My Family Culture

Louise Derman-Sparks states that culture is, “…the specifics of what we actually believe and how we actually interact and what we actually learn from our own families and…” (Laureate, 2011) With that understanding, the three items I would take would include my bible that always has my most recent family picture taped inside, as it is the basis for my faith, my external hard drive as it encompasses everything important to myself and my family history,  and my hearing aids. Should I only be asked to keep one, I would keep my externals hard drive, as it is the basis for all that is important to me. It holds every family picture, every monumental step in life from marriage licenses, birth certificates, educational degrees and transcripts, to biblical quotes and passages, family recipes, family traditions and stories, and important phone numbers and email addresses.

This exercise is a reminder that family culture is the foundation of family, and is unique to each family regardless of cultural similarities. I have realized that remaining in contact with my family and having the resources the share and continue my family culture would be extremely important.

Laureate (2011). "Family Cultures: Dynamic Interactions". Retrieved on July 3, 2011 from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5364617&Survey=1&47=7515489&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

When I Think of Research...

While this course has not changed my perception of an early childhood professional, it has been a true learning experience. Having very little experience in research, I had no understanding of the process involved in simply designing a research project. This course has provided me with a better understanding of the steps required in creating a research project, as well as an understanding of how to ensure research is unbiased and equitable, and how to ensure the validity. I think most influential thing learned is the responsibilities of the ethics committee and the difficult job they have balancing risk/benefit ratios and identifying ethical concerns. This is truly a job that I would not want to have.

I do not believe that I can identify one specific challenge encountered in this course, as the course in its entity was challenging. To ensure success throughout this course, I constantly evaluated and reevaluated my research simulation and constantly reviewed my understanding of the terms and ideas presented in the text, as well as relied on the support of my colleagues.

I would like to thank my classmates for their support. Your posts, responses, and questions served as additional learning tools and added in my understanding. Good luck in your future endeavors and see you in the next class!

Sondi

Research Around the World

To complete this assignment, I chose to explore the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA). The website publishes an early childhood journal that focuses on current research and all of the information in the journal is noteworthy. In reviewing past journals, it appears that current research topics include scaffolding learning, conducting research with young children, toddler language development, and many others. I was disappointed that accessing the full articles required becoming a member or paying for the article.

Addtionally, the website has several special interest groups, which include,

•Birth to Three

•Equity and Respect for Diversity

•Leadership and Integration

•Leadership Mentoring for Early Years Services

•Learning and Participation

•Mathematics Birth to Eight Years

•Outdoor Play and Learning

•Professionalism in Early Childhood Education and Care

•Transitions (EECERA, 2010)

The website also posted a link to the Education Arena, which included additional article, webinars, and other resources on current issues and trends in early childhood education and professional development. Overall, it appears that if one were choose to become a member of the website, they would have access to a plethora of useful and valuable information. Unfortunately, becomeing a member was not something I am willing to do.

EECERA. (2010). Special Interest Groups. Retrieved May 31, 2011, from EECERA: http://www.eecera.org/sigs/currentsigs.asp

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

I do not have any experience with research projects or know of any families or children who have seen positive results from being part of a research project. However, I have been at a base that has implemented a trail program “Caring for People” The program is designed to ensure that airmen and families have adequate supports including family support, deployments support, special needs support and school support. The program was implemented in 2009 on a trial basis and its success has been greater than imagined. Many children and families have benefited from the support the Caring for People Coordinator was able to arrange.

In terms of research, I did come across a very good article while researching the topic of self-reflective practices, that provided an awesome quote. Professor Carole Richardson, author of the article The Reflective Teacher; The Value of Reflective Practice for Pre-service and Classroom Teachers, states, 

It is through reflection on past experiences, on beliefs, on interactions with students, colleagues, parents, on future intentions, on our present situations, indeed, on every aspect of lives that we begin to identify the assumptions that frame the way in which we teach. (Richardson, 2005)

The article discusses in depth, the importance of self-reflection for early childhood professionals and is worthy of being read,as the quote alone is enough incentive to reflect on our own biases.

Richardson, C. (2005). The Reflective Teacher: The Value of Reflective Practice for Preservice and Classroom Teachers. International Journal of Learning, 12(6), 307-311. Retrieved from EBSCOhost 14 May 2011

Personal Research Journey

I have chosen to research the topic of culturally responsive practice, including the subtopics changing demographics, historical views of diversity, and self-reflective practices, which are essential to becoming culturally responsive and providing culturally responsive care. Culturally responsive practice is an issue that directly effects the Department of Defense (DoD), early childhood sector, and me both professionally and personally. Military or DoD childcare facilities frequentlychanges its demographics, with a diverse population comprised of children from all over the world. We service multiple cultures, multiple languages, and multiple child development beliefs, and our constantly changing demographics require us to be culturally responsive in our service to both children and their families. Doing so requires that we have procedures and policies in place that ensure staff are able to identify, respect, and accept the cultures we serve, which includes self reflection. Often, as adults, we do not realize that we place labels or hold biases, but our mannerisms, body language, and verbal innuendos express otherwise.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the simulation process thus far, and look forward to delving deeply into the subtopic, the value of self-reflective practices in providing culturally responsive care. I found that the research chart was very useful and will provide information to refer too. I would also greatly appreciate any information or advice from my colleagues.

Final Blog Assignment

Learning from my international contacts in the field of early childhood, was very insightful and informative, and the communication resulted in the following consequences:

Consequence 1:  I have learned that many countries, such as Italy seem to a better understanding of the importance of early childhood education and place more emphasis on programming than the United States. While others, are still plagued with gender inconsistencies and unrealistic views of childhood.

Consequence 2:  The information they have shared has drawn attention to the fact that early childhood has many of the same issues and trends worldwide, regardless of the emphasis or understanding of the importance of early childhood. For example, poverty was a consistent trend in all of the countries I communicated with, as was inequities in the programming and availability of early childhood programs.

Consequence 3: Changing policies and practices and resolving issues and trends that surround early childhood education needs to be a global effort, so that consistencies in expectations, curriculum, and quality allow children worldwide to participate in high-quality learning programs.

Subsequently, one goal for the field of early childhood would be to form and utilize collegial relations with international early childhood professionals so that issues and trends in the field of early childhood remain forefront on the minds of all and solutions can be generated from collaboration.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

According to my contact in Italy, after doing some research and digging deeper into the issues and trends surrounding qualityy,  there are inconsistencies, especially in the smaller towns surrounding the Air Base. First, she makes it clear that the in the Italian community- the view of young children and the role the mother plays is much different.  For instance- maternity leave is 6months and easily extended to 1 full year. Women continue with 75% of pay for months 6-12. You will not see many infants (under 12m) out and about. Mothers literally stay home with their babies.  The older generation seems to look down on the younger generation for returning to work too early (too early is anything less than 6m).

Yet, with slight changing times- there seems to be increase in women needing to or wanting to return to work so there is usually one ASILO NIDO (school for children 6m-3y) in each town.  The  other schools
for children are run through the local town's Church and are faith based, and other than the ASILO NIDO schools, there does not appear to be any consistent definition of quality.  Many of the church ran schools are ran by volunteers and people who do not have any early childhood  background.
Children enter free 'public' school at the age of 3 (if potty trained).  Additionally, she shares, "In my limited experience, I have seen less emphasis on assisting children with self help skills\ until 6yr age, push for reading/writing is later than the trend seems to be for American families." She goes on to explain that the focus in early childhood is child centered learning, Montessori based. As for supportive services, the concept of Early intervention is still seen as taboo or hush/hush.  There is not the advocacy for awareness, developmental screening, or concerns of potential delays until at least around 6yr.  This contributes to the quality of care, as children who are  in need of services or special supports are not receiving the quality of
care necessary for their individual development.

My contact did not share her career dreams or goals as of yet.