Welcoming Families From Around the World

 

          As being a part of early childhood child care center, I would first get to know from where is the family coming and get to know some details about it. The family’s country of origin is Malaysia and I have no idea about this country. I will be taking some measures in order to prepare myself with enough knowledge in order to be culturally responsive with the family.

            I will first look in the internet for knowing the culture of Malaysia. I will try get to know more about the culture and how people get to know each other. The way of communication and greeting are the most important things for a first impression (Kwan, 2014). It is better that I may go through all the cultural aspects of Malaysia where it can be figured out that how people wear and what do they do for their living.

            I will also get to know the most interesting things that Malaysian like the most. Their style of food and the taste they have developed. Food matters a lot for people who are coming from abroad because they find it difficult to find their kind of food. I’ll go through certain cook books and contact some chefs to prepare some Malaysian food that would be likely for the family. Apart from food the most delicious item is dessert and without the finishing touch of sweets the ultimate flavor of food is incomplete (Ahmad, 2011). Malaysia's diversity has blessed the country with one of the most exquisite cuisines in the world, and elements of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cooking are both distinct and blended together. Rice and noodles are common to all cuisine; spicy dishes are also favorites. Tropical fruits grow in abundance, and a local favorite is the durian, known by its spiked shell and fermented flesh whose pungent aroma and taste often separates locals from foreigners. Malaysia's affluence means that increasing amounts of meat and processed foods supplement the country's diet, and concerns about the health risks of their high-fat content are prominent in the press.

            Furthermore, I will be preparing a theme for the family where they feel like home. The Malaysian theme would be graceful and colorful that would make a comfort for them. I will be serving them with breakfast and then lunch on a yacht. I will try my best to make their journey a memorable one, especially, by greeting them in the Malaysian way (Ahmad, 2011). But all of this can only be applicable when ill learn about their culture more.

            Malaysia’s department of agriculture accounts for only about 3% of the rice output. Self production needs more than ability, making it an excellent opportunity to imports from countries such as Australia. Social and cultural input includes used by others, group discussion, discussion on the network. Malaysia culture is based on the social networking and use of the Internet has increased significantly in 2005-2012 (Kwan, 2014). The huge change consumer information makes the marketing staff to share information and advertising on the Internet, trying to persuade target market choose this product. Consumers in Malaysia has been the Internet discussion groups, try to take advantage of word of mouth marketing to promote the product as a social community to discuss new recipes and different brands of rice.

References

 

Ahmad, H., Jusoh, H., & Buang, A., (2011), Nurturing Research Culture in Malaysia: The Social Sciences Undergraduates’ Responses, The Social Sciences, 6 (2), pp. 114-124

Kwan, S.S.M., Tuckey, M.R., & Dollard, M.F., (2014), Dominant Culture and Bullying; Personal Accounts of Workers in Malaysia, In Psychosocial Factors at Work in the Asia Pacific, pp. 177-200, Springer Netherlands.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

            As far as my personal experience is concerned, while boarding the home with my family, I booked the front seats of the economy class at the airport. Adjusting ourselves in our specified seats, I and the family were having a significantly enjoyable moment. Just before the flight was about to take off, three white men entered the economy class and took the seat at the back within the adjacent aisle. No sooner that we all thought we have settled in, the flight attendant came over and respectfully asked her if we could move at the back in order to shift the weight of the plane.

            I myself, including my family, we belong to African American ethnicity which in terms is considered a minority race within the respective vicinity of United States. We felt the discomfort zone that the flight attendant was trying to conceal while requesting us to move at the back however, on further inquiry whether she really wanted to shift the weight of the plane or make space for the white gentlemen; she became all defensive that she is not being a racist. More or less her views were expressed. When we arrived to our destination we filed a complaint and received free round trip plane tickets to anywhere we wanted to go. Such incidents commonly occur in day to day life where individuals are trapped in consents of being subjected to micro aggression on behalf of classism, racism, able-ism and religion-ism.

Perspectives on Culture and Diversity

Diversity is an important part of education but in my community diversity rarely exists. The lack of avenues to open the community up to diversity is precisely why students aren't educated in diversity here. I went to college in a small contry town that just isn't exposed to other cultures and ethnicities. The only way that students are exposed to diversity, in a cultural sense, is if they have the ability to travel or communicate with other cultures via the internet, Skype, Facebook, etc. Some kids are extremely diverse but their education in diversity is not a result of their schooling, it is a result of their travels, exposure and friendships to people of other countries and regions. In the school district I’ve worked in, in this small town, we have had foreign exchange students who offer some insight into the lives of other cultures, genders, etc. We also had “distant learning” classes available at our school for students who want to take them. I feel that the small local communities were very close-minded in terms of other cultures and the ways in which diversity can benefit us. My college friend told me that, our college, which is a historically black college and university (HBCU) , is becoming more diversed then ever before.  My college friend said that our college has a lot of foreign exchange students, coming for India, Africa, and Europe. Also, a lot of local Caucasians are attending our predominantly black school. In the school district I’ve worked in, in a small town, One of my old coworkers said that they are starting to introduce student to different diverse cultures by doing different themed units on different cultures.

 

Modern schooling possesses slowly evolved given that it is roots within the 1950’s city legal rights motion to get the main ethnical popular. The actual desire to identify the particular selection of civilizations instead of privileging 1 principal you are the particular drive of multiculturalism. A new speedily modifying market account in the states is actually starting out be mirrored within the pupil inhabitants of the nation’s educational institutions. The actual improve in racial, cultural, along with ethnical selection in American educational institutions is actually mirrored in several classrooms. These kinds of classrooms can also be receiving improved amounts of little ones along with issues. Several difficulties in addition to many prospects to help educators usually are brought on within the diverse structure. The actual famous roots of modern schooling come from the particular city legal rights movements of historically oppressed organizations. A brief history of modern schooling is actually followed here we are at the particular cultural steps of Cameras Us residents along with other individuals of coloration that stunted discriminatory techniques in public organizations in the city legal rights struggles of the 1960s (Banks, 1989; Davidman & Davidman, 1997). Females legal rights organizations stunted inequities in employment along with informative prospects in addition to revenue, figuring out schooling being a main adding to aspect in institutionalized along with systemic sexism.

Aims of the modern motion will include an a lot more fair along with efficient informative program intended for ethnically along with culturally diverse individuals, and also an a lot more democratic community through which there is a lot greater equal rights, liberty, along with rights in all spheres of life. (Gay, 2004, r. 39) Modern schooling acknowledges in which educational institutions are important to help sleeping the inspiration for that change of community and the reduction of injustice. It is just a reply to selection along with dazzling cultural, fiscal along with informative inequalities. Early on youth educators assist little ones along with family members by a selection of diverse skills. Because community becomes significantly multiracial, multilingual, along with modern, thus as well increases the necessity intended for educators' capabilities to support youngster's progress by means of instilling included the equipment they have to dwell together respectfully along with resist prejudice.

Although my community I used to live in is a small one, I feel that there should be some focus on multicultural education in our classrooms. The implementation of this could help the students to learn to get along better as friends and classmates. The number of individuals from other cultures will continue to grow in the United States; therefore we need to prepare our students for this culturally diverse society.

References

A Brief History of Multicultural Education (November 1999) by Paul C. Gorski, Hamline University and EdChange, Retrieved from http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/papers/edchange_history.html

The History of Multicultural Education, (n.d.), Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_6293353_history-multicultural-education.html

Evolution of Multicultural Education in the United States, (n.d.), Retrieved from http://www.iaie.org

The Challenge of Defining Multicultural Education, (n.d), Retrieved from http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/initial.html

Martin, Leisa A. "A Comparative Analysis of Teacher Education Students' Views About Citizenship Education." Action In Teacher Education 32.2 (2010): 56-69. ERIC. Web. Wood, George. "Education And Democracy: Back To The Future." Horace 24.3 (2008): ERIC. Web.

Ponciano, Leslie, and Ani Shabazian. "Interculturalism: Addressing Diversity In Early Childhood." Dimensions Of Early Childhood 40.1 (2012): 23-30. ERIC. Web. Multicultural Education as Values Education, (n.d.), Retrieved from http://law.scu.edu/socialjustice/file/BlumMEVE.pdf

Improving Access and Educational Success for Diverse Students, (n.d.), Retrieved from http://www.shps.org/documentcenter/home/view/69

My Family Culture

Family values play a great role in the upbringing of a person with devotion and dedication. A person can never be complete without the significant family values. For a person like me, family values and culture is extremely imperative. However, there are certain times in life when a person has to make choices between the family culture and values, and some natural catastrophic incident. This essay discusses the state where I have to decide between a natural life situation and possessions of my family culture.

Our country has lately been affected with a natural calamity, which has completely devastated the infrastructure of the country. The government has set some emergency plans to decide that the citizens, who have luckily survived must be best served and saved. For this purpose, they have planned that the people must be relinquished willingly as refugees. Fortunately or unfortunately, I and my family are among those survivors, who have faced the catastrophic state, but are still alive. We have no idea where we are going, what religion or culture we would be seeing and experiencing there. All we know is that the basic grounds of culture are totally different from what our culture is. It is possible that we may be living for the rest of lives in the host country. The government’s emergency plan has a policy that every person can take three items with them. In this case, the decision is quite difficult, as I cannot think of losing the asset of my family culture with a mere decision. However, I have decided to take the three things that are most valuable to me, as a representation of my family culture.

The first and the most important thing I decided to take is a folder, where I am used to keep my father’s pictures and obituary in. as I have been raised by my mother only and have never seen my father, I really feel his absence in my life. My father died before my birth, and I was never being able to see him. All I have saved are his pictures and some important stuff related to his obituary. Since this folder has always been dear to me, I want to keep it with me at any cost.

The second important object I want to take with me is a jewelry box of my grandmother that contains traditional African jewelry. It was very precious to my mother and to me as well, as my mother had given that to me. I am the only grandchild in the family, and so the gift from my grandmother is dear to me.

The third important object is the family picture photograph album that contains the photographs of my ancestors. This is significant to me, as it contains the photographs of my great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and me. I really do not want to lose this precious album that is why I want to keep it wherever I go. Unfortunately, the government policy has announced that we can only keep one item when we will reach there, as this is the policy of the host country. I have to decide what I want to keep with me, and the other two things will be dropped. In this regard, I will keep the folder of my father.

This event made me understand the importance of my family values and culture and made me feel that there is no replacement of family. We can live in any part of the world, in any culture, with many differences, but the significance of family cannot be replaced with anything. This essay has discussed the importance of my family values and the three traditional objects of my family that are dear to me.


References

Damewood, C (2014) “African American Family Values” Love to Know Family, Data retrieved from http://family.lovetoknow.com/african-american-family-values on September 11, 2014

 Family Focus (2007) “Families and Social Class” National Council on Family Relations, Data retrieved from https://sociology.sas.upenn.edu/sites/sociology.sas.upenn.edu/files/National_Council_of_Family_Relations.pdf on September 11, 2014

Research Around the World

           The website of “Early Childhood Australia” focuses on the development of educational programs for the young children. The website presents information about the different conferences, publications, conferences, and membership details. In addition to this, the accreditations are also mentioned on the website which helps the people in understanding as to how this program is being accredited and what are the different programs that people can take advantage of (Goodfellow, 2009). The website also provides an option for members to log in which helps them in reaching an area that is personalized and that has all their information. The website presents information on how the organization works for the betterment of the children and how education should be provided to them.

            The main current international research topics discussed in Early Childhood Australia are: social justice, ensuring quality and equity in all issues. The organization provides comprehensive information about the three international research topicsthat are being offered and also helps the people in understanding the main purpose of the formation of the organization (Early Childhood Australia, 2014). The projects undertaken by the organization are also mentioned in detail in such a manner which helps the people in knowing the various areas that the organization focuses on. In addition to this, the resources of the organization are also provided on the website.

            News related to the organization is also provided as it helps the people in staying abreast of all the changes that are taking place in the organization. In addition to this, the website also provides the contact details in order to make sure that any person willing to join the organization has all the related details with him (Early Childhood Australia, 2014). People visiting the website should make sure that they go through the news section of the organization so that they are aware all the changes that are taking place in the organization.

            One of the challenges faced by educators of early childhood might be pressure to start academic skills’ teaching at a younger age. An educator may deal with such problem by incorporating specific strategies, which will promote critical understanding related to key components of imaginary rules, roles and situations (Goodfellow, 2009). It might be said that communication skills for early childhood educators are essential for the fact that it creates multi-professional networking, broadening the horizon of educator’s knowledge.

            It can be said that in a manner, the human development is based on the development of the children in the early stages of their lives. It basically involves the ability to live with dignity and the ability of a person to achieve a quality life as well. The development in the personality, intelligence and social behavior of a person is basically related critically to his development in the early childhood.

            Basic skills and strategies that can be essential to effective early childhood education may be comprised of vocabulary, comprehension and writing, phonics, fluency and phonological awareness (Goodfellow, 2009). An educator’s communication skills may assist a child to enhance his or her higher-order thinking and language skills along with establishing the basic skills.

            The website focuses on the international organizations who work with the children suffering from disabilities and with special needs. The website presents information about the program and the different ways with which the members of the program can help the children in working and in knowing as to how they should work and the different ways in which the special children can be provided with quality education.

References

 

Early Childhood Australia, (2014), Early Childhood Australia, Early Childhood Australia, data retrieved from
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Goodfellow, J., (2009), The early years learning framework: Getting started, Early Childhood Australia, data retrieved from
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/nqsplp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/RIP0904_EYLFsample.pdf

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Ethics in research are considered a helpful tool that integrates positive behavior in research (Kaboub, 2008). It helps the researcher and the participants to avoid any violation of the research principles. It assures the prevalence of professional ethics in research and improves the quality of research. It is the demand of the research discipline that the researcher and the participants follow the guidelines of ethical consideration and professional ethics in research (Kaboub, 2008).

 

The excessive smoking behaviors effect the social interactions of people and give a negative impression on others. The anti-smoking media campaign not only seizes this effect, but also brings a positive environment to improve public interactions.

 

Smoking is an ever-increasing negative habit that has harmful effects on human health. Unfortunately, this issue had become quite evident in teens and young adults, who spend a lot of money and time on smoking (Liu and Tan, 2009). There are various reasons for them to smoke. Many of the youngsters smoke to make a prominent impression in their social circle, considering that they look even smarter by smoking. However, they neglect the fact of adversity that is the ultimate outcome of excessive smoking. The selected research article by Liu and Tan (2009) highlights some very interesting facts, as they researched to bring a positive impact on the selected issue.

Liu and Tan (2009) selected a particular group of people for their research on effective anti-smoking media campaign and its effect on smoking behavior. The case was carried in California, as the two researched observed a particular group of smokers in California. The results of this research not only affected the teens and young adults involved in the habit of smoking, but also affected the families of those smokers in a positive way. Their research was planned to evaluate the effect of media campaign in presenting commercials and advertisements that entails anti-smoking message. There are some advertisements that prevail positive impression of smoking, which results in smoking attitudes. On the other hand, they utilized the evidence from advertisements of anti smoking attitudes (Liu and Tan, 2009).

Liu and Tan (2009) identified that smoking has become the most prevalent negative behavior in teens and young adults that has long lasting health and societal effects. In order to reduce this fashion from society, Liu and Tan (2009) constructed pseudo panel data. Their research made it evident that a lot of money is used to expand the business of tobacco by advertising, and then why not utilize the same economics to decrease the number of smokers. They divided the participants into four variables to underline the results. The participants were divided in the category of adult smoker participants, adult smokers who never quit smoking, adolescents who have just started smoking and adolescents who have committed never to smoke. The results of the research provided positive results, as the number of smoker was reduced. This research study brought a positive influence on teens and young adults who never thought that they could quit smoking, and now they are living a healthy span (Liu and Tan, 2009).

 

            This research of Liu and Tan (2009) justified the ethical standards of a positive research that helped the participants (teens and young adults) and their families to overcome the adverse habit of smoking. This research met the criteria of positive paradigm by asserting real life event and observing a real life situation. This  has analyzed the implication of the ethical research by presenting an illustration of a positive research that has benefited children and family.

 

References

Kaboub, F (2008) “Positivist Paradigm” Leong, Encyclopedia of Counseling, vol.2 (2), Data retrieved from http://personal.denison.edu/~kaboubf/Pub/2008-Positivist-Paradigm.pdf on July 18, 2014

Liu, H., Tan, W (2009) “The Effect of Anti-Smoking Media Campaign on Smoking Behavior: The California Experience” Annals of Economics and Finance, vol. 10 (1), Data retrieved from http://www.aeconf.net/Articles/May2009/aef100103.pdf on July 18, 2014

 

 

 

My Personal Research Journey

The topic that I have chosen for my research is about teenage mothers as it relates to the early childhood field, since I deal with some teenage parents at my job. I want to learn more about how teenage parents comprehend how important early childhood development is for their children, also what kind of goals some of these teenage parents have for providing a better life for their children. I would also like to learn about how teenage parents feel about being parents at a young age. So far I am very nervous about this course. The glossary at the end our text book has gave me a better understanding of some of the terminology used in this course. Any advice or information anyone is willing to share, I would greatly appreciate it and vice versa. Thanks!!!

Sharing Web Resources

The name of the organization that I selected was the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), http://www.nbcdi.org/. The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) mission is “to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy, which ensures a successful future for all children.” “NBCDI supports and works primarily with Black children birth through age eight and their families, through coalition building with community-based organizations, foundations, corporations, school systems, elected officials, government, child care, Head Start and many other public and private partnerships.” “The organization was launched by the Black Women’s Community Development Foundation, whose leadership, in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement, was deeply concerned about the unsatisfactory conditions faced by families determined to raise healthy Black children.  By organizing NBCDI as a national advocacy group, they created a unified movement to develop strategies to improve the life circumstances of the Black child through policy change”.

 

References

 

National Black Child Development Institute

 

http://www.nbcdi.org/

Getting Ready—Establishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

This assignment was very challenging. As I explored the naeyc website under their global alliances I set out to contacts of the alliances. I contacted all the alliances from Africa and Asia. I emailed these alliances and stated my names, where I'm from, the university that I attend, my major, and the class I am currently enrolled in. Also, I stated the purpose of this email. As of now none of these alliances have responded to my email. So I began my search and I can upon this website http://www.nbcdi.org/, the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI). The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) mission is “to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy, which ensures a successful future for all children.” “NBCDI supports and works primarily with Black children birth through age eight and their families, through coalition building with community-based organizations, foundations, corporations, school systems, elected officials, government, child care, Head Start and many other public and private partnerships.”

References

National Black Child Development Institute

http://www.nbcdi.org/

The Global Alliance of NAEYC

http://www.naeyc.org/resources/partnership/globalalliance

 

My Connections to Play

Two quotes that I feel summarize what play represented for me in childhood.
 

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” -  Fred Rogers

Essential play items for my younger self.

My bicycle with training wheels, my Barbie doll, my Nintendo with duck hunt game, coloring books and Spirograph to draw and color with.
 

 

The memories that I have of play in my younger years is playing outside with my friends, riding my bike, playing video games with my cousins, and coloring and drawing with my mother. I use to go play outside with my neighborhood friends, we would run, jump, play outdoor games like it and hide and go seek. Also, outside I would go bike riding with my neighborhood friends up and down the block. I used to go visit my cousins who had Nintendo and we will play duck hunt all day long. While at home I will play with my Barbie dolls, and which I loved to do my Barbie dolls hair and put new clothes on my Barbie dolls. I also loved to color and draw, especially with my mother. As a young child my mother taught me how to color in the lines and we used to color in coloring books together. Nowadays I don't see a lot of young children engaging in outdoor physical activity, and due to their environment a lot of parents aren't letting their children go out to play as a safety precaution. I also see a lot of children not enrolled in daycare or early head start programs, which can have an effect on young children socially. If the children were enrolled in such program they will be able to learn through play how to become more sociable, physical, emotional, and cognitive. Play is a very important aspect in children’s lives. Play is an action that allows young children to develop cognitively, socially, physically, emotionally, and creatively, which are the elements to a healthy development. Here below is a video about the importance of play:

 

Reference:  
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXyYQccegEk

 



Reflecting on Building Relationships

 

Relationships are important to me because it is something that you have to deal with on a daily basis. By having relationships with people can give you a better understanding of who you are. For example, if you come from a loving and supportive family then more than likely you have a good healthy relationship with people which tell you a lot about your character. In the photos below are some of the people that I have a great relationship with. In the first photo is a picture of my immediate family which consists of me, my uncle, my grandparents, and my mother. My relationship with my family is very close knit, loving, and supportive. The next photo starting from the left is a picture of me and my mother on the day I graduated from college. My relationship with my mother is very supportive because we're all we got. My father was killed before I was born and my mother never got a chance to tell him that she was pregnant. She's a very lovely and strong single mother. She put her dreams aside to help me fulfill my own. In the middle photo is a picture of me in my best friend when we were children. My relationship with my best friend is very close. We have been friends since I was born. Our parents are best friends as well and I am her child godmother. My best friend is always there when I need her and vice versa. In the last photo is a photo of me and my sorority sisters. My relationship with my sorority sisters is very supportive and loving. Who would ever thought that all 31 of us would be chosen to become a member of an illustrious sorority. We are always there for one another, we support each other's goals and dreams, we help support the goals and dreams of our communities and we have built long lasting relationships and friendships.