Reflecting on Learning

As I am led by my personal philosophy, 'Never underestimate the power of a strong black woman because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' I believe that all are capable of achieving desired goals and expectations in life. This leads me to say that my passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional is to see the true potentials of children unfold in an environment that is conducive, bias free, warm, welcome and child centred at all times within the teaching and learning process. Children are the future and they need to be nurtured and cared for. In creating an atmosphere that depicts thus, then our children will be able to unleash their potentials. Second, for the children and families that I have been working with I wish that they continue on the same pathway because beyond the sky is their limit. While for those with whom I will be working and interacting with in the future is for them to come opened minded because within my teaching and learning environment, it is one that is organized to meet their daily needs.

My Colleagues

To my colleagues, let me take the time out to unleash my gratitudes towards you for your kind words. They have been a tower of strength for me each week as we exchange our thoughts through our posts and discussions. Your feedbacks were well structured and meaningful towards up upliftment. Indeed we have worked assiduously to attain our set goals. Today as we move ahead to do our final course in the program I wish for you all the best and I do hope that we continue to correspond with each other even after the program has ended. Once more a big thank you.

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

For this assignment, I chose to look more into the region of East Asia and the Pacific. This is simply because within these regions they are prone to typhoons and a number of other devastating disasters. Second, I do not know much about this region therefore, choosing this region will enlighten me to see what goes on their and how these issues affect children and their families. Upon viewing some of the blogs it was quite heart rending to know that the children and their families were in so much distress. Can you imagine the emotional constraints that were upon these families? Water is life and without it sometimes it seems as if I cannot function properly. My heart goes out to the children and their families who were exposed to so much contaminated water that could cause serious damage to their health. With UNICEF they had hope to drink again fresh water, attend school again as you education is the key to success for all. Having to deal with these issues they definitely play a negative role in children's emotional well-being and development which includes their physical and cognitive skills .

The effects that I have gain is that I have to be grateful for all the things that I have in life because many persons are capable of gaining such access. Second, as a professional I see that children are exposed to a number of issues that impedes their livelihood in a negative way. Some people are able to overcome these obstacles easily while for some it takes a long time to recuperate.

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

Sexualization of early childhood over the years has been a concern for many persons who interacts with young children on a daily basis. This issue is one wherein calls for close observations to be done so as to plan effective strategies to alleviate the problem. Sexualization is wide, therefore, when I speak about thus I am not talking about the sex of the child of being a male or female but I am rather addressing that of the matter to which speaks about their sexuality on a hold. Within today's society it is seen that young girls and boys are being dressed a particular way that does not look childish, they are more fixed on looking like adults. For example girls are wearing a lot of make up as early as three to four years old.

From both my personal and professional experiences children who are exposed to highly sexualized environment execute adult behaviors and languages that are not suited for their age group. They also tend to behave as if they are above others talking to them. Second, whenever, I am presenting children with educational movies to view these children that are from such environment do not want to be a part of it. They tend to want to sit by themselves and do something else.

With all of this is in mind, I personally think that the implications that this may have on children's healthy development will be that of a negative one. This is so as these young children are growing up thinking that their actions are good and are self worthy but its rather not a good impression on their lives at all. To correct thus as an educator, I will have to sensitize the children about thus as well as speak with parents too about their children's actions.

Being aware of what is going on is key, the researcher has sensitize my thinking by postulating that it is important to acknowledge that there are variations in how children are affected by today's sexualized childhood based on their gender and racial , cultural and socio-economic group as well as their individual dispositions( Kilbourne, 2009). 

Reference

Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf 

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

“Wait, she cannot be on the Literacy committee and she is not a senior teacher”.

These are the words of a senior educator at my place of work.

Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010) states that classism is an attitude, action, or practice of an individual or institution, backed by societal power, that gives preferential treatment to or treats as superior those with more economic resources or higher social status and treats as inferior or denies access to those with fewer economic resources or less social status. With this in mind, its very evident to the way in which I have been treated due to the fact that I am a young educator at my my place of work. Nonetheless from thus, I have used it as an opportunity to teach my children to which I interact with each day that they are never to settle for mediocrity because beyond the sky is the limit for them.

Second, I have established to them that nothing in life is easy but with perseverance they are capable of accomplishing their set goals. Through such media they have compose a class motto that states ' Listen and you will learn a lot'. From reciting these words everyday, they have implored me that I am truly an advocate of change and I am to continue thriving for their success. For me, the whole concept of classism can be very uncomfortable but if I stay focus on what I am doing then I am able to create within me my own place of comfort and redeem myself to educate the nation's children. While for the children educating them about showing tolerance and acceptance from an early stage can help in their future development.

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).