Week 8 Coming to an End

These last eight weeks I have learned more and more about myself, my passion for working in the field, and the importance of an anti-bias point of view. My passion is for the children who really need a caring person to show that they care. It has always been my desire to help at least one child reach success and I would feel that my job is a success. Children are the future and deserve the best that there is. If I pour all that I have within the children that I serve, then these children will grow up to be successful men and women. I also look forward to working with each family and help the families learn how to help their children. I believe that it is important to work along side the families in order to have the best relationship with them so that it is a team effort with the child.

Thanks to the instructor and all of my classmates who have made these last eight weeks great. I have learned a lot from each of you and look forward to working with each  of you in the future. Best wishes to each of you! The journey is down hill now! :)

I chose to look at South Asia, the country of Nepal. I am not sure why I chose this country, however, it was interesting facts within the articles. In Nepal there is a battle to ensure that the children get enough to eat. They are combating malnutrition. Nearly half of the five year old children in the country are stunted growth or malnourished. "The period of greatest vulnerability to nutritional deficiencies is very early in life,” said UNICEF Representative in Nepal Gillian Mellsop, a meeting participant. “If a child is not well nourished during this vital window of opportunity, that window slams shut on that child and the intellectual damage can be irreversible.”

Children are experiencing learning disabilities, stunting, and other health issues due to suffering from malnourishment. these experiences may pose greater issues to the children later in life. The children continue to suffer from malnourishment grow up with weaker immune systems, health issues, and learning difficulties.

As an early childhood professional I believe that it is extremely important to combat this epidemic. I believe that it is important to always have snacks or small foods available just for children who may not have the food available to them. It is a shame that malnourishment is still a major issue across our great lands. I believe that it is great to have breakfast programs continued within schools so that the children can have a well balanced meal in order to start their day. Children learn best with a full stomach and good rest.

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/nepal

Sexualization and Early Childhood

Sexualization within the Early Childhood setting is rather disturbing to me. It seems that our society is pushing for children to grow up faster than they need to. Media portrays barbies that can have babies, dolls that are full figured and clothing is made to look older and more mature. Television shows are portraying a negative image to young children on sexaulization. Children no longer look like innocent children. It amazes me to see how some parents allow children to be so subjected to such sexualization.

In my own personal and professional life I have seen children get upset because they are not "as pretty" as the other girls because they are chubby, or hair is not long enough or eye color is not blue enough." One example that stands out to me that is most recent is going shopping and observing people. It is sad to see children dressed with such short shorts on, make up as if they were grown, and looking years older. I can't help but think, "what happened to the simple life and just being a kid?!"

 The sexualization plays a huge impact on children's lives. Children grown up entirely too fast and exposed to dress, body image, and other pressures that cause them to often miss out on being a simple child. I blame this on the media for trying to promote toys and other kid friendly items to be more in the sexual light. I was raised when girls dressed like little girls...there was no make up, heels, or older type clothing until I was high school age. Now those things seem to be what the media pushes for our children at such young ages. These images often cause extreme problems for our children. If we look around we see young teen girls looking as if they are in their twenties. I believe that within the classroom it is important to express to children to just be children. The world is moving at such a fast pace, media pushing all of these things, but children should just be allowed to be children. As a professional it is important to address any forms of sexualization and work towards positive ways of moving past it.

Impacts on Professional Practice

When I think of the isms that I have faced in my life I think that isms that come to mind would be racism. I grew up in a family that was multiracial. I remember being a young child and hearing nasty remarks. Growing up in the south multiracial families are often talked about and looked down upon. I grew up with a nephew that was biracial. He was picked on and called ugly names. I remember the hurt in his face when people would make such nasty remarks. I remember thinking "How ugly can people be, especially to a child that has no control over his situation?" The consequences that children and families that I work with today may experience from my personal experiences would be positive. I see the hurt that racism causes to families and I would be mindful of the things that I say and how I treat those families and children. I would ensure that my classroom setting was warming to all families.

Effective Communication

I recently observed my sister trying to get my three year old little boy to pick up his toys and get his shoes on so that we could head to the beach. I watched from a far so that he wouldn't try to run to me and think that he was going to be free from completing his tasks. My sister quietly but firmly spoke to Carson. She prompted him to pick up his toys and grab his shoes so that we could head to the beach. He fell out in the floor and refused to do anything. She reminded him that he wanted to go down to the beach and if he didn't pick up his mess and get his shoes on then he was not going to the beach. Carson sat up, looked around and pouted but picked up one toy then stopped. My sister had bent down and started hand over hand with him and began to make him pick up toys. By the time he was ready for his shoes to be on..he was doing that himself. My sister reminded him of what a good helper he was and how everyone likes a good helper. He said, "Im a good helper"  My sister praised him for picking toys up and they raced out the door to the beach. He was smiling and ready to go.

I liked that she quietly but firmly spoke with him to get his attention and that she had to assist him with the hand over hand in order to get him started with picking up the toys. I think that its important to get on eye level with the child and encourage them as much as possible to get a task completed. My son is strong willed and at times talking does not work...we have to try many different techniques in order to get him involved such as the hand over hand, singing songs, and making the task a game. I am learning much on effective communication this week with children.

Creating Affirming Environments

My envisions of an Early Childhood Setting is one with bright colors, centers for learning, such as reading, dramatic play, etc. In order to full fill the anti-bias views, I would ensure that m setting welcomed each culture and had pictures, books, and toys from all cultures. I would also want my center to be very welcoming and a place that parents felt welcome to sit in on a class or just to pop in. I would have a big colorful rug for story time. I would also allow each child to pick a book each time. I would also do a weekly show and tell so that each child has a chance to bring something special to them or their family. I also would ask families to come in and talk to the children on diversity as we study differences and culture. I believe that it is extremely important to get families involved within the classroom and to me this would be a great way. 

Early childhood education is the building foundation for child's learning and I find it important to get parents on board early so that their children will form a love for education, change, and diversity.

What I have Learned

One hope that I have  when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds, my hope is that I can teach children and their families how to accept those that are different. My hope is to make all those that cross my path feel as though they are special, respected, and equal. 


One goal that I would like to set is that I would continue to dispell the bias views that I have in order to teach children how to truly accept those that are different than they are. My goal is to teach acceptance, equity, and love for all who enter my classroom. 


Best wishes to all of my colleagues. I have learned a great deal from each of you and wish you the very best in this journey!