Professional Hopes and Goals

• One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

In working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds, I would hope that my experience and the knowledge gained from this class would facilitate a culturally responsive environment that welcomes, accepts, and supports each families diverse and individual needs.

• One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length)

In setting a goal for the field of early childhood and the issues of diversity, equity, and social justice, I would like to see the field of early childhood bring about a complete understanding of diversity, starting with the idea that we are all diverse. I would like to see equity  and social justice for all children and families and learning about  both can and should begin from birth.

• A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

I would like to thank all of my colleagues, as not only were they a vital form of support, they were an excellent source of information, knowledge, and experience. We learned from each other, as we shared our perspectives and experiences about diversity, equity, and social justice.

Blog Assignment: Welcoming Families From Around the World

• The name of “your” family’s country of origin
• Philippines
• At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family
• Initiate conversation via email/ or snail mail with the family, assessing language preferences and the need for a translator or information in home languge Then provide enrollment information including child/family questionnaire, which assesses information about culture, customs, child rearing practices, and goals for child in early childhood program.
• Initiate conversation with other early childhood professionals in the Philippines, to gain an understanding of current trends and issues in the field.
• Research cultural beliefs and child rearing practices in Philippines
• Research and purchase materials and props that represent the families culture and incorporate family culture throughout center, including meals
• Research and purchase books and music that represent home language, as well as incorporate home language throughout center
• Schedule an orientation meeting prior to start in childcare to open lines of communication and form positive relationship. Also provide resources for families new in area to ensure smooth transition.
• A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family
• I would hope these steps would help create a strong bond and open lines of communication, as well as provide the feeling that the family and their culture are both respected and welcome in the facility

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

The small town in Missouri, in which my family still resides, is surrounded by smaller towns, still stuck in a time where prejudice was the norm, surprising with a military base so close by. Just maybe 20 miles down the road, is a town filled with modern day KKK members. While I was living in Missouri, a co-worker and her husband, new to the area, purchased a house in the KKK town prior to arriving to the base, not knowing the social beliefs. My co-worker is Caucasian and her husband black, immediately went to view their house prior to signing the final papers. Needless to say, my co-worker did not receive a friendly welcome, and while most contracts have an out  the upon viewing, when purchased site unseen, there is no out if the town doesn’t like you.

The treatment diminished equity, as they spent over four years living in a town that did not welcome them, would not accept them, and made their life difficult. Their children did not have friends in their neighborhood, and as a family, they were outcasts. It saddened me greatly, to see them feel like lepers. The prejudice is so strong in such towns, and runs deep into the veins of the people, change would need to come from the majority of the town’s people for there to be an opportunity for greater equity. The base did start to become involved with the town, collaborating with them to support and participate in joint events, as means to bridge the gap and spread awareness, and things in a small way did get easier. Perhaps my co-worker and her family sparked what will eventually change the ideas of the town.