Professional Hopes and Goals

Throughout this course we have learnt many things about diversity and culture. As an early childhood educator one should must be able to get along with other diverse families and their children. My hope is that I would treat all families similar to each other, without discrimination or prejudice against them. Going beyond how I may feel about a person, and just to give each family an equal opportunity to quality education.

One goal I'd like to set for the early childhood field, is to ensure those working in the field are aware of the bias and therefore be able to work on it or eradicate it all together. As leaders in the field we must pass on our knowledge, it will be for the benefit of the children. Treat others as you would want them to treat you; basically the golden rule. We are all diverse, consider each other's feelings.

I also would just like to say thanks to all those who would have commented on my blogs or discussions, making some interesting points for me to ponder upon. I hope everyone continues to do their best and not give up; there is a rest point at the end of the journey.

                                                 

Welcoming Families From Around the World

I am the director of a child care centre and the country my "family" is from is South Africa.


The five ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards the family is:

• research the country in which the family is from, the norms, traditions, beliefs, language.
• having a meeting with the family including the child, get to know them for who they are and not assume they are like their country.
• after gathering as much information as possible, I will then pass on such information to the other educators that I work with, so that they would be prepared also.
• as educators try to rid our thoughts of stereotypes or bias.
• within the classroom place a flag of South Africa, and during lessons refer to South Africa in some instances.

I would hope these preparations benefit both myself and the family in order that the family would feel comfortable sending there child to the care centre. Also we as educators would not offend the family in any way, by our words or deeds. There would be confidence developed within the family, that they would feel welcomed and appreciated for who they are. A bond between family and educators would develop. Both educators and family should not feel as though they have to lose themselves in the process but rather just acquire love and appreciation for another person. 

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I can not honestly think any personal experience that I would have encountered. Therefore I will refer to the "Blind Side" which is based on a true story.
In "Blind Side" there was a black guy who was ostracized because he grew up in a poor community with not the best parents. Not many people expected much from the young man because of his circumstances homeless, poor grades, and no family to love and care for him. He was different from the other students and he was in a new school, probably being one of the few black children in the school. This young man had just as every right to be the greatest that he could be, with all his potential. At times people in society are not always conscious of the effects reactions towards someone affects them, and discriminating against the young man made him feel less worthy to be in such a nice school. Fortunately he was blessed with a family who love him like he was their own and that in itself boosted his self esteem, and showed him how much he was worth and his purpose in life.

This incident made me feel the at times life can be very unfair, and the people in the world do not make it any easier dealing with what life has thrown your way. With out some kind of encouragement most people give up on life and its struggles.

I believe that some change within the young man had to take place in order for him to accept who he was and his circumstances and to make the best out of every opportunity. Also a change in society and how they viewed him also had to take place, and sometimes it only takes one person in that society to make a great impact in that individual's life.