EDUC- 6357 Week 3 Blog: Start Seeing Diversity

This week, we were asked to view a media presentation on seeing diversity. My initial reaction after seeing the sections on gender and same-sex families, they really resonated to me as an early educator. There were many times within my career that I would sit down beside a child rolling playdoh, and automatically assume she was making a pie, when she explains to me the part she was rolling was the ground to her volcano. When seeing two boys play in dramatic play, wrapping their babies and feeding them, there was an assumption that they were the brothers, when in fact they were playing mother and father.

I was asked to think about my response to those who believe that early childhood centers, should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families.

By providing an inclusive environment where children are exposed to differences in same-sex families, gay or lesbian individuals, we are first ensuring that all families are valued and welcomed.  Secondly, by providing books that illustrate a diverse group of families, we are letting children and families know, there is not a one set model of what a family looks like, and lastly, we are helping children learn to value their own differences, as well as others, and learn acceptance and respect.

 I was also asked to share my thoughts on how I would respond to a parent/family member who informed you they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child.

I feel that is Important for the families to know that as educators, we work hard and providing an inclusive, safe, and trusting environment for both the children and the families. As educators, it is also our responsibility to provide an anti-bias curriculum, which teaches children the importance of awareness, sensitivity, respect, and compassion, in terms of working with, and accepting others that are different from them.

In many schools there are harassment policies, which protects individuals regardless of their sexual orientation. By educating the families on how we strive at eliminating bias, stereotypes, and prejudice, may force them to re think their views on what type of individual is “suitable’ for educating their children, as well as force them to recognize their own bias and prejudice.

 

 

 

I found a really good YouTube video about 30 minutes, on children of LGBT families, speaking out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9xfHqT1HEY&feature=em-share_video_user

 

 

 

Reference:

 Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Start seeing diversity: Gender [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Not Goodbye, But See You Later!

As we reach the end of our communication course, I would like to thank my colleagues, Dr. Darragh, and my team members, for helping me along this journey, and providing resources, and insight on how to communicate effectively to provide positive outcomes.

 I began this course with some experiences being a part of conferences, small groups and large groups. I leave this course with knowledge about the true meaning of communication, and why it is so important. I leave with knowledge about strategies and skills used in communicating, but most importantly I leave this course with the confidence in knowing, who I am as a communicator!

I wish everyone the best of luck in continuing our education journey, “this is not goodbye, but see you later”!

 

 

 

 

Five Stages of Team Development

 

 

I have the opportunity to sit in many informative groups that were productive into finding solutions. I was asked to facilitate one of the small groups at a past conference, which focused on “Team building”. What made this conference so interesting and informative, is the way each individual had the opportunity to share their stories, or experiences within their work place.

Another great experience of this workshop, and having the opportunity to facilitate, was the experience of meeting other teaching professional from across the state, being able to sit and talk with each of them on  more personal level, making new friends, and exchanging emails, and phone numbers, so that we will always have a support team near and far!

In the article; The Five Stages of Team Development, The first stage called, “forming” teaches everyone that stating a clear goal during the introduction process, helps each member understand their roles within the group.

Stage three of the development process is known as; “Norming”, this is the stage where the individual’s within the group began working together effectively, they began to move past the expectations, and goals, and began working on the steps towards improvement. This is the stage my group left off at. Although we spent 8 hours learning about each other, sharing ideas, and brain storming, we left our final project/goal incomplete due to lack of time.

This has to be the hardest group I have had to say goodbye to!

 

Reference:

Article: 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

Non Violent Communication and Conflict Management

I am usually an individual that will avoid conflict at all possible. However, I am a human being that has opinions, feelings, and suggestions. I recently had a small conflict with a colleague, who felt as though a child within our class should receive behavior management at the age of one. She also discussed mentioning to the family, how aggressive the child can be.

There are two problems with this situation, the first; my colleague has been there less than three months, and secondly, the child’s behavior is typical at this age. I have worked with this child’s family for over five years, with their other children, and I also know that there are steps that have to be taken when “confronting”, or communicating with this particular child and family.

During a team meeting, I refrained myself from lashing out, and communicating inappropriately, instead I practiced my active listening skills, respected everyone’s’ opinions and suggestions by waiting patiently for everyone to have a turn to speak.

When I had a time to speak, I suggested giving this child a little more time before we jump to conclusions about suggesting the child has “aggressive behavior”, I felt as if we should continue classroom observations, and practice age appropriate strategies, that will facilitate this child’s engagement with the materials in the classroom, this in turn may refrain from hitting, or biting, and allow the child the opportunity to explore her environment in a positive way.

The end result was a mutual decision to follow my suggestions, as well as my colleague’s suggestion of giving the family the heads up, of areas in which we may see concern.

Who Am I As A communicator?????

This week’s blog assignment stemmed from an online sentences in the way I felt I communicated publicly, as well as how I communicate in one on one situations.

I am a person that hesitates when it comes to public speaking, I get nervous and find myself talking extremely too fast! What surprised was that my closest friend and co-worker assessed me as the kind of person that was comfortable speaking in front of large crowds, and felt as though I shut down during small group meetings. I, on the other hand disagree, I am always a nervous wreck when speaking in front of crowds and would rather speak one on one, or even in a small group.

What I learned from this activity was that, my feelings, and level of comfort towards communicating publicly, is definitely masked through my determination of getting through any presentations, or opportunities I have to do so. The way my family and co- workers view my level of comfort, is as if I come across as being the type of person that communicate clearly, and effective.

As a professional in the early child hood field, I not only communicate with my children, but with my families as well during school readiness meetings, and family night. In order to get over my fear of public speaking, I feel as though practicing in small groups more would be helpful, as well as practicing relaxation techniques, and really working with myself to find out what really makes me nervous speaking in front of large groups. Is it the people in general? Or the fact that I am afraid to fail, although I know I am fully prepared, and knowledgeable about the topic?

 

 

I Heard It Through the Grapevine!!!!

Being such a people person, and also working within the early childhood profession, I have had so many experiences in communicating.

I currently work in a center that is predominately white, myself being one of two black women. My co-teacher, who is also black, and best friend of many years seem to communicate with one another in a way that is different from the way we talk to our Center Manager, and all other admin staff.

However, I feel as though I remain consistent and not “loose” who I am, just to make someone else feel as though I do not fit in. What helps me gain the respect from my colleagues and families I serve is my personality, my direct eye contact, my nonverbal cues which allows the other person in which I am communicating with understand , I am in fact paying attention.

I often ask my friend why she “code switches”, and suddenly verbalizes as if she was running for office, she is very unaware that she does this, I have noticed other colleagues pick up on it.

 

Learning about communication skills” Good Times!

The show I chose to observe appeared to be an African American family standing in a room with a couch and 1 chair. The room the individuals are standing in is also joined with what appears to be the kitchen area. There are 2 older women, and an older man, along with a teenage boy, a younger and a teenage girl.

There is a conversation going on between the teenage boy and the older couple. The two other children are sitting on the floor smiling up at the three involved in what appears to be a positive conversation. Through the door brings a very attractive African American woman who walks in with no invitation, she communicates something, claps her hands and greets the older women already present with a side hug, As she stops laughing and hugging, both women look at one another, and give each other what appears to be a longer heart felt hug.

The show I am discussing is called; “Good Times”. This particular episode was one where the family (mother, father, and three children) were getting evicted due to nonpayment of rent. Through the laughs and smiles displayed, one would assume the conversation was joyous, and possibly a happily family enjoying each other’s’ company, when all along the family was in jeopardy of losing their home.

The women that entered was a longtime friend of the mother, she made a joke as she always does when she enters the family’s home. The look in the mother’s eyes displayed sadness, in which time the two (neighbor and mom) gave one another a hug.

“If others tell us something we make assumptions, and if they don't tell us something we make assumptions to fulfill our need to know and to replace the need to communicate. Even if we hear something and we don't understand we make assumptions about what it means and then believe the assumptions. We make all sorts of assumptions because we don't have the courage to ask questions.”
― Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom    

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=good+times+images&qpvt=good+times+images&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=BF05A1146866B78A1B732C2A56EA6ADFD6197338&selectedIndex=0