Week 8

Professional Hopes and Goals

I hope that I have gained the knowledge and skills that would prepare me professionally   to provide a positive environment where each child and family feels respected and welcome regardless of their culture, gender, race, etc. I also hope to build an effective classroom that would allow each child to have the opportunity to thrive and excel.

One goal I would like to set for early childhood field is to advocate for families and their children by helping them understanding that differences make us unique in our experiences, and allow us to learn and benefit from each other. I would seek to raise awareness about how bias and discrimination can hamper people progress and limit their capacities, without being open to other differences, we would not be able to embrace and celebrate diversity.

   Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to my professor, and all my colleagues for their feedback, and their valuable insights. I really learned so much from this class and hope to see you next course so we can continuing our journey. Best wishes for all and have a great winter break.

Blog Assignment- Week 7

Welcoming Families From Around the World

TThe country of origin I chose is Malaysia

TThe five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family

1.      I would research the country, and learning about the culture, traditions, customs and what is acceptable and not acceptable to this family.

2.      Understanding their language so that I can communicate with families about their children and how we can work together towards better future for the children

3.      I would create a healthy environment by providing the classroom with pictures, posters, and items of this country to help the child feel that his language and culture is respected and valued.

4.      I would build reciprocal and effective relationships with families to learn more about their needs, and the best ways to respond to them.

5.      I would celebrate the child and the family holidays so that no family or child would feel left out or marginalized.

I hope that these preparations will make me qualified enough to help families and their children flourishing in a nurturing environment that encourage differences and embrace diversity. I would like each child and family feel welcome and included in the classroom. Learning about this country would definitely increase my understanding and knowledge of how to create strategies and activities that meets children’s’ needs and provide them with potential opportunities to thrive and excel.

 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression 

An ancient that I can recall is the one that   happened to one of my friends when we were working in a charity organization. The people I worked with are from different backgrounds and cultures, so it was a very beautiful diverse environment. My friend invited all the employees for a lunch because her daughter got her master degree. When we were sitting and eating together, one of the employees whispered something to his friend who is sitting next to him and smile. I bet they made a comment regarding the food because they did not eat anything. My friend noticed them smiling, she understood that they would not like her food. She felt embarrassed and uncomfortable.

Indeed, this incident made me feel sad and angry because all of us are coming from different backgrounds, so we have at least respect each other, and stop making comments that hurt people feelings and make them sense inferior. People should educate themselves about others culture, and learn that each one is different in his traditions, foods, background, and perspectives. I really feel that my responsibility is to raise awareness that these differences help us to learn from each other and expand our knowledge rather than passing prejudices and bias views. I would like to teach people whether in the workplace or school to embrace diversity and deepening their perceptions about the fact  that bias, discrimination, and prejudice do nothing except demeaning individual’s  experience and capacities.