Blog Assignment: Observing Communication

A grandmother was sitting at a restaurant with her grandchild waiting for their food. The child seems very happy and excited. Her grandmother was hugging and kissing her. The little girl looked at her grandma's face and pointed to her lips and then her hat. The grandmother asked her what does she wants. The little girl said she like the same as grandma. The grandmother  pointed to her lips and said : "like this", the child nodded. The grandmother looked inside her bag and took her lipstick out. The little girl's eyes got bigger and begun to clap her hands. Her grandmother applied the lipstick  on her and gave her a small mirror. She also took off her hat and gave it to her grandchild to wear. She asked her why she wanted it, The grandchild said wanted to be like her. The grandmother laughed and said that she was even prettier than her. The child said again: "just like you grandma. I look pretty". The grandma smiled and gave her a hug and kisses. Her grandmother took out her camera and took a picture of her. The child asked her grandma to wait and made a pretty pose. Her grandma asked her to seat properly and not to cover her knees. The child said I have to cover this (pointing at her scar), grandma laughed again and the child giggled. The child made a thumb up sign and grandmother smiled and took a picture of her.

I seldom see situation like this wherein an elder get along this close with young children especially in my culture. Usually children has to sit still and quietly on the table and wait until your grandma or grandpa talked to you. In this situation, I learned the importance of listening and looking at non-verbal cues from the people you are communicating with and because of this a positive relationship has been formed. The grandmother allowed her grandchild to have her lipstick and dug deeper into finding the reason why she wanted it and in return the child unknowingly complimented her grandmother by telling her how much she wanted to look like her. The child was able to express herself and appreciate her grandmother by showing how happy she was with her. At the same time the grandmother gave the child the opportunity to be who she wanted to be at that moment and be proud of her own self.  

I would say that the grandmother did a wonderful job in communicating with her grandchild. She listened and was very supportive of her. She opened herself to the idea of what her grandchild wanted to do instead of discouraging or ignoring her request.  As what Holbeck said :"children communicate, really , all different ways and use their bodies so much that if you're sensitive, you can really pick up cues about how to communicate. Just like her grandmother did.

This week lessons taught me how to look more deeper into what children has to say and what verbal and non-verbal cues they have to get to know them better. I will try to acknowledge what they have to say and not just listen for the sake of being listening but to understand the message and the reason behind the things they do. I will also put myself in their shoes and allow myself to be a kid again and have fun with them every day.

Reference:  

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/Walden/EDUC/6358/03/downloads/WAL_EDUC6358_03_A_EN.pdf

Creating an Affirming Environment

I was a former child care home provider and back then I know nothing about anti-bias education, all I know is I wanted my families to know how appreciate and value them as well as share my own culture to them. When I read the Anti-bias education in a family child care home and watched Adrianna's video about her anti-bias environment, it brought back wonderful memories and affirmed that I have that kind of an environment which I never knew. I felt good knowing that I did a good job in setting up my environment as well as building positive relationship with my families.

Just like BJ Richards, I tried to unlearn the biases I have while instilling anti-bias values in the children I care.  When I was starting I have this feeling of getting intimidated by families from other race and ethnicity not because I felt I am superior  than them but the feeling of inferiority that they are better people than me. Being a person from a different culture, I have this feeling of being on the oppressed side because I cannot speak the English language well but as I get to know the families well, I built a sense of pride knowing that I did a good job in providing positive and nurturing environment for their children. Now that I am in a child care center setting I tried to incorporate the things I have in my environment when I was a home care child provider  and  set up my environment  the same way or even better - representing different family structures and cultures using the resources or materials I have in my classroom today.

My welcome board includes The pictures of the teachers in my room as well as their cultural background and experiences. It also includes policies and procedure of our organization, daily routine schedule, weekly planning base on children's observation and children's individual needs, menu which varies every week and everyday food reflecting different cultures. A poster of the USDA is also displayed sending the message to the families that everyone is entitled to a nutritional food no matter what race, color, ethnicity, religion , gender you are.

I have a family board which represents the different families we have. They are encourage to bring photos of their family and I let my children talk about their families. If they cannot bring their pictures, I ask permission to take their photo with their children. This is a good way of showing our families that I welcome and appreciate them. I also encourage families to share their culture to us by bringing some things from their home that represent their families , just like Adrianna, she has her own corner to display it. I also asked them to teach the children how to say good morning or goodbye, thank you and common words they use at home using their language.

In my dramatic area, I have dress up clothes of different cultural background and pictures of the children dress up like them and explaining where and when they wear it. Musical area, I have CD's and tapes about diversity which  use to transition to another area. One of their favorite is the music "The world is a Rainbow which explains how the world is like a rainbow with different people (Different colors). Even if we were different , it makes the world a better place just like the rainbow, it has different colors and when you put them together ,it is a beautiful sight to see. Another way to represent other cultures are the instruments we use. We have some musical instruments used by local Hawaiians, African- Americans, Asians , Hispanic and Americans.

My block area has different toy people representing different races and ethnicity . I also have displays of dolls with wheel chairs, guide dogs and dolls with crutches and canes representing people with different abilities.  My library contains books that are inspiring  and fun to read. I try to provide books that represent multi-cultural background and stories that make children feel good about themselves and be proud of who they are. I also display pictures of different military branches representing which branch of service their mom , dad or their families are from. In manipulative area, I have puzzles with pictures of people depicting different family structures,  different profession and ethnicity. For art and writing area, I provide materials such as papers and crayons or colored marker and pencils representing different shades of colors for children to use and express their family and culture. When doing art , I get the idea on how a child see herself and the people around her without having to ask them.  These are just some of the ways I will and have created an affirming environment.

 In my own opinion, no matter how a teacher arrange or fix her environment or what materials she puts in her environment,  it is always the relationship of the teachers, children and families is what matter the most. Showing respect and valuing our families is the most important thing a teacher can do to have a successful program. A program that promotes respect , acceptance of other culture as well as ours , empowering our children to reach their full potential  and having an environment that nurtures children is what I call an anti-bias environment.

Reference:

 Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/Walden/EDUC/6358/02/downloads/WAL_EDUC6358_02_A_EN.pdf

What I Have Learned

This course has taught us a lot about the importance of promoting anti-bias education and diversity  and equity in the classroom. This is an ideal place for children to learn about themselves and others, learn to have value within themselves  and  learn to respect others  but none is more important than learning it from the primary source of information which is their own family. Family is the prime source of information about cultural diversity.   As an educator I would like to help families encourage their children to recognize that there are differences among people and these differences do not make them superior or inferior to others. I hope that our families will continue to teach their children to be proud  of who they are and the culture where they come from  as well as learn to accept and respect other cultures as well

To my colleagues, it is my sincere wish that after we finish this course that we continue to work for the benefit of our children and families towards an equitable and diverse classroom environment . Although we came from different families and cultures- we became one in our goal and our advocacy.  It is sad to end this journey with all of you but I know that there is more journey ahead of us that we need to face.   

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for all your  wonderful comments on our assignments, discussion board and blogs. You made our journey easier, fun and very interesting.  Again, Maraming Salamat Po Sa Inyong Lahat (Thank you very much to all of you)!

Start Seeing Diversity - Abstract Drawing entitled " Ang Buhay sa Mundo" (Our Life on Earth)

I would like to share with you the abstract drawing I made using sharpie and colored pencils. This drawing represents different family structures and racial groups in our society. I used variety of colors to show how colorful and interesting our life here on earth. The colors gray, black and blue around the house represents the challenges and obstacles that affects our family, while the bright colors represents the happiness and joy in our lives.  I also drew some material possessions which may benefit as well as cause problems within the family.

I drew the house using continuous line ending on the door knob signifying that life is affected by the environment and the people around us, whatever happened inside the house can have a significant effect in the society as well. The patches on the wall of the house as well as the tire on top of the roof, the spider and different cracks on the roof represents how families work so hard to make ends meet and how they resolve problems within the family.

The house were surrounded by different groups of people which I colored differently from each other representing different family structure such as blended families, families with special abilities, multiracial and single and the traditional family. The people are connected to each other to show there is unity in diversity. I colored the background from dark to light color showing how other ethnic groups are being discriminated or excluded because of the color of their skin and how other groups were born with hidden privilege. I also drew the sun on the roof as well as the rainbow representing good life and hope for people who believe and work hard to reach their goal.

The other drawings outside of the rainbow represents the nature that provide us with resources which allow us to live on this earth. The mountain, the tree and the flowers represents our food as well as the fish in the sea, the falls on the left which gives us water to drink and the skies and the birds which represents the air we breathe and the leisure or fun things we do in our lives. On the bottom left of the drawing represents the importance of education in our lives. The middle part of the drawing represents the bad choices we make, polluting the sea with trash- this is what sometimes we do with their lives. I also put the spool of thread and the needle, pair of scissors and the glue representing how each of us try to patch our lives to have a better future. No matter what kind of material we use or how we do things to fix things do not matter, for as long as we work together and treat each other with respect- that is what matters.  I included the cross in the bottom of the sea which represents our faith. It is hidden within us and to my culture - the basis of our existence.

I was inspired to do this abstract drawing because this course has given an importance to those people like me - showing how America is working so hard to promote diversity and equity around the world. This course may be a little step towards changing the world's perception on other culture and group of people but if you put the collaborative effort of all the people concerned will make a big leap - reaching the minority as well as the privilege ones.

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: "We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

I would like to share my personal experience with you regarding my youngest daughter's response to her classmate who thought I was a gay. I remember hearing my daughter having a casual conversation with her classmate and I can see a very confident little girl in her. Her classmate asked my daughter : " Is your mom a gay?" My daughter said: "Yes, my mom is a gay." Then she started giggling because her classmate looked like she was confused. Upon hearing the comment made by her classmate, I approached my daughter and asked her if she was ok with having a mom like me. I also asked her if she was embarrassed or would she be more proud of me if I dressed up in a nice dress and fancy shoes. She said to me : "Mom, I like you the way you are and I am just having a good time fooling my classmate."  My daughter made me a very proud parent because she is very comfortable with who I am and it seems nothing matters except my love for them.

If I was the parent of the child who made that comment, I do not know how I am going to react but in real situation I would probably be looking at my daughter's eyes and tell her it is not polite to comment or judge people by the way they look. I would cite some examples of people who does not dress-up in skirt or blouse and dresses  to be called a woman. Some woman like to dress up in a way they are comfortable and appropriate for their job. Just like men, there are some men who love to do woman's work and wanted to stay in a home to take care of their children and it does not make them less of a man. With proper guidance and understanding children will be able to identify different gender roles and eliminate the bias perception. Children should also be allowed to express what is inside them, and there is nothing wrong about having other preference. Children need to understand -there is more of a woman than in the needs to know that you do not have to look like woman to be called a woman and same also applies to men.

As an educator , I will encourage a child to speak up to understand what made her to conclude or see a person as a gay or straight. I will also encourage children to learn about gender roles and provide resource materials in the classroom to teach them about groups of people who are different by the way they look  from each other but performs their job/ responsibility just like anyone else.

Starting Seeing Diversity - EDUC-6357

I had encounter situations wherein a parent / family were concerned about having a homosexual teacher in the classroom. They were worried about leaving the child under his care because of the perception that "most of the homosexuals are sex offenders".  Another concern also is having a male teacher in the classroom. Some of our parents are requesting to move their child to another room because they do not want a male changing their child's diapers. These common perceptions hinder the relationship between our families and children. This does not only  affect them but also the teacher who is perceived in a negative way. It is very important that we have an open communication with the parent / family's so that we can talk about their concerns and assured them that we have teachers that are well trained and has security clearance, environment that is safe and secured and  a program that encourages diversity and equity. It is also my obligation to explain to families and parents that we cannot discriminate people based on their race, color, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Teachers were chosen to be in our center because they qualify and have met all the requirements needed for the job. If things were not resolved, we refer them to their command and make a request letter to have their child transferred in which case they will not do it because they will be reprimanded for discrimination.  Same way applies to our teachers who has issues with parents because of their sexual orientation. We encourage our teachers to be respectful to our children and families no matter who they are and where they come from.

I have experienced being called a "tomboy" or lesbian when I was little and even until now. It was difficult when I was little because that is the time wherein a child start to build their own identity. I would like to prove that I am a girl who just love to do "boys stuff" and it was so frustrating for me because I grew up in a culture wherein there were only two genders- a girl or a boy.  Girl who does girl stuff and boys who do boys stuff anything between it is considered sickness or abnormality. As a child, I tried to ignore all those comments and just do what I loved to do. I am really glad I did it my way because I really enjoyed my childhood especially the part of playing outdoors. Although I have not so good experienced at school, I grew up being comfortable to who I am because of the family I have.

Even until now, I am being perceived as lesbian because of the way I walk and the way I look but this time it is much better because aside for being comfortable with myself , my own family is very comfortable of who I am and love me the way I am. I cannot ask for anything more because I have a family who accepts and supports me for who I am.

Thank you everyone

Let me start my blog by saying " Maraming Salamat sa inyong lahat" (Thank you very much to all of you) for all your response and comments on my discussion and blog posts. I had a great time working with all of you  even though I came from another culture, you  have shown  your acceptance and appreciation on my points of view or perspective and I hope that I was able to do the same with all of you.

I felt like this course has brought us together. I have learned the true meaning of collaboration- from the forming of our group, to getting to know each other, trusting each other, working together and parting our ways -adjourning . I was also inspired by your professionalism and commitment to turning your assignments on time, some of you- ahead of the time, especially on our discussion board. You have made me work hard and push me to do same thing. 

I hope that we will continue to support and inspire each other until we finish our journey towards earning our master's degree and extend our experiences and knowledge to work for the benefit of the families and children who needs us. Should you need any assistance on anything, you may contact me anytime and I will gladly help you.

Good luck to everyone and  I hope we stay in touch with each other.

Anabel Hermosura

abemhermosura@hawaii.rr.com