Blog Assignment-Week 3

Upon viewing the assignment on hand for this week and the questions posed I can attest that I do find myself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures. This is so as I have learn to accept other persons beliefs, value, cultural practices because we all reside in a diverse society that consist of different ethnic background and principles. Second, I communicate different at times because I have to show respect to others as well as learn to compromise at times. In doing thus I allow others to feel accepted, loved, cared for and most of all belonged to express self openly with confidence. This is in turn play a positive role in my life as I am accepted in return. 

Therefore, three strategies that I could use to help communicate more effectively with the people or groups that I have identified are:-
(a) Making a conscious decision to establish a good relationship with people from other cultures.
(b) Acquire adequate knowledge and understanding about others culture, customs and views.
(c) Be kind, just and bias free at all times.

Reflections on watching a program with/without sound

I chose the "Jeffersons" for this given assignment this week.  It was very quite interesting and exciting to have watched the movie without the sound. This is so as I was able to see a number of communication skills being executed through a nonverbal approach. I could see how George related to his wife, housekeeper and friends. It was rather filled with a lot of laughter as I was placed in a position to consider what they were really trying to communicate without hearing them speak the actual words. Based upon what I have observed it was evident that they all had a great relationship but at times could not agree with each other. These assumptions are based on the facial expressions and body languages that were being executed by the characters. However, when I watched it with the sound on I got a better feel about what the characters were trying to communicate with each other. Second, I was so surprised to see that some of the assumptions that I held about what I was viewing were indeed true as I watched the movie with the sound.
I believe that my assumptions would be incorrect if I was watching a show that I knew well because to be honest I would not be looking  closely for such communication skills at all. However, I have learn that in communicating with others I have to be very careful about my tone, facial expressions, body language as these kind of communication says a lot and sometimes they deliver a negative /positive message to the persons in which I am communicating.  

Blog Assignment

One person that I deem as setting an example of being an effective communicator is that of my former lecturer Dr. Christopher Clarke. He was a patient and respectful individual that addressed the needs of all the people that he interacted with on a daily basis. Dr. Clarke used a lot of gesture that created  an atmosphere that built people confidence, self worth and being. This in turns enhanced one's self esteem and self concept. His body languages that were articulated were always positive and welcoming. He gave a lot of eye contact because doing such he strongly believed showed him if he was reaching his audience effectively. I therefore, would want to model some of his communication behaviors. This is simply because I have learnt so much from him and his communicative skills are what lent his way for being such a positive role model. 

Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds are that of :-
(a) Creating an environment that is warm, rich and filled with love and respect for all.
(b) Creating an environment that depicts an anti-bias atmosphere which promotes  positive and healthy opportunities for all regardless of their background.

One goal that I  would like to set for the early childhood field that is related to issues of diversity, equity and social justice is 'implementing strategies that creates opportunites that articulates diversity, equity and social justice for all in a developmentally appropriate mannner that is bias and prejudice free.'



I would like to take the time out to thank all of my colleagues that I have communicated with throughout this course. Your feed backs were very rich and inspiring to me. Today, I can say that I have learn a lot from you all and I am sure you can say the same in return. Thanks again and all the best to you all in your other courses. I do hope that we meet again in the other courses.   

Welcoming Families Around the World

I chose the early childhood setting of a child care center to execute this scenario. The name of the country of origin for the family who has recently emigrated from a different country that I know nothing about that I chose is Cambodia.

Five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this particular family are:-

(a)    To learn about this particular family background and way of life, this includes their beliefs and values.

(b)   To be knowledgeable about this family use of language as this in key in the communication process that will take place between the family and I.

(c)    To create a teaching and learning environment that is filled with warmth, love and reflects power, culture and equity among all ethnic group. In doing thus, I can encourage students to care for one another and be responsible for each other inside and outside of the classroom.

(d)     Display equality among all by being humble, patient, honest and most of all caring for the needs of this family and others in a clear and precise manner.

(e)   To have a one to one conference with this family. This can be done by hosting a welcoming party.

 In executing such strategies, I strongly believe that they will be successful as mutual respect will be dispelled amongst all. Second, the child and family will free to express self openly with confidence. This will in turns enhance their self esteem and self concept. Third, this will help me in a professional manner as I will be empowered towards learning and sharing concepts on a daily basis with this family and other respectfully.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice and Oppression

My memory comes from executing a display competition at work. The day was being celebrated as ' Jamaica Day' wherein each class was given a specific topic to look at for example, food, clothing, music just to name a few. Our group got music to do. We went out and researched the topic and gave our students and parents part to do so as to enhance parents involvement as this is a key element in the education of the young ones (children). On the day of the judging our display our display was the most outstanding one yet we were placed second. After asking a few questions here and there we understood that the master judge and one of the teacher in our group had personal issues, therefore, she used it against us. Now being the person that I am very determined and dedicated towards all that I do I went to the master judge and spoke with her. Surprisingly she was not afraid to say to me, "serve her right because she needs to leave my husband alone." but when I asked my colleague about it she said that they were just good friends.


 The speech of the master judge diminished equity as what she did was not called for, neither was it the time and place to deal with her personal issues. Secondly, no one was aware of the personal matter that existed among them. Therefore, she should not have used that and be biased in judging the display.
With this feeling I felt very disturbed, annoyed and disappointed because professionalism teaches that one should know how to act, conduct themselves as a professional and right there this judge did the opposite.Therefore, in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity I strongly believe that both the master judge and my colleague needs to sit and talk about their issues because in life two wrong do not make a right and sometimes what we think does not always turn out to be true. Therefore, stooping to think and talk about things make a complete difference.

he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf

he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf

he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf

he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf

he conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation." - See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm#sthash.YXpzEqbp.dpuf

 

Practicing Awareness of Microaggression

One example of microaggression that I have detected this week took place right in front of me at work. A little girl was sitting and doing her work with her grandmother right beside her because it was almost time for school to dismiss. Suddenly, another little girl who has been stereotype as being a troubled child came over and shouted out loudly in the girl's face. In defense of her granddaughter, the grandmother replied openly by shouted, 'move away, you good for nothing ugly dirty girl and let fly pitch on you because you are in their category'. By  echoing those words the little girl ran to the other side of the classroom. Right there and then the teacher turned around and address the matter. When the little girl that did the act was asked why she did what she had did, she replied by saying, 'I was only playing with her, she is my friend and now I am sad.'
Based upon what I viewed as the microaggression took place, I personally believed that it was a childish act displayed by the little girl's grandmother and as a mother she should not have done that because what if someone else did that to her grand child I am sure she would not have liked it. It was very obvious that she had hurt the child's feelings.

My observation experiences about micraggressions this week has definitely taught me that everyone has feelings and in life we should think before we act and measure the words that are use to speak to others. It has also taught me that I should never ever try to solve a problem when I am angry but rather do so when I feel calm about a given situation.