continues.

In closing, I look forward to standing here and working with each and every one of you upon successful completion of this project. I would like to extend my thanks to each and every one of you. As a token of my appreciation the center will be giving each of you a paid day off on us. Thank You Again.

While working on my master’s degree I imagine that I will adjourn from the groups, colleagues and instructor just about the same. I don’t know about the paid day off but I will show my appreciation for all the help and support I received from everyone.

Adjourning is an essential stage of teamwork. At this stage I find that it is important to achieve closure for the group doing so on a positive note. Group members may begin to feel a sense of loss and their motivation may decline when the group's work comes to an end. With that being said I find it is very important to recognize the group members for their accomplishments and celebrate the group's overall success. As a director and leader of my team this is important to the future success of all members.

Reference:

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html

Disagreement and Conflict Strategies

As an educator I try my best not to engage in disagreements and conflicts. I do my best to try and resolve all issues no matter how small or large. The one thing I just recently experienced, that comes to mind is a situation one of the Assistant Directors had. One of our parents who is deaf insist on bringing her children to daycare even though the state had informed the center that until she submits in the necessary paperwork the childcare will stop. The assistant told her she could not leave her children and the parent began to sign at her snapping and displaying anger. The parent basically told the assistant you can’t tell me I can’t leave my children. The assistant director explained to her that if she left her children she would have to pay out of pocket. The parent handed her a piece of paper that stated that because she is death the worker could not contact her by phone but by email only and the email address was on the paper. The parent wanted the assistant director to contact the worker and give her the email address so that the worker and parent could properly communicate. 

Non-Verbal Communication

The assistant director told the parent it was not her responsibility to contact them that as the parent she had to handle the situation. Again the parent began to sign and again very angry snapping at the assistant director. When I came in the assistant director mentioned to me what had happened and she seemed to be very upset by it. I simply asked her what was wrong so that she could explain the story from start to finish. She felt that it was not her responsibility to contact the worker that the parent needs to do so.  After she made me aware of the conversation I explained to her the way she handled that was inappropriate and that could have been resolved in such a way that would have made the situation peaceful for both people the parent and the assistant director.

As mentioned in Chapter 8 Managing Conflict Resolution “what starts out as a complaint or an observation can quickly develop into a nasty conflict or even an investigation” (O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 219). My investigation of the situation determined that the matter could have been handled in a different manner. First of all in our business we need to be effective in our communication. Secondly, I look at the fact that this parent is death and so this is the best way for her to communicate with the center and so we need to take the extra step in assisting her. I let the assistant director know that the situation could have been easily resolved by just picking up the phone, contacting the worker and giving her the information (email address) from the parent so that there could be communication between the parent and the worker. That would have taken very little time to do so. 

Friends Resolving Conflicts

One strategy that comes to mind is the cooperative strategy. The assistant director could have proposed a compromise by allowing the children to stay until she was able to communicate with the parent’s worker. This would have been the best outcome for both parties in this relationship. “Strategies that benefit the relationship, serve mutual rather than individual goals, and strive to produce solutions that benefit both parties”( O'Hair & Wiemann,  2012, p. 237). Offering and potentially negotiating alternatives is a useful tactic for cooperative conflict management.  In this situation challenging strategy I would say could have applied to the parent. This promoted the objective of the individual (referring to the parent) who use the challenge rather than the desires of the other person or the relationship.

Communicate

"The dynamic communication techniques of Nonviolent Communication transform potential conflicts into peaceful dialogues. You'll learn simple tools to defuse arguments and create compassionate connections with your family, friends, and other acquaintances” (http://www.cnvc.org/). (Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is based on the principles of nonviolence-- the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart. Nonviolent Communication skills emphasize personal responsibility for our actions and the choices we make when we respond to others, as well as how to contribute to relationships based in cooperation and collaboration. When our communication supports compassionate giving and receiving, happiness replaces violence and grieving!

I find that the needs of both parties play important roles in the long-term success of most relationships, and each deserves respect and consideration. When you can recognize the legitimacy of conflicting needs and become willing to examine them in an environment of compassionate understanding, it opens pathways to creative problem solving, team building, and improved relationships. The way you look, listen, move, and react to another person tells them more about how you’re feeling than words alone ever can.

Developing the ability to understand and use nonverbal communication can help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate challenging situations, and build better relationships at home and work.

To all my colleagues I would like your input regarding any specific problems you may have had and how you learned to be more effective communicators when handling conflicts.

References:

 The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (n.d.). The center for nonviolent communication. Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/

http://www.cnvc.org/learn/nvc-foundations

Similarities & Differences as a Communicator

Effective Communication

As a director in a childcare facility through training's. I am constantly reminded about how we as leaders and educators are to communicate with staff, children and families. As a communicator I find myself and have been told by others that I communicate very effectively.  I find that when I communicate this way it helps me to understand a person better and understand their situation. This enables me to resolve differences while at the same time building trust and respecting the individual. No matter how simple communication may seem when we try to communicate with others or they try to communicate with us things are misunderstood or misinterpreted. As a result conflicts arise and folks become frustrated in personal as well as professional relationships. When I learn effective communication skills, I find that I can better connect with my spouse, children, families, friends and even the staff I work with. In talking with staff and other people that I come in contact with they like the way I communicate. They stressed that it is important that you listen to what a person has to say and not interrupt which is what I do. I am also empathetic and I concern myself with the emotions of others. I also am balanced and I maintain respect and I never engage in aggression.

This did not surprise me at all because over the years I have learned a great deal and as a result I have implemented new things I learn time and time again. Of course, it takes time and effort to develop effective communication skills and become an effective communicator. I find that you must put a great deal of effort and practice into communicating effectively. The more practice you put in, the more instinctive and spontaneous your communication skills will become.

The insights I have learned are that almost everything anyone wants or needs will depend on others to a great degree. This is true for everyone whether they are directors, teachers, managers, or supervisor. Everyone’s success at getting their wants and needs met will depend largely on how effectively they communicate with others. Being able to communicate effectively is the most important skill a person can learn today. It is more than just the words we speak, but it also involves the way the words are spoken as well as the body language that accompanies it. 

The essence of good communication is to impart a message in a way that the perception of the receiver matches that of the transmitter. In other words, the style and method of our communication is always matched to suit those with whom we are communicating. Another insight is that if you are effective in your communication then your staff will know what to do and what is expected of them. When there is miscommunication then your staff will become disengaged because they are not sure or clear about what they should be doing or what their focus is on.

These two insights will inform my professional work and personal life in that it teaches me how to communicate effectively with others and the positive performance or productivity that can increase or result because of communicating effectively with others. In my personal life I learn that this is just as important as my professional work. It should never change and that communication should take place effectively across the board. Keeping the lines of communication is important and must be effective is you want to accomplish things or get the job done.

Effective Communication is the Key

Communicating with people from different groups and cultures.

Albania Culture

                                                       Spanish Culture and traditions

When communicating with people from different groups and cultures I find myself speaking in a clear voice so they can understand what I am saying. This is a result of the limited communication skills that some have. I try to be very patient too because at times when you are communicating with someone who has an accent it may be difficult to understand and so you may ask them to repeat it. Over the years as a result of working with a diverse background of cultures I listen very carefully and because of being around them for so long of a time I begin to pick up on what they are saying. I work with a person from Albania who is limited in her English and even in the Albania language I understand her. At the same time, it is helping me learn a second language.

The same applies to the Spanish families in our care. I have been able to communicate to them in their language even if it is something small and it makes them feel good just to hear you say hello or good morning in their language. There are times when I have to use hand gestures, or facial expressions, to communicate. I have a parent that is death so in order to communicate with her she had to write things down for me to understand her. This required a great deal of patience on my part. To better communicate with her I went out a purchased a book that would help me with basic sign language and “wow” it helped a great deal and the parent is so pleased. I am still learning sign language.

I find that non-verbal communication is often more important than verbal communication, and good for communication with someone who speaks Spanish or Albanian. Paying close attention to their body language, gestures and demeanor can help in communicating with them. Understanding differences in Spanish culture will help you better understand the people. You will appreciate their openness. The more you learn about the language and the culture, the more you will enjoy the time and communication you have with them. I find an even better way to understand Latin culture is to learn their language Spanish.

The strategies I use in dealing with a death person is to first be patient, be positive and make sure I have plenty of paper and pencils. Another thing that works also is lip-reading. I find it very important to treat them with respect. I have even gone as far as learning some phrases in Albanian.

Overall effective communication is vital for every organization. Communication is required for all business workers in every industry in order to carry out their tasks and duties, and is essential for obtaining the best performance. Being an effective communicator requires effort, observation and good verbal and nonverbal strategies.

Reference:

O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

What I have learned about Communication Skills.

                                   Law and Order Special Victims Unit

The show I watched was Law and Order Special Victims Unit with the sound turned off. The characters in the show to me are based on the fact that they have a good working relationship (that is the detectives). I say this because as they were discussing the case there was a great deal of eye to eye contact (in intervals), body language, gestures, and voice tone from all parties. Based on their feelings and expressions when dealing with the criminals and trying to get to the bottom of the case you could see the frustration in their faces. The criminals in the movie avoided making any type of eye contact with the detectives and they kept blinking their eyes which to me says in some cases that they were not being honest about what they was saying and they kept looking down. 

Their tone of voice with each other showed enthusiasm because they caught what they thought was the person guilty of committing that horrible crime. That enthusiasm soon turned into anger when the criminal denied committing the crime. I watched the show again (I taped it) and my assumptions about the characters was correct. The only thing that was incorrect was the constant blinking of the eye by one of the criminals. The blinking is a result of a medical condition. If I had been watching a show I know a more well it is a possibility that my assumptions would have been more correct. It’s hard to say, one never knows for sure.

One thing I learned is that my assumptions regarding communication may not always be what I think it is. For example, the eye contact can be considered as intimidating or confrontational so again you can’t assume it could be totally different. With that being said I need to look for other cues. What this showed me is that nonverbal signals can be misread. It is important that I pay careful attention to verbal as well as nonverbal communication with others. This will help me improve my communication skills and make them more effective. We can always learn something new.

Competent Communication

All Communication must be Effective

The one person that I feel demonstrates competent communication is my instructor who conducts training at our center for the staff. Her communication skills in my book are very effective as well as professional. When conducting trainings she maintains eye contact with all in the class and she is open minded. I like that fact that when you want to speak she listens and is focused on every word that is coming from your mouth. Even if she doesn’t agree with what you are saying her response shows that she appreciates and respects what you are saying. I have learned a great deal from her as a result. For one thing I have learned how to demonstrate empathy from her by trying to understand a situations from someone else’s perspective. She has the ability to connect and understand others and I want to be able to do the same. In one of the training classes two teachers had conflicting views on how to communicate with a parent whose child displays behavior that is very challenging. To be honest with you they both were wrong in how to communicate the information to the parent. Rather than say no you’re both wrong or judging them she turned that situation into a learning experience. She demonstrated how to effectively communicate the information to the parent. The entire class was blown away because they saw how it could be done and done in a way that is effective as well as professional. The demonstration itself was done in a way where the parent would not feel upset or discouraged. We all know that parents do not want to hear that their child has behavior issues. I know her very well and I see how she manages her feelings and this is another thing I have learned from her.

The ability to communicate effectively can help us in attracting new client in the facility, forge new relationships with parents and teachers. We work with children each and every day so as educators we need to be effective in our communication with children. Having effective communication skills means more than just knowing how to talk. Children often need guidance in learning how to interact with one another when speaking. Just like she used role playing we too can use role-playing to teach children how to communicate with peers and adults. It's a fun and engaging way for children to learn. Caregivers have the important role of helping people with a multitude of tasks. Being able to communicate well with each person to whom you provide care is critical for ensuring that they get the care that they need. As a caregiver be sure to find out whether there are any special communication needs for each of your families. Professionalism should be a top of our list as we strive to provide great communication with each and every parent.

 Communication with children must be effective.

Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

Working with children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds poses special challenges to early childhood educators. In order for me to meet the needs of all members of the school community, it is my hope that all educators make an effort to ensure that the school system as a whole and each of its components including individual classrooms strives to achieve cultural competence. The increase in racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in American schools is reflected in many early childhood classrooms. These classrooms also are receiving increased numbers of children with disabilities or developmental delays. The diverse composition of early childhood classrooms brings many challenges as well as many opportunities to educators. With knowledge of effective practices, and with the support of administrators, colleagues, families, and the local and global community, teachers can create classrooms that are responsive to the diverse needs of all children.

• One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length).

The dimensions of diversity include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status. While diversity itself is not a value laden term, the way that people react to diversity is driven by values, attitudes, beliefs, and so on. Full acceptance of diversity is a major principle of social justice.  My goal is to raise the achievement of all students while narrowing the gaps between the highest- and lowest-performing students; and eliminating the racial predictability of which student groups occupy the highest and lowest achievement categories. Recognizing that equality and equity are not the same thing, multicultural education attempts to offer all students an equitable educational opportunity, while at the same time, encouraging students to critique society in the interest of social justice.

• A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues for their support during this class. I wish all of you much love and support as you continue your endeavors in your Master’s Degree Program. I wish you all the best and thanks for your support.

 

Welcoming Families From Around the World

• The name of “your” family’s country of origin

The country of origin is Albania. Albanians are a native Balkan people who live in Southern Europe. They call themselves Shqiptare. Albanians live in ethnically compact settlements in large areas, primarily in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia, but also in Montenegro and Greece. Albanian culture is unique and diverse. There are two cultural groups in Albanian territories: the Ghegs and Tosks. Ghegs live in the north part while Tosks live in the south part. Although there are some differences between the two cultural groups, they keep a strong national identity and ethnic culture. I chose Albania because we have several staff members who are employed at my center and at the beginning they speak limited English. When it comes to working with children they are very nurturing and caring. They treat them like they are their very own.

• At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1.   In order to make a child from Albania feel welcomed we make a point of researching the culture so that we can incorporate their culture and beliefs and food into the program. For example, one of the largest holidays we celebrate is the pagan Summer Festival. It is celebrated on March 14 and it is intended to commemorate the end of winter, the rebirth of nature and a rejuvenation of spirit amongst the Albanians. 

2. Provide interpreters in the school setting to facilitate communication between parents of immigrant origin and their child's school.

3. Games that Albanians like is another way of being culturally responsive. We play hide and seek with the children. This is one of Albanian’s most popular children’s game. All Albanian children play this game at least every second day. Game rules are very simple. Children gather around a landmark, such a tree or a wall. One of them will be chosen to close eyes and count while others players hide. He or she will be called it When finishing counting it will call out “Ready or not here I come” and will go to search and look for other players. While it is searching, other children try to run to home base; therefore it should be very careful. It will try to find and touch the hidden and running players before they reach the home base. The first player to be touched will be it in the next round. 

4. We greet the parents with a hug and a kiss.

5. We also learn how to say hi, good morning, good evening, how are you doing, good bye, have a good day and other phrases in their home language. We greet them with a smile, have  a happy face in an appropriate situation, shake hands firmly and thank them for meeting and discussing things with us.

6. We add traditional foods from Albania to our menus.

• A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

We are culturally responsive to all cultures in our center. With that being said when you implement practices to make families from different cultures feel welcome they really appreciate it. You make them feel like they are family and they feel like they truly belong. Just this week we had an Asian child start who did not speak English. We asked dad to give us a list of words that we could learn in their language so that we could communicate with her in her native language. I wish you could have seen the smile on his face and he just kept saying thank you and shaking my hand. So doing some of these things in my opinion will most certainly benefit us and the families.

                                                              Albania Food

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

One memory I have of witnessing prejudice is when I was in a restaurant and a mixed couple was waiting for quite sometime to be waited on. Many people were coming in the restaurant to be seated and also got their meals ahead of them. The couple asked to see the manager and he was very apologetic. The waiter made it clear that he did not want to wait on them. He was immediately fired and the manager saw to it that not only did they get their meal but it was on the house and they was invited back.

This situation diminished equity in that the couple because they was mixed were treated differently and discriminated against. They were viewed as being different because of the color of their skin. They were not treated fairly.

 The feelings this situation bought up was that my husband and I experienced a situation of prejudice/discrimination because of the color of our skin and the kind of car we was driving. We was singled out because I guess we are not supposed to drive a nice car if so we must be involved in some illegal activity. It was a horrible experience and one I would never want anyone to go through. After it was all over they was so apologetic not that the made the situation better. We were both very disturbed by the incident. We was driving through a small town headed to Syracuse after leaving a naval base in Plattsburgh. As we drove through the town we could see why we was singled out. That too was indeed racial profiling. Never Again.

I would say in both cases is to change the thinking and mentality of folks, the waiter, and the police. People need to learn that every African American is not a criminal. Some of us work and have very good jobs that put us in a good position. There are a lot of people out there we need to change in order to make things better. Sad to say even today bias, prejudice, oppression and discrimination still exist.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

One example of microaggression that I have detected was when I walked into a Nordstrom department store while visiting family in another state. I was followed around the store and it did not sit right with me. I asked the young lady if there was a problem and she said no. It was obvious to me that because of the color of my skin and if you could see the area maybe she thought I was going to steal something. I was beside myself so I left the store. When I met up with the rest of my family I told them what happened and they are white. We later went back to the store but this time we were all together. We this same lady saw me with them her whole demeanor changed. She asked if she could help us and that if we needed something just let her know. That did not happen when I went in the store the first time. She was so busy watching me that if somebody was trying to take something she would have never noticed. Even though I came back into the store with my family we did not purchase anything. We did it just to see what would happen. On another occasion a white lady clutched her purse as we walked by. On both occasions it made me feel that because of the color of my skin I was treated or dealt with differently. It was very upsetting but I held my head up high.

My perceptions on the effects of discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping people are that they can be very hurtful. Making assumptions about an individuals because of the color of their skin can have a detrimental effect on them. Labeling people in a negative manner has a lasting detrimental impact on those who experience the prejudice. I have found that people are more likely to be aggressive after they’ve faced prejudice in a given situation. They are more likely to exhibit a lack of self-control. They have trouble making good, rational decisions. Because of what I have experienced I am very conscious of these situations and I make sure I don’t do or say anything that would affect another person regardless of their race, gender, nationality etc. We are all equal in my eyes.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Trinidad Culture
                         

In speaking with one of my neighbors who is from Trinidad she defines her culture and diversity as being very unique. Th culture in Trinidad is heavily based on ethnicity, religion, and history. Trinidad has a number of cultural traditions that have been preserved and cross-pollinated by generations of migrants from all over the world, all in one small island. Trinidad is vibrant and very creative. The music stems from classical and fold of Europe, Africa and India, combining them in original ways or adding a creole touch to create new forms that are distinctly Trinidadian. The culture of Trinidad is focused on music and carnival. The music is calypso, soca and steel-pan. Their style of dress is very colorful and the official language is English even though some speak Kweyol. From work to school and from entertainment to family, there is no single way of life in Trinidad. Like the culture, the way of life is diverse and quite individual. 

Some of the foods inn Trinidad are plantains, pineapples, sweet potatoes, maize (corn), cassava (yucca), mangoes, papaya, bananas, coconuts, beans, and numerous other foods. As far as their religion is concerned some in Trinidad are Roman Catholic, some Protestant, and others Hindi, Muslim and other Christian groups. As a result of being captured by the British slave trade brought many Africans to work on the island's plantations. When slavery was abolished in 1834, the Portuguese laborers from the island of Madeira began arriving. As a result cultural diversity was broadened on when the laborers were brought from India to work on the plantations this brought about many religious customs.

                                     Vietnamese Culture

I had the opportunity to interview the young lady from the nail salon I deal with. She is from Vietnam. In Vietnam modesty and humility are emphasized in the culture of the Vietnamese and deeply ingrained into their natural behavior. In the Vietnamese culture, bragging is often criticized and avoided. The Vietnamese culture often declines to accept praise by humbly claiming that he/she does not warrant such esteem. They do not demonstrate their knowledge, skills, or possessions without being asked to do so. Many of the Vietnamese women never sip alcohol and shy away from alcoholic beverages when offered to them. Vietnamese women who drinking are despised in their society. 

Many customs are rooted in both the Confucian respect for education, family and elders, and the Taoist desire to avoid conflict. Vietnamese tend to be very polite and guarded. The family structure in Vietnam is an extended one, unlike the typical family in the United States, which normally consists of the father, mother, and unmarried children. Their families are composed of the parents, all children, and their in-laws, the grandparents, the great-grandparents, and also in some cases, uncle, aunts and their spouses, cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all in-laws. 

The living arrangements for the family is a house which may not accommodate everybody. The availability of living space determines the size of the family living together. But typically, one finds grandparents, father, mother, children, and grandchildren living under the same roof. Although not all members of the extended family are housed together, they tend to cluster around a certain area such as a village, small town, or places of easy access in large cities.

Vietnam's official language, is a tonal language that can be compared to Cambodia's official language, Khmer. There are other languages spoken as well such as Chinese, Khmer, Cham and other languages. Vietnamese avoid public displays of affection with a member of the opposite sex, they don’t stand with their hands on their hips, and they don’t cross arms on your chest, but they pass items with both hands. Rice is the dietary staple which most people eat three meals a day.

Vietnamese often accompany these main dishes with leafy vegetables and small bowls of salty sauces in which they dip their food. Popular dishes include sautéed vegetables, tofu, and a seafood-based broth with vegetables called canh, and a variety of pork, fish, or meat dishes. The Mahayana tradition of the Buddhism religion is dominant in Vietnam.

                                           Italian Culture

The third person I interviewed was my boss who is Italian. Family is very important for Italians. The family is the center of the social structure and provides a stabilizing influence for its members. Italians are famous for their art, culture, food, wine, lifestyle, theater, music, design and of course style.  Clothing in Italy is also very important and Italians will judge each other on clothing, shoes and accessories often within seconds of meeting one another. Clothing is often used to judge social status, education level and your family’s background. In terms of religion, Italians are predominantly Christian and belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Italian food is an important part of Italian life and includes pasta, salami, pizza and ice cream, olives, pesto and Sicilian Caponata as well as fresh fish, wine and meat. Italy is a land that is rich in culture, history and beauty.

My thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity has influenced my own thinking about these topics in that culture and diversity needs to be accepted, valued and respected. In addition there is a great deal I can learn from different cultures. Since I like to cook I have some new recipes from the three individuals I spoke with. I cooked Lasagna Italian style and I must say it is better than my recipe. This just gives you an idea of how much you can learn from other cultures an how important diversity is.

References:

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2008). Diversity in Early Care and Education (5th ed., pp. 8–13). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.

Ngo, B. (2008). Beyond "culture clash": Understanding of immigrant experiences. Theory into Practice, 47(1), 4–11.

My Family Culture

Pictures of Family Cultures

• A description of the three items you would choose

I would take my Bible, my ipod, and pictures of family and friends

• How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

I would take my Bible because it contains the instruction I need for everyday living. This is the most important thing I need no matter what country I may be in. It is something that can unite me with any other culture since all cultures have access to the Bible.

I would take my ipod because music is universal. I enjoy music and it relaxes me. It is something I can also share with other cultures.

Having pictures of my family and friends will remind me of better times and will help me to work toward the goal of making the best of the situation for those family members that remain with me. 

• Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you

 Well since I have already lost all of my material possessions I actually would not really be affected much more than I have been. I would not feel any real difference. My main focus would be to obtain the things I really need – food, clothing and shelter.  

• Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise.

I have not really gained any additional insights regarding myself because mentally I am already prepared for this type of situation. Of course, until a person’s life is actually changed in such a drastic way, the reality of what it will be like is unknown. Even so I have no real ties to material possessions and my main concern would be for my safety and that of my family and friends. Cultural differences are not a real issue for me because I already practice diversity in my life. I am surrounded by people of many cultures and I have an understanding as well as a respect for the many differences we have. Yet these differences have in no way kept real friendships from developing.

Reference:       

Laureate Education (Producer). (2011). Family cultures: Dynamic interactions [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Blog Assignment: When I Think of Research...

Doing Early Childhood Research

As a result of taking this course I have gained a great deal of insights. I have learned that when it comes to research it is a tool that we need to learn how to use and use in the right way. Researching entails talking do different ones, collecting data, accessing the data, the ethical aspects of research and more. I also learned that even though research can be time consuming there are many approaches to research and it most certainly have its advantages.

My ideas about the nature o research have changed it that I now see the value and importance of research in the field of early childhood education. Research helps me to gain the knowledge I need in the field of early childhood education and to develop and evaluate the services being offered today. I have found it necessary to continue to do research o my own as it relates to my field and others for that matter.

Planning, designing and conducting research in early childhood takes time. If I am careful in my planning, designing and conducting research then this will help me to achieve my goal. I learned in this class that it was be well laid out.

One of the challenges I encountered was finding the time to do the research. I had to force myself to make the time and put other things to the side so as to accomplish was I needed to. Another was finding the resources I needed as well. Again I made a point to set aside time so that I could accomplish my work thoroughly and it be laid out in a way that was appropriate. I found that I had to focus on what was important and the other things came secondary.

My perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified in that I must continue to learn and do research and make sure my research is reliable if I am going to keep abreast with the changes in the field of early childhood education.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support. I have learned a great deal from each and every one of you. I wish all of you much success as you continue your studies.

Research Around the World

"Early Childhood Australia is a national peak non-government, non-profit organization that advocates for the best interests of young children. Early Childhood Australia has a long-standing reputation as a quality-assured knowledge broker, supported by its ethical advertising standards".

One of the current international research topics is - "The Research in Practice Series. The Research in Practice Series is a practical, easy to read resource, offering effective new approaches for those challenging issues which arise in the care and education of young children. Early Childhood Australia’s Research in Practice Series is an essential resource for those involved in the early childhood field. The books are idea-rich and to the point. The Research in Practice Series focuses on the practical, ‘hands-on’ aspects of early childhood – making them ideally suited to early childhood workers".

Other research topics are baby and toddler sleeping to help parents and caregivers in understanding and dealing with sleeping patterns of young children, and common sleeping problems that may rise with babies and toddlers. Another topic is: Child health and childhood obesity. Child health and childhood obesity are two related aspects of early childhood care and education that have been the focus of a lot of attention recently.There are many issues which impact on the health and well-being of young children.

Poor eating habits, lack of understanding of or access to food/nutrition information, and lack of fitness and physical exercise are all factors which contribute to what is becoming known as the obesity epidemic. While these are some of the risk factors, there are many simple and effective ways to prevent childhood obesity and encourage a healthy lifestyle in young children.

As I  explored this website I found that there was a great deal of healthful information that I found to be very interesting. One in particular is the fight against cyber bullying and how important it is that this starts early. I found this to be interesting because this is an issue that is so common today and children are dying as a result. Even though the internet can be a wonderful thing it can also facilitate anonymous forms of electronic aggression. Cyber bullies send very nasty messages to a individuals email account, they most remarks in forums that are not at all pleasant, and they can make life very miserable for the person they are bullying. Cyber bullying is very prevalent among children and there are many adults who engage in the same type of behavior. Dealing with cyber bullies is not an easy thing to do but it can be done. I found this information to be helpful because I know of someone who is experiencing cyber bullying and this information would be of great benefit to her. In addition I hope it will ease the stress and anxiety she is experiencing.

Reference:

Early Childhood Australia (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Baby and Toddler Sleeping (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/resource_themes/baby_and_toddler_sleeping.html

Child health and Childhood Obesity, (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/resource_themes/child_health_and_childhood_obesity.html

Routines and Rituals, (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/everyday_learning_and_play/routines_and_rituals/routines_and_rituals.html

Research that Benefits Children and Families-Uplifting Stories

Bilingual Education

The topic that would make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families is bilingual education. Bilingual education is grounded in common sense, experience, and research. Common sense says that children will not learn academic subject material if they can't understand the language of instruction. Experience documents that, students from minority-language backgrounds have higher dropout rates and lower achievement scores. Research on bilingual education and in working in a bilingual setting has shown me some of the positive contributions. One thing would be that a child’s first language skills must become well developed to ensure that their academic and linguistic performance in the second language is maximized. A child’s growth in their second language will depend upon a well-developed first language. In addition, a child must attain a certain level of proficiency in both the native and second language in order for the beneficial aspects of bilingualism to accrue.

When we as educators provide children quality education in their primary language, we give them two things: knowledge and literacy. The knowledge that children get through their first language helps make the English they hear and read more comprehensible. Literacy developed in the primary language  transfers to the second language. Spanish-speaking kids, bilingual education will help them adapt better and faster to the curriculum and the culture, and for English-speaking children, it will develop cognitive flexibility among many other benefits. I personally advocate for bilingual education every chance I can personally attest to the fact that their are benefits.

In order to be successful teachers will need the following resources visuals, charts, establishing a link between home and school, technology, manipulative, books to employ varied reading. Meeting the needs of the students in today’s classrooms requires teachers to modify their teaching strategies by incorporating second language acquisition techniques. By employing these strategies in their classrooms, teachers will begin to make a positive impact in meeting the needs of their diverse students.

References:

Baker, Colin., (1995). A Parents' and Teachers Guide to Bilingualism. Clevedon, Eng,; Multilangual Matters.

Baker, Colin, (1996). Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 2nd edition, Clevedon, Eng.; Multilingual Matters

Cummins, James.,(1979). Linguistic Interdependence and the Educational Development of Bilingual Children. Review of Educational Research 49:222-251