Blog Assignment: Time Well Spent

Blog Assignment:  Time Well Spent

My favorite quote is:

“I continue to believe that if children are given the necessary tools to succeed, they will succeed beyond their wildest dream”.

By: David Vitter, U.S. Senator

This has been a great journey. I began this program thinking that I knew everything it was to know about the early childhood field and this would be just a recap of what I already knew. I found that I did not know what I thought I knew.  I take away from this program knowing there are a lot of other professionals that share the passion for children. I learn the importance of getting pass ones’ own biases and providing children with the best quality care.  Lastly, I learn how important it is to surround yourself with people or the ideal communities of practice that can help you succeed in the early childhood field.

One of my long term goals is to continue my journey and do all I can to make sure children and families receive the best quality of care possible.

To my instructor Dr. Davis and my fellow colleagues it has been a great journey. I have learned so much throughout this program. Many things have happen on this journey, but I have continued to move forward and finally have come to the end. I never thought I would complete this program, but through the encouragement of my family and friends I made it. I wish my colleagues much success and good luck to you all. Feel free to contact at redroom3s@yahoo.com or  http://tonettab.blogspot.com

Tonetta Bogard- Marion

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: Internationally

Save the Children

This organization goes into countries and meets the needs the children

It not really job opportunity, but it would be great to go into countries and volunteer and work with children.

Academy for Educational Development

They have a commitment to partnership on every level and their multidisciplinary approach enables to have a lasting impact on individuals, communities, and countries they serve.

Job opportunities

It would be great to go into countries and volunteer and work with children who are in need.

I think the skill that I am learning within the Master Program would help me in education of the young children. Other aspects I would work with other volunteers and find what I can do help the children who are in need.

Our commitment to partnerships at every level and our multidisciplinary approach enable us to have lasting impactpact for the individuals, communities and countries we serve

References:

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.unicef.org/

Save the Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm

        

        

Academy for Educational Development. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.aed.org/en/index.htm

Blog Assignment: Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal

The three national/federal organization that appealed to me is the

National Child Care Association because it promotes the growth and safeguard the interest of quality early childhood care and education focusing on licensed, private providers of these services.

National Association for the Education of Young Children has a commitment to the rights and interests of all children. In that regard, NAEYC believes that individuals in the early childhood field should be hired, employed, promoted, and if necessary, terminated based solely on their competence and qualifications to perform their designated duties, and not on the basis of their gender, race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, age, marital status/family structure (including same sex unions or domestic partnerships), disability, sexual orientation, or any basis prohibited by law.

The National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education (ncrece) focuses on conducting research, disseminating research findings, and carrying out leadership activities aimed at improving the quality of early childhood education across the United States

Job Opportunities that interest me

Being an early childhood educator within our local Head-Start

Educating other professional in the early childhood field

Skills and experience I would need to competently fulfill each of these roles is completing my master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies because my degree is in Business.

Reference:

National Child Care Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.nccanet.org/

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.naeyc.org/

National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The three organizations or communities of practice that appealed to me are the Headstart Program, Hope Village, and the local Department of Human Services.

The HeadStart Program provides a quality program for low-income families. They provide monthly workshop to help families become better parents. They also have a Early Child Care program for low- income families with infant children. The Head Start program also allows the parents to volunteer their time in their child or children class room. Sometimes when the parents volunteer it leads to a full-time position.

Hope Village is shelter that provides housing for families who need assistants. These families who have children in the school system are providing with uniforms and the agency works alone with the school to make sure they have everything they need to function in the class. They also provide a clothes closet for the parents who are going on interviews for jobs.

The Local Department of Human Service also works with the school to make sure no children are neglected. When the school report an incident they work with school administrator to make sure those children receive the help they need.

I currently work in administration within the school system. We only have one pre-k program within our school. I hope that the school system will expand the pre-k program and I get the opportunity to work within the school system. My second option is to work within the Head Start Program when an opening comes available.

Skill and experiences I will need is to complete the master’s program and get a job within the early childhood field where I can take what I have learn and put it to work.

Reflecting on Learning

My passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional and the children and families who I will work is simple, as I have said in the beginning I want to be the voice for children and families who do not have a voice. It is also my hope to create a program where all the needs of every child and their family will be met.

To my colleagues it has been a pleasure to share with each you throughout this program. I have enjoyed sharing through the discussions and blog assignment. I learned so much throughout this program and from you all. I wish you all luck in the future.  I hope to keep in touch with you all. Good luck again to you all as some of you begin or continue your early childhood education career.

Tonetta Bogard- Marion

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

The area of the world I chose was Eastern and Southern Africa. The reason I chose the Eastern and Southern African is because children in these regions many children living with disabilities are denied their right to education. They are also more likely to drop out of school and have lower learning achievements than other children

The challenges that children in this region of the world are confronting  was a great failure of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), that it didn’t specify the need to include children with disabilities.

These experiences might have an effect on children’s emotional wellbeing and development by

African countries have failed to fulfill this obligation, and children with disabilities are left out of the education system.

My personal and professional reflection and insights I gained as an early childhood professiona; that it that children with disabilities in other countries as well as in the United States are not receiving the help they need.

Reference:

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/bege_62637.html

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

After reading the article I was surprised and amazed how early sexualization is introduced to children.  What was amazing to me is that things that I didn’t even think of at the age of 8 children exposed to so much more than I ever dream of.

The example of sexualization is the extent that parents go to make their daughter look older for beauty contest. I once had the opportunity to be a judge for a beauty contest for children of age of year old to fourteen.  I sit there in amazement to the extent parents go to make their children look older and more sexual. Some of the children I noticed didn’t even want to be there and were so unhappy.

I think these messages confuse children and have negative impact on their development especially as it relates to children and sexualization.

I have always felt that children should be allowed to be children. I feel as a future early childhood educator we should provide an environment that allows children to be children. Children should be made to feel special.

Reference:

Levin, D.E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: 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/sosecysosoon/introduction.pdf.

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

The –ism that I expect for children and families probably will be racism. I work in a predominately African-American school system. I see other races slowly entering into the school system. The African-American children are not embracing the change. I have seen some of the African-American children tell the white children “Why don’t you go back to the private school you came from?  It is hard breaking to hear these types of comments coming from children.

I remember when I worked as a second grade assistant and we were discussing bullying. The children were talking what they had learned about bullying in character education.  Myrtle a little told us that she had been bullying sense she was in kindergarten because she was white. I sat there for a moment thinking I had always heard about and experience racism as an African-American, but to see it from someone else prospective  really made me reflect on how so many are affected by racism.

It is not only African-American children and families that are affected by racism. Racism is something many people are face with on a day to day basic. I want to teach children and their families that racism is wrong and everyone deserves to be treated fairly no matter the color of their skin.

Observing Communication

My observation occurred at Holly Primary School in the pre-k class room. The age of students in the classroom was four year olds turning five or already five years old. During the observation I noticed that the students and teachers maintain eye contact when the students approached the teacher or the teacher approached the students. I could tell there was a neutral respect and trust between the students and teachers within the classroom setting.

As the teacher began her program there was one student who wasn’t interacting during the day’s lesson. The teacher stated that, “this was not normal behavior for this particular student. The teacher call the student to the side looking the student directly in the eye while placing her hand on his back softly asking the student what was wrong. The student did not say anything at first, but he finally open up telling the teacher he did not feel well.

My observation and my talk with the teacher I found that her communication with her students were similar to the article, Communicating with Babies. The classroom teacher acknowledges all the students by name. When the student was not acting normal the teacher immediately wanted to know what was going on with this student. I found the way the teacher communicated with the classroom was very accepting.

As I reflect on what I learn and observe this week I hope to create a program that will keep the lines of communication open and always keeping the students apart of the communicating process.

Creating Affirming Environment

The elements, I think I would want to include in my child care setting are items that honors families diversity both within and beyond own identity group. In order to create such a setting, it is important to get to know the children and families to better serve them.  Ask questions about what they want and expect from the childcare program. Once you have gain their trust and understand their needs, I would make sure the classroom is full of learning materials, books, puzzles, that will reflect their diverse background that will  make them feel comfortable within the program.

I think Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010), p.51 said it best “Relationships and interactions with children and families, the visual and material environment, and the daily curriculum all come together to create the anti-bias learning community. This does not happen overnight it takes time and hard work but every step we take counts. Together they add up to creating a learning community that truly nurtures and support all, children, and that makes our efforts worthwhile and exciting.”

Reference:

Derman-Sparks, L , Olsen Edwards, J., Richards, B. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. National Association for the Education of Young Children. Washington, DC.

What I Have Learned

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is simple. As a future early childhood educator I want to provide a program that will allow children and families the opportunity to be able to feel comfortable in the classroom environment.

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to make sure all educators are prepared for these issues as they occur.  This goal can be met by providing workshops and programs that will address these issues of diversity, equity, and social justice.

I would like to thank the instructor and colleagues for the insights given to me throughout this course. I have enjoyed the discussions and blog assignment. I have learned so much. Good luck to everyone as we continue this journey.

Tonetta Bogard- Marion

Creating Art

Human Family
Poem by Dr. Maya Angelou
Read at the dedication of the Disney Millennium Village

I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.
Some declare their lives are lived
as true profundity,
and others claim they really live
the real reality.

The variety of our skin tones
can confuse, bemuse, delight,
brown and pink and beige and purple,
tan and blue and white.
I've sailed upon the seven seas
and stopped in every land.
I've seen the wonders of the world,
not yet one common man.

I know ten thousand women
called Jane and Mary Jane,
but I've not seen any two
who really were the same.
Mirror twins are different
although their features jibe,
and lovers think quite different thoughts
while lying side by side.

We love and lose in China,
we weep on England's moors,
and laugh and moan in Guinea,
and thrive on Spanish shores.
We seek success in Finland,
are born and die in Maine.
In minor ways we differ,
in major we're the same.

I note the obvious differences
between each sort and type,
but we are more alike, my friends
than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: “We Don’t Say Those Words in Class!”

I can recall a time when I was the lead three year old teacher at a preschool and we were all sitting in a circle discussion the day’s lesson. A little boy got up from his seat and out of blue start saying with his hand raised in the air white power. I sit there for moment speechless. So, I asked him What did you say? He repeated it again white power. I was floored from his comment. I told him that that was not a nice thing to say.  He really did not understand what he had or why I telling him that it was not a nice thing to say.  I went and got the director and told her what he said. She immediately called his parents and told them what he had said. That afternoon when they came in they were in shocked and embarrassed about his comments. They apologize for comments in the classroom. They explained to me that they were watching the David Chappel Show and they thought that he was sleep in his room and during this episode   Chappel does a skit about men talking about white power. They guess that he overheard what was said and repeated the next day.  They were very embarrassed and continue to apologize.

I think I handle it in the appropriate matter, because he didn’t know what he was saying. The little boy was just repeating what he had heard the other night.

An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child would be to just listen. Stay calm and interested. Figure out what the child wants to know. It may not be what the question appears to be on the surface. Listen for feelings behind the words. Answer matter-of-factly and simply. Use language appropriate to the child’s developmental understanding. Always respond and always follow up. Decide whether a particular child’s question warrants follow-up activities with all the children (Sparks & Edwards, 2010).

Reference:

Derman-Sparks, L., Edwards, J., Hoffman, E., (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

My respond to a parent or family member who inform me they did not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and or interacting with their child is by reassuring them that their sexual orientation should not have any bearing on their child or children receiving a high quality education. I would also inform them that they are entitled to their opinion.  After reassuring them that sexual orientation of the educators should not be problem and give them the option of finding another program that can meet their families’ needs.

My opinion on the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individual such as same- sex partnered families is at this age children are beginning to discover themselves and the sexual orientation of families should not be an issue in my opinion. I haven’t read any children books or watch any DVD that deal with the topics of gay or lesbian individuals. I think before implementing this into your curriculum, this has to be discussed with faculty, staff, and parents. As a whole I don’t feel this should be addressed in the early childhood program unless it has to be addressed.

Reference:

Laureate, (2010). "Start Seeing Diversity: Gender  "Start Seeing Diversity: Sexual Orientation

Reflecting on Communication in the Early Childhood Field - Blog Assignment

As I moved on into my specialization I take with me what I have learned through the many experiences of my colleagues throughout this course and other courses I have taken. I have learned the importance of being an effective communicator. We all have as a team worked together to get through this course.  The helpful information that I have gained can be used as resources throughout my early childhood career. I have a limited amount of experience in the early childhood field, but I hope what I do know has help my colleagues on their journey as well. I wish my colleagues much success on their journey. If you ever need anything my information is listed below

Yahoo e-mail: redroom3s@yahoo.com

Hot-mail:  tmarion1970@hotmail.com

Work e-mail: tmarion@hssdk.12ms.us

The Adjourning Phase

It was not necessarily the high performing groups that was the hardest to leave for me. I have worked in groups that were a struggle from beginning to end. We couldn’t seem to agree on anything.  I remember the friend I made and things we finally got accomplished through our struggles.  When we finally got to the end of class and presented our group project it was a bitter sweet ending to a lot of hard work. We all form lasting friendships with classmate just by working in a group.

I guess a ritual for me would be at the end of a project we all thank one another for the contribution we all put into making the project work or not work. We always discuss what we all could have done differently to make the project better. We ended all class and group’s projects by saying see in you in next course.

I really don’t know how I will adjourn from the colleagues I have met through this master’s program. I hope I have form lasting friendships with a group of individual who shared the love and passion for children. It has been a wonderful journey.

Adjourning for me is essential stage of teamwork because no matter how good a team works together eventually you have move on. It saying that I heard a lot and I am sure you have heard it to, “All Good Things Must Come to an End.”

Disagreements or conflicts

The only conflict or miscommunication that I have experience is every month we have to send monthly reports into the state. These records determine if our schools are funded. Each school has a clerk that submits the report. I work with the high school clerk who thinks her way of doing the records are the only correct way of doing them. I tried to explain to her if I do them a little different I still get the same results. She kind of still believed her way is the only way of getting them done, because she has done the same job for over twelve years.

In order to resolve this conflict I used the 3R’s. I reminded her that everyone does their jobs in a different way. Even though she had twelve years of experience I still had to learn how to do it my own way and feel comfortable doing the job.  I do respect her opinion. I have learned so much from her and I trusted her ability to get the job done because of her many years of experience doing the job. I wanted to gain her trust in me and my abilities to the job my way and get the same results.  After she saw that I knew what I was doing the feeling of the job being done and reports getting in on time, the feeling of trust were reciprocal for the both of us. 

Evaluating Communication

The similarities between how I evaluated myself as a communicator and how my husband and co worker evaluated me as a communicator was surprising because they both knew me so well. The scores in each category were very similar to my own evaluation. They both knew my weaknesses and what I needed to work on.  As we discuss their score and my own score they were amaze at the similarities.

The two insights I gained about communication this week is First, the communication anxiety inventory gave me a explanation on why I feel a bit uneasy in some communication situation Second, the evaluation made me take a good look at the many things I need to work on as it relates to communication.

Communicating Differently

I haven’t had much experience with communicating with people of different cultures. I look forward to get the opportunity to work with people of different cultures in the very near future.

The three strategies that I will use when I get the opportunity to work with people of different cultures are:

1. Consider asking more question than I normally would if I were interacting face to face to clarify meanings and the interpretation of message

2. Use “small talk” and comments about the weather, what your typical day is like, and other low-level disclosures to build a relationship. Then look for reciprocal responses from your communication partner that indicate a relationship is naturally evolving.

3. I will summarize and paraphrase messages that you receive more often than you might normally, in order to increase the accuracy of message content.

Reference

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Blog Assignment: Week Two

The show I watched was Psych on the USA television network.

Watching the show without sound:

The relationship between the characters watching the show without the sound on seems to show that the two main characters were partners. One of the main characters through the body language seems to be the one doing all the talking. They were always together. One of the main characters seems confused about the statements the other one made from his facial expression. It seems through the non-verbal communication without the sound on that they had a great working relationship.

Watching the show with the sound on:

The two main characters were indeed partners. The main character Shawn was the one doing the most of the talking because he was a so-called psychic and he thought he had all the answers.  Gus was not confused but always gave funny facial expressions when Shawn spoke. Because Shawn and Gus were partners, they were always together. Watching the show with sounds, I observed even though one of main character talked constantly they had a great working relationship.

The assumptions I made was about the main character Gus who’s facial expressions seem to show he was confused about what his partner was saying. What I found interesting when watching the show with the sound on was that facial expression can mean many different things. That why people should never make assumption about what someone is saying because their facial expression may mean one thing but really mean something very different.

I think it would not have been fair to do a show you watch often. You know how the characters interact with one another. Therefore, with or without verbal communication you could figure out what is going on.

I learn through this assignment that you may or may not be able to read facial expressions, hand gestures, or other forms of non-verbal communication. This was a great experience. I enjoyed trying to figure out what the characters were saying without the sound on. I was amazed that I was able to figure some of the non-verbal communication when the sound was off and on.

Reference

Adapted from O’Hair & Wisemann, 2009. Real Communication. p.128.

Blog Assignment Week One

One of my undergraduate professors Dr. Oliver demonstrated competent communication within several courses I took under him. Dr. Oliver had a way of getting your attention and keeping it. He was passionate about his work and he loved lecturing. I always enjoyed his classes. Even though his class was a 6:00 to 9:30 evening class, I did not mind going because he kept my attention throughout the entire class. It was a joy listening to his lectures. Dr. Oliver successfully uses symbols, signs, and behaviors to exchange information to engage his students to want more and learn more (Hair & Wiemann, 20). Because of his effective communication as professor, he made me want to work harder and to become effective communicator who is able to reach other.

Reference

O’Hair, D, & Wiemann,  M. (2009). Real communication. New  York: Bedford/St. Martins.

            pp. 3-28.