Blog Assignment: Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

 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? 

In reflection to the aspects of culture and diversity, along with hard and soft cultural diversity that I have studied in this course and how it relates to social identities based on their personal experience and characteristic’s inherent as a tradition involving the dominant cultures empowerment referring to the spiritual, political, social, or economic expectations and individuals participation involving their ethnic background and ethnicity. I learned each individual within their own life environment and familyculture where similar but different depending on their tradition of who, what, where, when, and how things are done within a group of people during special events pertaining to beliefs, values and morals involving their personal experience within their lives. Furthermore, I learned that the aspects of their lives in which their inherent consisted of race, religion, class, language, age and gender relating to their own personal experience to participate and adapt to the changes in which their inherent from their ancestors was different from other individuals characteristic’s and perspectives in which they live their lives base of traditions within their family cultures life style.
 Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

 For example, An Hispanic women age 61 years old shared her personal definition of cultural and diversity as things that going on in the world today in celebration of the Battle of Flowers Fiesta parade, the Alamo and African Americans participation Black History Month. Involving religion relating to freedom speeches, music, soul food, singing and dancing to music relating to their family culture and beliefs. Furthermore, the Hispanic celebrates in the fifth of May in which is called in Spanish and in English it is called May the fifth in the United States and in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla. Also, in English the holiday is called The Day of the Battle of Puebla. Cino de Mayo is a tradition to cook Mexican foods, colorful clothes, Mexican music, dancing and songs in celebration of their inherence from their culture ethnicity. For instance, her perspective of what diversity was the different things she do for instance swimming, reading books hunting. Another example; given by an African American male stated his definition of culture to share beliefs, heritage, and his perspective of diversity was to have different lifestyles consisting of different groups of people involved in Hip Hop culture. For instance, his perspective on relating to diversity consisted of different ethnic groups participating in the same events such as the workforce and holiday events. 

Furthermore, a young black male age 19 years old definition of culture was passing on a tradition relating to Hispanic culture, celebrating Cino de Mayo and African American people celebrating a black holiday that is in relationship to African vibe called Kwanza. For example; his definition of diversity consisted of a group of people participating in a Civil Right Movement were a group of people come together. For instance like the Freedom Riders.

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

The ways my thinking about other people’s definitions of culture just proves to me how the complex culture really is when relating to other individuals perspectives and definitions of what they think culture mean. However, I feel culture is about everything we do that involves our lifestyles and how we relate to traditions, beliefs and everyday environment pertaining to our lives with other ethnic cultures involving a diversity consisting groups of people values and morals and how that act upon what they believe.

Blog: My Family Culture

                                              My Family Culture

    The three items I’d decided to choose holds a sentimental value and each represent my family culture. It will consist of a family portrait, bible and a hand radio.To explain to others what each of these items means to me I will begin describing My family portrait because it is a sentimental value to me and provides positive memories of what I shared with my family. Also, I can reflect back on how strong our family culture was and having a positive relationship we share together. The bible was a family tradition that will help me to stay motivated and supported about what I believe. Which is consisting of values and morals as a person's standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for me to do in life. Having the bible is something I inherited as a child from my ancestors who read the bible to me and help me to understand about what the values and morals of life was all about. For instance, my family and I had to have a bible to attend church for bible study, Vocational bible school, Sunday school, and morning and evening services. Furthermore, the radio will help me to remember our family tradition, such as, when we listen to music and dance together in celebration of holidays or birthdays. Spending time together and having fun with my family members and friends. These items as a whole provide some of the best memories money can’t buy. Also, the radio will help me to keep updated with the latest news and current events of what’s going on within the world. In other words, the radio is another form of an open line of communication and understanding which can have connection to all diversities within the world. For instance, the radio will provide me with information about current issues relating to public affairs or public assistance and entertainment from different cultural environments.

     

My feelings would be hurt upon arrival if I was told I could only keep one personal item and give up the other two items I brought with me, because as I mention before these three items hold a sentimental value. For instance, I would choose to keep my family portrait because I can always reflect back to the happy memories we shared by looking at the picture of my family. Why? It tells about a positive story of who, what, where, and why we shared this precious memory together as a family. However, I will feel lost without my bible because it helps me to stay focus on reality, my beliefs, values and morals. Why? Because reading the bible gives me support and respect to develop a strong sense of self concept about myself and others in society.

The insights I gained about myself is knowing the important role my family culture plays into my life. Also, the diversity and cultural differences in general are as much as a part of my life, because without being a part of a diversity within my society, I can’t learn to grow within self or learn from other individual’s culture differences.

Week 8- Blog Assignment: When I Think of Research...

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

When I think of research I think about how much I learned about insights of research taken from this course and how much I can share with others. Who are also interested in learning about all the multiples of theories, methods, principles, practices, statistics, data, contexts, strategies, plans, vital statistics, variables are measure collecting data by researcher’s and professionals. Also, individuals who want to expand or gain knowledge within social sciences, philosophy and perspectives of ideas, data, and opinions of participants and researcher’s. Therefore, I can other individuals understand about the independent or dependent variables by researchers who are combined within communication and collaboration from different points of views within experiments. In addition, observations or risks concerning most children and families within their communities.
I learned to focus on the main topic about what it is the truth and gain knowledge when evaluating or expressing a concern, interest, about an object or subject. Also, it is good to narrow the study down to obtain a clear valid point and be reflexive, so you can help researchers and participants to address concerns about what is written and presented. According to the text, "power relations thinking about data as a gift from participants is important in rethinking power relations between researchers and participants, and significant part of reflexive." Naughton,Rolfe,Sirai-Blatchford p.187 par.1(210) In addition, “there is a written presentation aspects of the study based on truth pertaining to equity, fairness and social justices. In other words, it’s how the ontologies and epistemologies affected the design and process outcomes you must have self-reflexive in analyzing research.” Naughton,Rolfe,Sirai-Blatchford p.187 par.1(210) Therefore, give consideration to the participants you have to interview and the data will be collected relating to the having freedom of choice when answering questions or a problem within an investigation to apply data and how it will be accomplished. For instance, the approach is about the philosophy of what counts as knowledge and truth. In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed? The ways my ideas about the nature of doing research changed because, I realize the importance of examining what is relevant. Providing a well-designed research is to develop and analyze what is relevant and what isn't relevant based on what is fair and how fairness is used to eliminate elite bias in the education field. In addition, it’s about building a relationship between the researcher and the participants. Along with equity and social justice should be always considered from the beginning of the research or observation to the end. Therefore, in relation to the children and their families who may or may not have access to resources and are eligible to receive the resources in the early childhood field. I learned as a professional you have to be passionate, knowledgeable and have a good understanding of early child development. Also, learn about cultural diversities and ethnic backgrounds within their daily lives and the environment when interacting and examining positive or negative outcomes. Furthermore, keep a positive open mind and have consideration for other individuals equal and civil rights upon to inform consist relating to ethical contexts. According to, it is defined as “the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, opinions and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed without being biased to the questions or answers applied.” What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn? The lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood, is I learned is to be objective when exploring the object or participants in an observation. That I should make them feel welcome and provide a comfortable environment that is interesting in conducting research to the young children and their families. For example, ensuring honesty, respect and supporting to the differences of cultural diversities, disabilities and dual learners of all ethnic backgrounds to met their individual needs. Therefore, when interviewing and demonstrating the short term longitudinal research design to examine the hypothesis of individual’s personal needs to be able to have access of gaining an equal opportunity. In the educational field observation or investigation within any research is consisting of children and their families by a researcher's point of view or subject. They should acknowledge other’s knowledge, ideas,and opinions. In addition, exploration of creativity or suggestions of their own personal experience within the environment of all aspects when interviewing or researching individual children and families. In addition, “research it includes an ontological and epistemological positions, initial decisions about the research design, formulation of planning of hypotheses or research questions, consideration of variables, selection of participants, analyses, interpretation and reporting of data, Naughton, Rolfe, Sirai-Blatchford p.187 parg..3 (2010) Also, it is another version of qualitative research when collecting accurate evidence during a study must be demonstrated that the analysis qualitative data from the field in a similar way. Naughton, Rolfe, Sirai-Blatchford p.187 parg3 (2010) According to, research It allows "valid interpretations of what study of the field consist of when analyzing them using integrity to ensure an accurate reflection is being discourse is a close correspondence between the facts stored provide evidence from the students that is in relation to triangulation to indicate that two methods are used in a study in order to check the results are accurate based on evidence provide with measurement of study conducted." Naughton, Rolfe, S.A. Blatchford, pg. 162, par. 1 (2010) What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them? The challenges, learning clearly about how to apply the many variables within the context by having to narrow the data presented in writing. Also, I didn't want to make anyone feel powerless when participating in reading or analyzing my experiment that will affect their emotions. For instance, to make ensure emotion perspective are taken into account when processing data about the study. In order not to cause any harm or violate upon their civil rights. For example, quantitative and qualitative research highlights the bias inherent based on criticism within the paradigms themselves. However, the choices of doing research paradigms reflect our beliefs and values about the world in which we live and the world in which we want to live. Therefore, providing an appropriate approach consisting of understanding of equity involves notions of justice and fairness in which set limitations. When interpreting what questions to ask or say to avoid being biased. Therefore, to avoid any aspects of being biased within my study of this course I had to learn how to be knowledge about how to apply accurate data, acknowledge and respect cultural diversity and ethnic backgrounds. Also, individual’s emotions will be taken into consideration of their perspectives.
furthermore, along, with their points of view would be taken into account when processing data about my study in order not to cause any harm or violation upon the participants civil rights. For example, quantitative and qualitative research highlights the bias inherent based on criticism within the paradigms themselves. According to, research “It is important to be vigilant about how cultural, socio-economic, racial and ethnic differences can be classed as deficits.”Naughton,Rolfe,Sirai-Blatchford p.185 par.1(210) For instance, when interpreting what questions to ask or say to avoid being bias to were the participants clearly understand what is taken place in the observation. What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

The ways my perceptions of early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course is to be more aware of what to present within an interview or experiment. Also, don’t believe every thing I read pertaining to individual researchers, or data within the context until I become knowledgeable of the object or subject aspect apply in full detail. Furthermore, to have an open line of communication, understanding and knowledge about the investigation or results of different ethical contexts about high quality educational so others and myself can benefit. Gain knowledge when being deductive and in deductive from independent or dependent variables on one another personal experiences in life in circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, opinions. In terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed without being bias to the questions or answers applied. For instance, to acknowledge individuals freedom to express their ideas, opinions, beliefs and values to ensure providing the importance of age appropriate curriculum, activities, guidelines, standards procedures materials, equipment, time, space and situation or concerns within the individual child environment. To make accurate decisions about accommodating education access of high quality education resources are to integrate among young children and their families and other professionals within their communities. According to, Analysis and design “Focusing on the individual child or family locates the problem with the individual, rather than structural factors in society.” Naughton,Rolfe,Sirai-Blatchford p.184 par.2(210)

Week 5- Blog Assignment: Research Around the World

What are some of the current international research topics?

·         Professional partnership in children’s services: Working together for children

·         Learning positive behavior through educator-child relationship

·         The Early Years Learning Framework: Essential reading for the National Quality Standard

·         Nurturing the spiritual child: Compassion, connection and a sense of self

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

The (ECA) Early Childhood Australia role is to strive for quality outcomes by working to build a strong foundation using effective updated educational resources materials and activities. Furthermore, the ECA will accommodate all culture and ethnic differences by supporting different meanings and actions for all individuals to have and share different roles in different places and situations in order to process of making meaning of their values.

According to, ECA values Statements “Leadership-We stand out as proactive champions for young children. We provide an independent focus and voice for advocacy, understanding, energy and change for ECA members, for others in the early childhood sector and for interested people in the wider community.

 Excellence-We strive for high standards in all that we do. In all aspects of our ECA work we are ethical, professional, well-informed, thorough, articulate and creative. We want to be outstanding in our work.

 Respect-We have regard for people and treat them well in all our interactions both within and outside ECA. We recognize the dignity and rights of all and we make time to listen, to be courteous, and to respond. Our respect for children, for the people who work with them and for ourselves requires this, and also requires that we work to high standards in all areas.

 Courage-We are brave in our work. We think carefully about infants and children in our society and the impacts of situations and events on them. We speak out and take actions about these without fear or favor. We support one another in this. ECA Value Statements – September 2010 (pages 1-2)

   

 Therefore, the ECA vision is to gain an solid relationship and partnerships in connection with the early childhood education and child care services for the young children by being an advocate and champion for quality outcomes endorse by the governance and the guidelines. In which they use discussion, interpretation and expansion and welcome feedback from all members and strategic directions daily work to gain the rights of the Infants and young children when focusing on their well-being.

According to, Early Childhood Australia (ECA) “The rights of Infants and young children are citizens with the same rights as everyone in our society and should have access to its protections and benefits to help them have the best possible start in life. The well-being of young children is Early Childhood Australia’s prime focus. “In addition, Early Childhood Australia has a particular focus on infants and young children in early childhood education and care services, but we also address other significant issues of children’s rights and well-being.”  According to, ECA “ They particularly recognize the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families acknowledging past and current injustices and realities around Australia, and we challenge ourselves to work for the true Reconciliation.” ECA Value Statements – September 2010 (pages 1-2)

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

The Research in Practice Series is a practical, easy to read resources that offer a wide variety of books including different topics and hands on activities in connection to building new ideas that will enrich young children cognitive skills and gain their interest in literacy. Used by workers consisting of new approaches for children and their families who are facing issues or challenges involving child care services and in the early childhood field. In addition, Educational professionals can become a member of “The Early Years Learning Framework: Essential reading for the National Quality Standard is new for educators to show evidence of their practice and philosophies.

 Reference:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Blog Assignment: Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

This story provides a positive example of the effects of research on children and families who have been inspired by real life obstacles and challenges in life. Also, it pertains to resilience which is considering turning a bad situation into a good situation by learning how to cope with challenges and developing the ability. In addition, knowledge on how to gain perspectives as we face our own challenges in life. For instance,resilience something we all experience in life at one time or another. Therefore, I feel hearing about the positive effects by research can help others to become strong, healthy, or successful again by learning from other mistakes and accomplishments. Learning from our own mistakes and accomplishments during our personal life experiences. This is a story about a 13 year old girl name Marilyn DeAlba whom religion was Catholic and had a baby boy name Chris and he was born with cerebral palsy,which resulted in her son's developing torticollis, in which affects his neck and muscle weakness on the right side of his body. Doctors originally doubted he would survive at all. Marilyn parents were not proud of her and her family members and friends were devastated when they found out she was pregnant and didn’t want to talk to her until after she had the baby. Also, Marliyn had a very complicated labor, the baby got stuck in the birth canal. Three times they had to use Vacuum suction before the hospital staff decided to do an emergency Caesarean section to delivery. He stop breathing twice, once for 12 minutes and his heart stop beating. However, the doctor and nurses were able to revive him. Also, the baby started having epileptic seizures. Liquid went to his brain. She was told he wasn't going to make it or that he would be in a wheelchair or not be able to talk or walk. I was told he was mentally disabled. Therefore, after she had the baby her parents provided a room downstairs for her and the baby. However, she became very unhappy and depressed and begin to go through anxiety attacks, and a lot of stress, being so young. Also, she became withdrawn, so she didn’t pay attention to her peers, even though they may have judged her for keeping the baby. Marilyn had lied to her baby's father and told him at the time she was 16 years old. He found out and a banded her and the baby. Furthermore, considering all the odds were against her, she didn’t give up on her son,she was determine to prove everyone wrong, she finish summer school by getting up at 4 a.m. in the morning making preparation for her son. Last but not least she graduated from an alternative high in the Mt. Diablo school district. Marilyn received three scholarships to complete college and raised her son Chris through sun and rain," she said proudly. Furthermore, she continues to save her money to get a place for her son and herself According to research, she said "I'm happy that I did it. There were times when I had so much doubt in my mind. But, school felt like my extended family." Well-spoken and poised, DeAlba became one of Crossroads' young mothers who traveled to other high schools, sharing her experience and telling girls to protect themselves against pregnancy. DeAlba graduated after two-and-a-half years with a grade-point average of about 3.8, she said. As she prepares to start her first full college semester next week, DeAlba does not feel sorry for herself or dwell on the life she could have had. Instead, she said her pregnancy was a challenge from God and she's focused on what's ahead. "My motivation was my son," she said. "He's my shining armor. I need him and he needs me. He is my future." According to, “Statistics show that most girls in DeAlba's condition won't finish high school, let alone middle school -- where DeAlba was in seventh grade at Martinez Junior High when she got pregnant.”

References:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15745086?nclick_check=1

Blog Assignment: Your Personal Research Journey

Accommodating All Children in the Early Childhood Classroom

I choose this topic for the simulation because it’s very important for teachers to meet the individual needs of every child by creating or designing an inclusive space within their environment. Also, it’s necessary to gain their interest in learning education skills in order to cope with everyday domestic skills to survive. Also, it’s a continuation of accommodations that are needed for appropriate learning growth and development based on cognitive,social and emotional and physical domains. While integrating children with disabilities to collaborate so they will met their individual needs within their environment.

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My personal experience with this simulation process consist of ensuring a process that nurtures and guides in a safe fun loving atmosphere. While providing connections to different learning objectives while identifying accommodations if needed. For instance some of the children needed support in which I provided hand over hand and repartition in assistance while praising them for making an afford. Also, giving an opportunity to guide and redirect them if needed on how to use their strengthens and weakness to their advances.  Participating using cues, gestures when prompting them to use their words. To perform using activities and materials that implement each domain when necessary to perform that will welcome simulation so that they will become successful in reaching their individual goals. In other words, I included them within the activity by implementing or modifying the following different activities and games that was age appropriate to meet their individual goals base on their ability to perform and succeed. I am interesting in gaining knowledge about strategies for condensing information. For example, Joe loves to stack the different color building blocks on top of each other, however he haven’t learned his colors. Therefore, I use this to his advantage to interact during area time ask him what color is this? Also, I will use different strategies to gain his interest in learning his colors by saying wild you have a red or blue block and either point at the red block if in place or pick up a blue blue and say I found a blue block what color is the block blue and have the child to repeat, sign or point, look whatever stimulate involvement or collaboration with his peers or teacher. 

The insights I have gained so far from constructing the research chart, and from any other element of this course is to be able to use time management and minimize what I need.By constructing the research to my advantage I am able to get straight to the main idea or supporting topic. Each element of this course will help me to develop an open discipline mind on how to research what, where,when, how it is most important. Therefore, I learn how to use an effective and appropriate approach seeking updated information and resources of the topic.

Final Blog Assignment

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

• I will always greet your child or children with a smile and complement them when they enter the classroom and acknowledge their work and effort for participation or communication by saying that is good, awesome, or like your picture. Use positive reinforcement by encouraging exploring, creating, imagination and self expression that allow collaboration among peers to be openly discuss asking open end questions when participating in group activities.

• 
Keep and open mind and an open line of communication to invite new ideas, suggestions or question about learning consequences that welcome show and tell demonstration about all children cultural or ethnic backgrounds.




• Having the knowledge can open the doors for career advancement. Also, gives educators to become an advocate.

My goal for the field related to international awareness of issues and trends and the spirit of collegial relations
My goal relates to the field to international is to surf the internet, web sites , podcast, articles and news letter and ask open end questions to my children and parents about what goals they will like to reach. 
Furthermore, I will keep and open line of communication and form a trustful honest relationship that welcoming them to engage in volunteering the classroom with their child to participate in show and tell activity discussion about their cultural diversity and ethnic background experience on sharing ideas, opinions and any insights they will feel comfortable discussing.