Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week we have been asked to observe microaggresions around us or think back to a time when we have observed microaggresions. 

I have chosen to write about a microaggression from the past that I have observed.  Being that it is summer and we are remodeling out home,  I haven't been out and about with many people the past few weeks.

Last summer, my family and I visited Disney World for the first time.  Something that was made quite clear to us was that being an English-speaking American there put us in the minority, probably for the first time in our lives.  When we were in line, everyone around us either was speaking a different language or had a foreign accent.  I have to admit that at first, it was a little bit of a shocking feeling.  Never had I been in my own country and felt like the minority.  In hindsight, it was good that I was able to experience what this felt like.

One thing that became apparent were was that since we were there in July, it was a heavy season for tourist groups.  There were many groups from South America.  They traveled around the parks in groups pf 20 or more.  They were quite vocal, would sing out loud in line and quite often would walk right in front of a picture or cut in line with no regard to others.  I have to admit, that after several days of this, my husband and I became quite annoyed.  There was obviously a difference in culture going on.  However, at the tale end of our trip, we encountered the same type of tourist group, although this group seemed to be of Asian decent.  They were quiet in line and didn't push or shove.  My husband made, at the time, what seemed like a compliment.  he said "Look how wonderfully they are acting considering they are tourists."  I went right along with his comment, nodding my head in agreement.  What he was saying was intended to be a compliment towards that group.  However, it ended up being much like Susan's comment in our discussion assignment.  It is obvious that the two groups of tourist s were from different cultures.  We had just deemed the other group as "rude". 

Knowing what I know now, I can see how this was a microaggresion.  We needed not forget that we were tourists there too.  I'm sure many Americans visit foreign places and our culture clashes with theirs.  I believe I understand now to be mindful that just because someone's behaviors our different than ours, that it doesn't necessarily translate into rude behaviors. These unintentional types of comments can be quite hurtful, especially when a person has to hear them again and again over time.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Definitions of Diversity and Culture:

 Ben, age 37, married, no children, nursing student, agnostic:

 Diversity "Being willing to accept and respect other's cultures and beliefs that are not like your own."

Culture: "The expression of one's learned behavior as it pertains to social or ethnic group."

 Terri Lynn , age 50, in a domestic partnership, clothing and jewelry designer, Buddist:

Diversity: "My definition of diversity is inclusion. A variety of opinions, backgrounds, cultures and skin colors. Being exposed to people different than ourselves enhances our lives and learning."

Culture: "My definition of culture is the customs and beliefs of a people. How they live in their daily lives, how they dress and what they eat. And again, being exposed to different cultures enhances our lives and learning."

Sarah, age 35, married, mother of three boys, Christian:

Diversity: "Differences between an otherwise similar group of objects or people."

Culture: "The accepted norms, standards and way of life of a group of people."

Which aspects of culture and diversity that I have studied in this course are included in the answers I received—and what are some examples?

I noticed that the anwsers I received about diversity definitions included more than just accepting someone's ethnic group or race. Terri also made mention of their opinions and that being exposed to other cultures enhances our lives.

Which aspects have been omitted—and what are some examples of such omission?

I did not see anything mentioned about cultures changing or any opinions about what it is like to not be from the dominant culture.  I noticed the ansers were geared more toward the "acceptance of others".  Terri probably came the closest to including more of what we have learned, but from reading the information I gave on her, it is easy to see that she is not a part of the dominant culture and that may be why.

In what ways has thinking about other people’s definitions of culture and diversity influenced my own thinking about these topics?

One thing that stuck out to me was that Ben and Sarah had to really think about what diversity and culture meant to them.  However, for Terri, who is predominantly not from the dominant culture, the answers came more thouroughly and with less hesitation.  I am noticing now, how little about diversity I really knew before this class.  If you would have asked my definition of diversity, I would have mentioned including all races and cultures.  My cultural definition would have been what people are raised to celebrate or their religion.  I am now fully aware that these definitions are off-track.  I am glad that each week I am discovering that there is a lot more involved in being diverse and culturally aware.

My Family Culture

Having to evacuate to a new country with a totally different culture would be quite scary.  If I had to immediately choose three items, I know what I would bring.  First, I would bring a photo album.  I would probably bring the most current one I have.  My family, friends and my memories of them are so very precious to me.  Next, I would bring my Betty Crocker cookbook.  My mother gave it to me when I left home.  She had one just like it that her mother gave her when she moved away as well.  I feel that food and the sharing of it are a big part of my culture. Finally, I would bring my miniature Christmas tree.  Christmas is a very important holiday to me and reminds me so much of family and my special memories and traditions we share.

Now, if I was told upon arrival that I could only keep one, I would keep my photo album.  In those photos I could see those I love and remember all of the special times we've shared.  I would be very upset to have lost the other two items as they are special to me as well.  However, memories about gathering together and sharing good food would still be alive in the pictures I was able to keep.

After reading over what I would pick to keep, it becomes apparent to me how dear i hold family and the special times we share in my culture.  The times when my family gathers together are some of the most precious memories I have.  Not to mention that there is always an abundance of food involved!  I hadn't really made the connection that those items that I hold dear are such an important part of my culture.

When I Think of research...

Initially, when I thought of research, the whole idea of it frightened me.  This class was actually giving me anxiety problems.  However, I now feel much more confident with my knowledge of what research entails and being able to understand research when I read it or should I conduct it myself.


I've learned that research doesn't have to be scary.  I really thought it was quite smart how the steps involved were broken down for us and then in the end, we were able to fit the pieces of the puzzle together to see research as a whole.


I've learned a lot about research in terms of the planning and the timeline of the research.  I hadn't thought before about the time involved in something as simple as conducting an interview.  My attention was also brought to the fact that validity in research is paramount.  Without validity, the study can be a waste.  


There were a few bumps in the road when learning about research for me.  At times, I didn't always understand the text. At first, I would become frustrated, but then i learned to just re-read it again (and sometimes 3 times) until I understood. Next, I also had to learn to be very concise in my statements, especially in my hypothesis.  I learned that this needs to be very narrowed.


In total, I have much more respect for the all of the early childhood professionals that have done research.  I have had to read over many research articles since I started my courses with Walden University.  However, I can say I have a new appreciation and understanding for all the work and preparation that went behind all of the research that in turn we use to make us better educators.

Research Around the World

This week, I visited http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/.


What are some of the current international research topics?
 For this Australian website,I reviewed their research through practice section.  Their research topics seem to mirror many in the U.S.  their topics included bullying, aggression and young children, children as communicators and young children as active learners just to name a few.


What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?
From this website, I learned about the portfolio journey that one researcher suggests will help the early childhood learning journey.  It is suggested that both teachers and children journal about their teaching/learning experience.  It is suggested that this allows both parties to reflect on their understanding and teaching experiences.  Another insight that I've had is that really, even after crossing oceans, issues with children that need to be researched are very similar, especially in Australia.  Our cultures are very much educationally alike.


What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?
This website also contained very valuable information on best support practices with infant sleep.  this caught my eye because I had a child with colic and this child did not sleep through the night until she was 3.  there is information on establishing routines when feeding and being able to tolerate crying in order to self-soothe.  I feel that the more routine you can establish in this are early on, the happier your baby and you will be.  No sleep for baby equals no sleep for mom and that does not produce positive results...trust me!  I really feel this could be helpful to many parents.

Research That Benefits Children and Families-Option1

This week I have found a research article that shows research benefiting children.  This article actually ties into my topic of the benefits of play on children.  This article is entitled, Bully-Proofing Playgrounds During School Recess, by Stephen Leff and J. Munro, PhD.  This article intrigues me because it is yet another link to making play successful and a learning opportunity.  if a child is being bullied, then negative connotations are then associated with play.


The authors' study took place in a large,K-4, urban, Philadelphia elementary school.  The authors describe the "low-level" aggression that takes place on the playground at this school.  Examples of low-level aggression include teasing, hitting, pushing or threatening.  Often, this can be worse in inner-city schools as they can be under-staffed on the playgrounds and usually have less equipment for all of the children to play on.  The authors noted that many schools have no plan in play that promotes positive social-skills on the playground. The authors suggest that schools devise a plan to empower those in charge of recess to be able to handle situations that arise in a positive manner and working with communities and schools to better construct, design and equip children's playgrounds.


How can this be done?  the authors took their research on what makes successful play and met with school staff and administrators and community stake-holders to devise an intervention plan for implementation on the playground. they took concerns of the children and their families to help devise this plan to meet the needs of the children at that particular school.


The plan they devised included coming up with more activities that children could play cooperatively and with not so much aggression.  they also wanted to promote better relationships between children of different ethnic backgrounds on the playground. Playground monitors were also given training on how to handle playground situations and how to structure activities that would promote positive play.  Students were informed of the changes that would be taking place at recess and they were also informed of the expectations that they would be held to at recess.


The results were a success.  The researchers came back to the school the following year.  They observed 32 different recess periods.They found that having structured activities helped with positive socialization and less aggression among students.  Also, with adults monitoring the activities and being an active presence during play, rather than standing on the sidelines, children of different ethnic backgrounds played more cooperatively together.


This article is definite proof of how researchers were able to make a positive impact on children through their research.  It also shows that research can be beneficial without being intrusive or hurtful to the children it used in the research.


References:


Leff, S. and Munro, J (2011).  retrieved on May 19, 2012 from  http://www.education.com/reference/article/promoting-social-skills-prevent-bullying/?page=3

My Personal Research Jopurney

I have to admit that just the title of this course intimidated me.  However, over the past 2 weeks, I feel that I am starting to feel more comfortable with the research process. At first I expected to be utterly overwhelmed, but it seems as though the process is being broken down in steps for us, and made much easier to digest!  I have really learned a lot already about the different terminology associated with research.  I didn't realize that a research topic could be researched from so many points-of-view or aspects (paradigms)


For my topic, I have chosen how play contributes to cognitive development.  All too often it seems as though playtime is slowly being taken from classrooms.  I feel as though if more policy-makers and the public in general could see that there is a positive link between the two, then maybe a change in favor of play could take place.  Too many people see play as a frivolous activity instead of the important role in really plays in a child's life.


I can't say that at this point I have a great deal of advise to pass on.  The Walden Library has been very helpful to far as has Google Scholar in case anyone needed more resources.  Any insights you could give on the research process would be extremely helpful to me!!!