The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)
In all of my academic endeavors, my hope is that I become a better educator, provider, and advocate for children and their families.  Families from diverse backgrounds already have to face adversity from multiple avenues.  If I can be any assistance to and for them, I will consider myself successful.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length)
One goal that I would like to see that the early childhood field, in general, become more flexible.  Many ece professionals like to approach all children the same.  I have met many families who left other centers because they did not feel they were valued.  Each family is special and should be celebrated for their individuality and uniqueness. 

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues
Over the last 8 weeks, I have had the pleasure of reading the works of some of this worlds most wonderful minds.  I appreciate how I have been able to learn and grow as an educator from their points of view.  I have adopted some of their philosophies and approaches.  I thank each and every one of them for making me better.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The family I chose is from Bangladesh
The riverine country of Bangladesh (“Land of the Bengals”) is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and its people are predominantly Muslim. The family is central to one’s social life in Bangladesh, forming the basis of individuals’ support networks. 
The general approach to family ties is communal, and people often act in the best interests of the community rather than based on their individual preferences. Generally, children are expected to consult their parents on major life choices such as their education and marriage. This is slowly changing, with some people making decisions without deliberating with their parents.  The most common family unit in Bangladesh is called the ‘barhi’. This consists of a husband and wife, their unmarried children, and their adult sons with their wives and children.   it is common to find married sons living in their parents’ household during the father’s lifetime, and grandparents may also be present depending on the family’s economic and personal situation. While sons often build separate houses for their nuclear families, they remain under their father’s authority.


At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family

• I will commit to learning about this family.  Ask questions, talk with parents, community members and colleagues, read books, watch movies, listen to music.  
• Develop cohesive and comprehensive multicultural curricula in general.  Show and celebrate all cultures equally.  Ensure that the family understands that everyone is valued in the classroom environment. 
• Show respect to all backgrounds and cultures. By respecting cultural differences and adding education related to the culture of the students, programs become inclusive.
• Be aware of your own actions and working to shift your mindset into ones that are culturally inclusive and open-minded.
• Show no bias or judgment.  Give the children an opportunity to use their voice and talk about themselves and their families.  Include their family in the classroom.

A brief statement describing in what ways you hope that these preparations will benefit both you and the family

Using the aforementioned steps, I can build a better relationship with the families and the children.  It opens the doors of positive communication.  the children will be enthusiastic about learning and coming to class.  the parents will be relieved of the stress of worrying about who is caring for their child.  I will ensure that they understand that I embrace their culture and teach tolerance and respect to the children.  By embracing implementing culturally responsive teaching principles effectively, my classroom environment can become a more positive learning environment for all of your students it all starts with me.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

Everyday I am faced with bias prejudice and oppression.  I have learned to ignore it mostly.  But everytime that it occurs I ask myself, Did that just happen? Did that happen to me? And like my mother says I have to make a decision, take time to confront the bias or prejudice or leave it alone.  I am always at the crossroads of choosing my battles.  It has happened in my social life, as I watched television, in my educational endeavors and professionally.  In each experience, I have to think if it is worth the battle and possible consequence of confrontation, or if I can live with it and be minimally affected.   Sadly more often than naught, I choose to live with it and focus on other things.

For years, one of my favorite movies was Sixteen candles. I have watched this movie many times.  However, I watched it recently and a feeling of disgust overcame me and I was very disappointed and vowed to never watch the movie again.  There is a part where all of the teenagers are having a party at one of of the main characters home.  The children were underage drinking and one of the antagonist females had way too much to drink and visibly impaired.  In order for the heartthrob in the movie to get what he wanted, he traded her to someone who was a virtual stranger to him.  He even said you can do whatever you want to her.  The young man did in fact do whatever he wanted with her.  He stopped to see his friends and attempted to take photographs of her.  The movie even alluded to a sexual encounter that she could not have consented to in her condition.  As I watched this movie I thought about how many times the writers of the movie felt is was okay to repeatedly victimize the female character.   Not only did it make light of a very real issue in our world then and now, it promoted rape culture.  I had never before paid attention to how wrong this idea was.  But because of the recent focus on cultural appropriateness, it was a flashing red light.  Hopefully, the media has matured from this type of senseless and harmful humor.   Women are not things to be passed around and treated however, men choose.  This attitude has been reiterated by the President of the United States, as well as many prominent figures of Hollywood and government.  This type of thinking is antiquated and in my opinion evil.
As an African American woman, I am often faced with the decision of whether to be for racial equality or women's rights.  I am a survivor of sexual assault and when I see the issue of women's rights glossed over as a trend, or being made into a joke,  I become angry. Young girls should not have to learn to be silent and take maltreatment from men or anyone.   It is my goal to empower young women and help them understand their rights as women and their strength.  I will walk beside and behind anyone who moves with the intent to fight the injustices against women. 

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

Each day that I venture into the world I am faced with microaggression from a variety of unexpected places and people. Microaggressions are typically defined as subtle snubs, slights, and insults directed toward minorities, as well as to women and other historically stigmatized groups, that implicitly communicate or at least engender hostility.  Most recently, I was in the beauty supply store and another female came to me and touched my hair and said my hair was very urban and she could never get away with wearing her hair like “you”.  I asked her not to touch my hair.  It was presumptuous and a violation of my personal space.  I felt that her comment was microinsulting and trying to use a compliment to insult me.  I did not know what I wanted to say all I know is that I was angry and insulted.  I wanted to yell and curse at the lady and tell her how inappropriate she was behaving, however what I chose to do is say, “Please do not touch my hair” and I thanked her for her compliment and went to the counter.  I really was aggravated that I continually have to deal with this behavior. It seems everywhere I turn, people within the dominant culture use microaggressions in their communications with me.  It makes me not want to interact at all.  I really feel that after the course text this week and additional reading by Dr. Derald Sue, I am more aware when I have microaggressions in my interactions.  I am also more aware of my own word choice and microaggression.  When you know better you do better.  I would suggest anyone and everyone to read a book by Dr. Sue titled Race talk and the Conspiracy of Silence.  Understanding and facilitating difficult dialogues on race.  It is a very informative read. 

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

The friends and colleagues I asked for assistance were people who I knew were open and willing to be honest about their opinion.  Each person is different from me and have different opinions from me.  I asked each person how they wanted to be identified explaining to them about social identity adding to their personal culture.  I was intrigued in how they assigned themselves to the social groups. 

 Ask each person to share: Their ideas definition of culture and diversity. I chose to omit their names.

Person 1 Female, 41, Moroccan, Muslim

Definition of culture: The passing down of tradition from generation to generation. Living and upholding the moral integrity and values set.  

Definition of diversity: Moroccans welcoming and respectful people towards different cultures, ideas, and ways of life.  We are a country made up of different religions and languages.  Diversity means people come from different cultures but co-exist as a community.

Person 2 Female, African American, 38, Bipolar, Christian, Republican

Definition of culture:  Family customs, and people who share common backgrounds, and faiths and core beliefs.

Definition of diversity.  Acceptance of peoples, ideas, and cultures

Person 3 Male, Caucasian, Mormon, 34, Father

Definition of culture: culture is who you are and what you believe.  My culture encompasses everything I am.  My faith in The Father, I am Mormon. My role as a father and a husband and a son, the values I instill in my children.  My role as a father and the example I set for my family is my culture. 

Definition of diversity: Diversity is about seeing and being different from one another. 

Reflecting on their answers from these very different people their answers are very similar.  Though the constructs of their culture varies, the importance they place on the surface aspects of their culture is universal. 
Each of the participants placed value on their family, their religion, and their cultural group.  They all did not identify social characteristics as major contributing factors of their culture.  Two of the participants used the words values and morals as an aspect of their culture.  However, they did identify cultural groups such as being female, Republican, a father and even being Bipolar.  These social identities contribute to their culture and these characteristics are influenced by their culture.  They saw their importance when it came to identifying themselves but did not include these aspects in their definitions of culture and diversity. 

Neither of the participants chose an activity as a part of their culture.  They did not really emphasize on race or a specific ethnicity when speaking on diversity.  They chose to focus on having respect for those that are different.

What I really took from the conversations with these individuals is how we may be different on the outside, and come from different cultures, however we all think alike in regards to showing respect to others.  I fully expected there to be more drastic differences because stereotypically these cultural groups are polar opposites.  What I was happy to find out is once the stereotypes and assumptions are put away, most people hold the same things at value.  They approach their culture with the same passion as everyone else.  That to me is the truest celebration of diversity.  You accept and respect the culture of others while holding dear and embracing yours.

My Family Culture

The question posed to me in this week’s assignments is to identify three items that represent my family culture. As I pondered the question, I realized that my family does not revel in possessions.  We do not pass down heirlooms.  There are not many items that I would say represents my family’s culture.  My family consists of many different cultures, religions, and ethnicities.  We are diverse within ourselves.  Therefore, no singular item could adequately represent my family’s culture.  It is embedded in us through experience and passing down stories arbitrarily. When we gather we reminisce with pictures.  Those pictures lead into stories of times together in our youth or our parent’s youths. My grandmothers would use the pictures to tell us about how she grew up and how our family began.  We laugh and sometimes cry.  If I had to take anything that would represent my family’s culture, I would take a family album that depicts many of our family’s events and identifying generations of family members who are no longer living.  This would be my only item that I would take.  My family could host as all items in one.  It serves as a reminder to me of those I hold most dear.  It is a memory trigger of times enjoyed and lessons learned.  I can use this album to explain to others in my new community the people who helped structure my identity.  “When we find ourselves in the midst of another culture, or when we must interact with someone from a different culture, we discover that the way we do things is not the only way” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 55).  This item would catalog my life and the lives of others through picture. It would allow me to introduce myself to the new members of the community.  It is a good representation of the type of culture I come from.  It is a manifestation of my family culture of love without conditions, unwavering support, and pride.  I could spend hours telling anyone about my family.

 

I think that my feelings upon arriving to a new country with a different culture and language would be at first anxiety.  Not knowing what to expect or how I would maneuver through this new environment successfully.   Knowing that my family album could stay with me, I would be relieved, as I would use those pictures to take my mind to happier times.  Seeking familiarity is comforting in an uncomfortable situation.  That is why in my school we have family trees with pictures.  The children get to see their family and have pride in themselves and for their family.

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. Washington DC: NAEYC.

When I Think of Research...

For so many they are unaware what Quality Rating and Improvement Systems are. A QRIS is designed to measure, rate, and disseminate information about the quality of early care and education programs including licensed child care centers, home based programs, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and state prekindergarten programs. A QRIS publishes tiered quality ratings using “stars” or other quality designations for the tiers for each participating program based on its performance on quality standards related to curriculum, assessment, the learning and caregiving environment, staff-child interaction, family engagement, staff qualifications, and administrative practices. 

Why is this important in the field of early childhood?

There are so many benefits for young children and their families when they are enrolled in a center that has been quality rated.  QRIS are intended to improve the quality of early and school-age care and education programs through the alignment and coordination of systemwide initiatives. A QRIS may offer States several opportunities:

• Increase quality of early care and education services.
• Increase parents’ understanding and demand for higher quality early care and education.
• Increase professional development opportunities, benchmarks, and rewards for a range of early care and education practitioners and providers.
• Create a cross-sector framework that can link standards, technical assistance, monitoring, finance, and consumer engagement for programs in a range of settings, including family child care homes, child care centers, school-based programs, Head Start programs, early intervention, and others.
• Develop a roadmap for aligning many pieces of the early care and education system, such as child care licensing, prekindergarten and Head Start program oversight, national program accreditation, early learning guidelines, subsidy administration, technical assistance, training, quality initiatives, professional development systems, and others.

Those who would benefit from my research simulation are the students and their families.  I also believe that teachers, and administrators also benefit from being quality rated.  The students benefit from an improved environment, highly trained teachers, new and improved teaching techniques and a more relaxed environment.  This lends itself to help boost healthy development and school readiness.  Teachers benefit from being better trained and the ability to find new methods that may be more effective.  

What I have realize is as teachers we conduct research every day.  We research activities, we observe their behavior, we conduct focus groups when trying to identify the wants and needs of the students and their families.  Research and early childhood goes hand and hand.  Education is a world that changes each week.  There is a new method, or technique and research study trying to target the best way to interact and teach children.  I can admit that I have never really paid much attention to the efforts and the intricacies of research studies, however learning what I have about how data can be collected and use to highlight a specific topic and gather the desired results, I have gain a deeper respect for researchers and the research they conduct.  Even though I was intimidated by the content at first, I appreciate the education I have received throughout this course and I am looking forward to implementing some of the methods and approaches in my smaller but focused research.

Research Around the World

This week I was tasked with reading about international research topics.  I chose to review the topics addressed on the website Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php .  I was delighted to find so many informative articles written to highlight the needs and interests of many African Nations.  So many of the articles focused on issues that are common in the united states.  For example, in Ghana they are researching supervision of Early childhood environments and in Eritrea they are concerned with the quality of childcare through training and involving parents.  Here we also research how parent involvement improves the quality of the childcare experience for the children. The research paper that stood out to me is the study in Malawi that discussed the development and implementation of the National Action plan for the children in Malawi.  The objective of the project was to facilitate implementation of national policies designed to ensure efficient and effective care, protection, development and participation of the young and the vulnerable children in Malawi. The project involved the identification of strategies for coordinating the development and implementation of a
2003-2013 National Action Plan (NAP) for the Survival, Protection and Development of Children in Malawi, facilitating the development of the NAP, including strategic activities that are aimed at providing care and development to all children without any discrimination.  This issue is very similar to the research I have done on the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) and its intended purpose. 

 What I found most surprising is that there are little to no differences in the approaches to the ones in the United States.  It behooves me how people can believe that we are so different because we reside in different countries. However, what is evident is that the overall intent is to produce methods and approaches in policies that best benefit the children.  The website allowed me to see how using the culture and the indigenous stories can be added as a benefit to influence the communities to participate and support early learning programs in the different countries.

Another great study that I found very intriguing is   Involving Fathers in Early Childhood Care and Development by Rosemary Hua.  This article explained how the perception of only women should rear the children and it is a woman's job. "In most Nigerian cultures, the responsibility of taking care of young children is seen as that of women rather than men. This indicates that bringing up children is regarded as a subordinate role, rather than a complementary one. During one of the training workshops in a community, one of the fathers made a statement that “caring for little children by men does not enhance the self-image of the man.” Furthermore, a caregiver in an ECD program in one of the communities reported that a lot of children who constantly absent themselves from the centre-based activities have been traced to  2 those with fathers who are less supportive of the program. This lack of support is also associated with lower developmental performance levels by the children" (Hua 1986).  What is expected of the men in this community is to provide, make decisions and protect their families, while women are nurturers. These roles are culturally assigned to them at birth. There was very low expectation from fathers in raising children. The terms of reference in this study did not permit us to find out whether the fathers actually provide for their families or otherwise.  After participating in this study some of the older fathers agreed that their presence in early learning environments was beneficial to the children.  They were able to provide the children with role models.  It is very similar to how many men in my life feel similarly.  Asking more men to interact in early childhood programs may change their perceptions of their roles in early childhood education or in parenting.  This could result in more male teachers and active fathers in the lives of the children each day.

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

What I have learned about research is not all research is centered around medical advances.  There are studies that are developed to help improve policy dictate how policies are implemented and/or evaluate policy and practices' effect on the citizens of our nation.  Most recently I was able to review a research study that evaluated the affect of the QRIS system on young children and their families.  This was intended to be a minimal risk research study to test how the Quality Rating and Improvement System works in each early learning program.

During the research timetable the practitioners introduced the QRIS to early learning programs in low-income areas.  With increased investment in QRIS research and evaluation and greater pressure to demonstrate QRIS effectiveness, it is critical to develop a strategic plan for new QRIS research and evaluation that addresses pressing and vexing questions about QRIS design, connections of QRIS to other early childhood system components, and outcomes (expected and unexpected).  The first step in collaborative research that focused on the outcomes of QRIS was the development of new logic models that specify not only ultimate outcomes for children (e.g., school readiness) but also outcomes for families, programs, practitioners, and systems. Outcomes at these levels will support the ultimate goal of improving children’s outcomes. 

In the aspect of positive research this research study was introduced to promote educational change for the children.  "Our paramount responsibility is to provide care and education in settings that are safe, healthy, nurturing, and responsive for each child"(NAEYC, 2011).  They were participants in they attended a school that was undergoing an improvement of quality and practice.  There was little to no direct harm placed on the children.  We all know that children benefit from attending high-quality early learning programs.  This study transformed into a quality program.

My Personal Research Journey

I am a lover of information.  Before I make any decision I do research.  I look into restaurants, hotels, cars, food recipe ingredients, makers of clothing just to name a few.  I like to make educated decisions so when it comes to my profession I enjoy research and collaboration.  I appreciate the advice and recommendations of those more versed than myself.  Since being in school, I have become accustomed with researching and locating credible resources to help complete my assignments.  I often read additional and unassigned chapters in course literature for my personal acquisition of knowledge. At first I thought that doing these blogs were a way for the university to assign "busy work" and it was unnecessary.  I have since changed my mind and it falls in line with my appreciation of research.  I have been able to learn and gain additional resources from my classmates.  That for me is an invaluable benefit.

In the short 2 weeks that I have been in this course it has proven me wrong.  Before I would have labeled myself a pro at research. However,  I would be very wrong in assigning myself that label.  I am learning so many important details when locating and identifying credible sources that I was previously unaware.  The knowledge is not beneficial just for my education but for my professional  and personal life as well.  What stands out for me is how value is placed on citing and references.  In the back of my mind I always felt that a point of view had more merit when validated by a expert in the field, historian or scholar of some sort.  I love clarity.  The research chart has given me understanding and clarity.  Every point of view is is valued when there is clarity.  Going forward I know that I will use the Walden Library and especially the Eric database.  It provides articles, studies and research papers centered toward education.  It has been an vital resource in my undergrad studies as well as my Graduate studies.  I hope you all find it as useful as I have. I am providing the link to it so that you can investigate it in your own time.   ERIC and Education Source Combined Search

Issues and Trends in the Early Childhood Field Final Blog

• Learning about international early childhood has been enlightening and informative.  I would not consider the knowledge that I have gained as a consequence.  However, once you learn something and have been informed you cannot longer turn blind eye or ignore the crisis that happen.  I guess that is sort of a consequence.  I am now clearer on the needs of America’s youngest citizens.  I have understanding of what their needs are and what is needed to help them.    
  What I would consider another consequence is that I feel helpless in the issue.  I can be an advocate however, I work, and work but I do not see how I am making a difference.  My passion is driving me and may overshadow my intent.  Is there a thing called too passionate?  I believe that there is.  It can cause burn out and blur your focus.  Learning about the need of children makes me want to save every child in the world.  I cannot but I can try.
  I have contemplated this question for a while and I cannot come up with additional consequences.  For me there was nothing but pure benefit.  I understand an issue I also have read about how many people are working for the betterment of children.  How can there be consequence?
  As an educator, I will continue to work tirelessly for children.  I want to see that ECE is as valued as elementary, secondary, or even collegiate education.  I hope to inspire other directors to find ways that they can implement change in their facilities.  I will also continue to build in my knowledge and awareness in order to be more effective as a teacher and administrator.

Professional Goals, Hopes and Dreams

In my immediate community there is an ongoing discussion and issue with affordability.  As of March of 2018 75% of my new student enrolling families listed their reason for choosing my facility was price related.  Second was reputation, however even in reputation the conversation is about the quality of care and opportunities available for the price of tuition.   The accessibility of quality programs lies in the ability to afford such programs. 

Many Georgia parents trying to save for their kids' college tuition may be having a tough time because they're already shelling out a bigger dollar amount every month for childcare.  Georgia is one of 33 states where typical childcare costs more than college, says a new study from the Economic Policy Institute. According to the study, the average annual cost of daycare for an infant in Georgia is $7,644 and the cost for a 4 year old is $6,500. By comparison, average college tuition in the state is $6,614 -- well below the price of infant care and only a shade higher than care for a toddler. Researchers from the policy institute say infant care for one child takes up 13.8% of the typical Georgia family's income.

Because affordability leads families to centers that are of poor quality children are faced with subpar care.  There is not much we can do to increase the income of the families so it is my opinion that we enforce standards upon the childcare facilities that are subpar.  Georgia requires that all of its ECE worker receive mandatory training.   Each professional is required to use the GaPDS (Georgia Professional Development System for Early Childhood Educators) to maintain and track their training.  This ensures that all individuals maintain a basic qualification necessary to work with children.  The more trainings or the higher level of education will increase your rating in the system.  This makes the individual teacher a commodity and eligible to receive a higher and competitive wage.
In the community that I work there are limited opportunity for minority and low income students to receive quality care.  The numbers are increasingly disproportionate.  Of course there are federally funded programs like Head Start and locally funded Georgia Lottery Pre-K which provides quality care for low income families.  However, those available spots are limited and are a first come first serve basis.  There are a multitude of families who do not qualify or subsidies.  Their children are the ones vulnerable and fall victim to their family's finances.  It is my goal to provide an affordable program that is comparable to the high quality programs that wealthy families have access to as well as the programs that are federally and locally funded. 
I have worked diligently finding outside funding sources and investors in order to maintain a price points that families can afford.  It takes more work on my part and there are many fundraisers that have to be organized. There are many nights that I only receive 2 hours of sleep and I am often very tired.  However, the results of my hard work is I can provide a quality program for a fraction of the price.  The appreciation and support I get from my students, their families, and my staff is reward enough.  The challenge is maintaining the momentum.  So far I am doing well.
My hope is that I can provide as inspiration to other childcare programs.  That I motivate other owners and directors to do justice by their community by helping ALL families receive quality early childcare services.  To many of my colleagues, ECE is an easy pay day.  I network with many of my neighboring center directors or owners.  Our priorities are different.  Though we all want to care for the children.  My focus is on the children who go the most overlooked in my community.  I hope to be a part of the conversation that will lead to the changes of policy that will make all ECE affordable to every child in need.

Sharing Web Resources

The national Black Child Development Institute provides newsletters and other resources that are key to providing information that would let the reader become knowledgeable in the difficulties and inequities that face the African American child.  However, the website does not concentrate on the injustices.  There is a section called point of proof.  This section allows the researcher to find institutes or resources that support the main position of the website.  I did a search of my home state of North Carolina and found a link to what they called Firstschool.

FirstSchool prepares school leaders and teachers to improve the early school experiences of African American, Latino and low income students by promoting an equity framework of effective instructional practices across the PreK-3rd continuum; using data in innovative ways to guide professional development; and increasing educator knowledge and application of developmental science.  Reading about Firstschool in the point of proof section, they introduce the idea of Cultures of Caring, competence, and excellence.   In a Culture of Caring, teachers nurture positive relationships, strengthen self-efficacy and racial identity and develop the whole child. In a Culture of Competence, teachers prioritize communication, promote peer interaction, develop self-regulation and promote independence. In a Culture of Excellence, teachers balance teaching approaches, integrate and balance curriculum and build higher order thinking (NBCDI, 2018).

Trying a new search in the Point of proof section I found a second organization out o Minneapolis from which I attend school. The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) Promise Neighborhood operates as one integrated program that works across many partner organizations and schools, with NAZ scholars at the center. Families and children move through a “cradle to career” pipeline, allowing NAZ staff and their partners to provide comprehensive support services through three pillars of impact: Family Engagement and Opportunity Alignment, Education Pipeline, and Whole Family Wrap Around Support. The purpose of Northside Achievement Zone is to end multigenerational poverty in North Minneapolis.  The NAZ Promise Neighborhood is a collaboration of organizations and schools partnering with families in a geographic “Zone” of North Minneapolis to prepare children to graduate from high school ready for college. Our resources are dedicated toward measurable outcomes for children and families. Success is gauged by results for children and families, not programs and organizations (NBCDI, 2018). The purpose of this organization is to ensure that a child achieves school readiness.

Searching the website further proved to be beneficial.  I have learned about new organizations that have chosen to support a narrative and have answered the call to action.  They have a focus of aiding children and families who fall victim to inequity.  The mere existence of these organizations in states across the United States speaks to the need of the demographic.  I was happy to see that although the intent of the original home website of the NBCDI, each organization expands their focus to low-income and minority children and their families.  They tackle issues such as health and school readiness.  However, they use the citizens in the community as partners in combating inequity.

After reading and researching I learned that it truly takes a conglomerate of individuals working together to overcome barriers of inequity, poverty, and other social issues.  I have tasked the brunt of the responsibility on Early Childhood teachers and administrators to lead the way, however, community leaders, policy makers are also valuable members of the movement.  The biggest lesson I have learned from this deeper search, is that it is not all about policy change. Sometimes meeting the needs and providing a service that some children may not otherwise have is the best way to combat inequity.


 References
NBCDI. (2018). Northside Achievement Zone. Retrieved from https://www.nbcdi.org/point-of-proof/northside-achievement-zone
NBCDI. (2018). Firstschool. Retrieved from https://www.nbcdi.org/point-of-proof/firstschool

Excellence and Equity

Educational equality is often linked to social justice and social mobility. That every individual
has an equal right of education is a sign of democracy and one important aspect of human rights.
Educational equality is an important aspect of social justice that brings more positive social changes.  Excellence and educational equity all pursue an equal education. However, due to the respective angles and focuses, their interpretations can be very different. For instance, on the issue of distribution of educational resources, the argument based on educational equality is that spending a bounty of unexpected resources on those whose chances are already better than other children’s chances is unjust.

There were so many blogs and podcasts that spoke to the excellence and equity in childcare that it was hard for me to choose. However, I chose the podcast Child Welfare Information Gateway Podcast Protective Factors Part 1 because it was so informational.  The Child Welfare Information Gateway Podcast is a place for ECE individuals who care about making families strong and protecting children.  They discussed ways that individuals can support and improve the lives of children and their families.  When it comes to excellence in equity we must seek to protect children and support families.  What I learned from the the podcast was essential to my ongoing professional education.  These protective factors lead to an experience that is beneficial for the child and their family.  In providing an excellent experience one must provide a social connection.  Where children have someone to turn to and talk with.  Having someone that families can call when you need a hand with something, when you need someone to watch the kids with short notice all of these kind of things that are the opposite of social isolation and that really make it possible to be the parent you want to be.  When speaking on equity, the podcasts  talk about concrete supports in times of need which is a large category that can include everything from formal services like child welfare intervention and domestic violence support, food pantries, all of that - but concrete support can also be delivered through social connection so it could be a neighbor who brings over a casserole when you have a new baby - that’s also a concrete support in times of need and that’s the kind of thing that helps families feel supported and get through those challenging times.

The podcasts also referred to those who pay attention to the influencing factors in a child's environment can affect their experience in the childcare.  The experiences of early learners have and their engagement in them are crucial to raising attainment and achievement. It is the quality of
hose experiences which make the difference. We live and work in an ever changing world and we need to respond to change to ensure that we serve our communities and learners to deal with the rigours which rapid change brings. It is also a time of reducing resources we need to do more with less at a time when demand is increasing. Education, therefore, becomes even more important for securing outcomes for learners which will help them to deal with the challenges ahead and equip
them with the necessary skills, knowledge, understanding and qualifications to succeed in
such a world.
 What I learned from the podcast and the Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child is that my role as an ECE professional goes beyond caring for children.  I learned from the podcast that ensuring that children have an excellent experience, they must be protected and there are many ways to provide protection and support for them and their families.  That children also connect with others through their learning communities.  They are places where they share common goals.  This could be within their community or their classroom.  As a teacher I am responsible for the harmony of the classroom. Children learn from one another and they have the opportunity to grow together.  When seeking to provide a environment of excellence, equity comes with it.  Because you are seeking to provide the best experience possible, showing bias has no place.



Center for the Study of Social Policy (n.d.). Child Welfare Information Gateway Podcast Protective Factors Part 1. Retrieved from  https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/cw_podcast_protective_factors_part2.mp3

Center on the Developing Child. (n.d.). Working Globally. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/global-work/

Sharing Web Resources

Although the Borgen Project does not primarily focus on child poverty.  They concentrate on preventing and making the issue of poverty extinct.  The Borgen Magazine focuses on humanity and how the Borgen Project works to help the impoverished communities world wide.  What I found particularly interesting is their childhood curriculum.  It was amazing to me that then understood that the issue of poverty impacts children on a different level.  The curriculum teaches the children about global poverty.  The lesson plan introduces students to the issue of global poverty, governance, and civic engagement. The lesson plan is designed to teach students that the size of a problem does not necessarily correlate to the ease with which it is solved. In this manner, the lesson plan will emphasize what can be done to improve the human condition, thereby reducing social injustice, desperation, and hardship. The curriculum will also teach students how easy it is to communicate with their congressional leaders and influence the decision making process of congressional leaders. By communicating with their congressional leaders students will learn how to formulate and express their opinion about a particular issue. By the end of the lesson students will have a greater knowledge of global poverty and civic engagement.

This was particularly interesting to me because I cannot recall a time where I taught young children about poverty.  Many of my colleagues stray away from teaching children about very serious issues.  I would guess that it is controversial to teach children about global poverty.  Children are very empathetic and want to help everyone.  This issue can cause them sadness.  Global poverty and its affect on children is an important issue. 

The Borgen Project thinking enough of young children by creating this curriculum is telling of their dedication to educating the world about global poverty.  This curriculum is age appropriate and teaches understanding and compassion.  It helps children think about how they can help.  It teaches them about government and policy.  Children get to participate in their government with the goal of helping children who do not have their basic needs.  The children learn so much in this curriculum such as understanding that many people lack basic necessities.  The primary objective of this lesson is for students to understand that they can influence the legislative process. It is a lesson that I have not thought about before.

What I have learned from the Borgen Project is finding new and inventive ways to teach young children about government and policy.  How important that we help them develop an understanding about differences and that not everyone has the same opportunities and resources as them. 

Getting to Know International Organizations: Part 1

I am happy to know that there are many organizations located in America and around the world that all have the same common goal.  Helping children and families who live in poverty.  While researching, I found:

The Borgen Project.

They are an organization that combat what they refer to as extreme poverty.  The way that they approach this issue is bringing about change through policy.  "The Borgen Project believes that leaders of the most powerful nation on earth should be doing more to address global poverty. We’re the innovative, national campaign that is working to make poverty a focus of U.S. foreign policy(The Borgen Project, n.d.)".  They tackle major world poverty issues such as Global poverty, how poverty affects U.S. Jobs, poverty and the population and how we can solve the global poverty issue to name a few.  This organization is focused and determined to help the worlds poor by any means necessary.  They have outlined over 30 ways that each citizen can help eradicate global poverty.  They list ways such as write your congressman, build awareness by sharing information, fundraise, and donate to the cause.  Their efforts all go towards the benefit of children and their families who live in poverty across the world.  There was an areas where they addressed helping families gain access to clean water.  Although I consider myself socially aware of global poverty and its affects, I never considered what we consider need.  Some people across the world do not have access to something as basic and necessary as clean water to drink. 

My take away from researching this organization is the power of collective help.  We utilize social media and radio for our entertainment and enjoyment, however, we can utilize those same platforms to spread awareness and bring forth necessary aid to global poverty.  I also appreciate the many ways they laid out that I can be more helpful to the cause.  Sometimes the issue seems so big and so wide that I feel helpless but The Borgen project outlined many ways that individuals or groups can be active in bringing about a solution to this problem.  I am grateful for information. 

The Borgen Project. (n.d.). How to end Global Poverty. Retrieved from borgenproject.org: https://borgenproject.org

Sharing Web Resources

The website I chose was the National Black Child Development Institute.  https://www.nbcdi.org. They work to engage leaders, policymakers, other professionals and parents around the issues that impact the lives and of young African American children.  They help pair families with very important and necessary resources such as healthcare, education, literacy, child welfare and family engagement.  With the support of our Affiliate network in communities across the country, we are committed to our mission to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy"(NBCDI, 2018).

The aspect of the NBCDI that resonates is that they are one of few entities that exclusively dedicate themselves to the development of young black children.  So many websites and foundations are available to the multitude of children.  However, there is a great need of support for many black children.  Many African American children are overlooked due to the systemic racial oppression of the African American community.  With a specific and relentless focus on the strengths and needs of our communities, and a lens of cultural competence, we serve as a national resource agency providing programs, publications, advocacy and trainings related to early childhood care and education; health and wellness; literacy and family engagement.

One of the issues that caught my attention was their work to to fight for racial equity.  "On November 19, 2014, President Barack Obama signed the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014 into law. This Law reauthorizes the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and makes significant advances to support early learning and financial security for families and children. New regulations, released in September 2016, include provisions designed to 1) strengthen requirements to protect the health and safety of children in child care; 2) help parents make informed consumer choices and access information to support child development; 3) provide equal access to stable, high-quality child care for low-income children; and 4) enhance the quality of child care and the early childhood workforce"(James & Matthews, 2017).  The NBCDI presents information to combat against the violations of civil rights in Mississippi.  Shedding light to the unfair practices of governing agencies against African American children and their families.  Asking that the state support AA families that enrol in childcare assistance programs.  They NBCDI also presented initiative that states ensure that African American children have equal opportunity and access to high quality early learning programs.  s. Increases in quality improvement resources should benefit providers across a diverse range of communities to make high-quality early learning programs accessible where participating families live and work.

The work f NBCDI is invaluable.  It is unfortunate that their services are necessary.  However, in 2018 there is substantial evidence that the African American children have been treated unfairly and suffer from lack of opportunity and access to important resources.  I support the NBCDI and recently joined in their initiative in order to bring about change and additional support in the my community. There are going to be some people who read this blog and think, maybe it is not just African American children but all children need support and resources.  I would agree that in some areas that would be true.  I would like to ask each of you to read the News portion of the website and shuffle through the articles to get a feel for what really happens in the lives of young African American children. 

James, C., & Matthews, H. (2017, March). Childcare and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Racial Equity. Retrieved from National Black Child Development Institute: https://www.nbcdi.org/sites/default/files/resource-files/NBCDI_CLASP%20Policy%20Brief%20CCDBG%20and%20Racial%20Equity.pdf

NBCDI. (2018). News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcdi.org/news

Getting Ready—Expanding Horizons and Expanding Resources

I was excited to review, listen and learn from the podcasts present on the World Forum Foundation website.  Unfortunately they were not workings.  However, I did take time to learn about the World Forum Foundation and what they are about.  It is a place where professionals from across the world can exchange and share ideas that help young children.  It is a place where like minded individuals who care about children can be a collective of support to young children.  The host events and forums that benefit both the teacher the advocate and essentially the world's children.  This organization is definitely a benefit to the childcare profession.

I reviewed each website recommended to see which one would resonate with me most.  Initially I chose the Center for the Childcare Workforce.  However, that site is down.  It is unfortunate.  However, I decided to research and learn about the NBCDI (National Black Child Development Institute).  I chose this website because I am dedicated to providing a place in my community that provides excellent care for a demographic who historically have to settle for subpar care.  It has been my experience that childcare centers in urban areas are overlooked for funding and have to make due with the least funding and supplies.  The NBCDI has worked for more than 40 years, to be at the forefront of engaging leaders, policymakers, professionals, and parents around critical and timely issues that directly impact Black children and their families.  Their vision is to help foster in a society that ensures a successful future for ALL children. Specifically the NBCDI works to help young black children on issues such as education, early childhood care and health.  NBCDI supports and works primarily with Black children birth through age eight and their families, through coalition building with community-based organizations, foundations, corporations, school systems, elected officials, government, child care, Head Start and many other public and private partnerships.


As uncomfortable as it may be, there is significant truth to the needs of the black child.  The hardships may not be isolated to just black children, however, there is an lack of balance and black children suffer more in this country from substandard care and access to adequate healthcare.  Is it sad that there has to be an agency that advocates for young black children, Yes.  But this agency is needed and serves a very important purpose.  They have a report on the website called Being Black is not a risk factor.  It is an excellent read and I would suggest everyone read it.
https://www.nbcdi.org/sites/default/files/NBCDI_SOTBC_FLORIDA_Report_%20Final%20(DA%2001-05-2017)_0.pdf

My Supports

My first and most important aspect of support is my husband.  I cannot imagine what life would be like without him.  He is my backbone and my source of motivation.  He helps me find resolution when I feel like I have hit a wall.  He has dedicated his life to servicing the special needs community.  His work in Behavioral science and working with Department of Family and Children Services as a Child Protective Service worker gives me an inside advantage into creating an environment that is both developmentally sound and safe for all children. His input and professional guidance is appreciated and it makes my day go by smoothly.  He is there for me when I need him the most and even in the least of my need.  He steps up and makes an effort to get to know the children and their parents.  He offers advice when sought after and he is a waiting helping hand when needed.  Life would suck without him.

If I had to mention things or people that are supportive to me on a daily basis.  I would mention my students.  They are the most compassionate and helpful little people I could ever know.  They are always brightening my day with smiles and hugs.  I couldn't imagine a day without them.  Second would be their families. My parents are awesome.  They are cooperative and endearing.  They care for all of the children like they are family.  I could not imagine my day without them.  They volunteer often and step in when the center is at need.  For example, recently I have been sick. Really sick.  My parents noticed and immediately stepped in and took over the center.  They ran it like they were me and allowed get some rest. 

In my career I have built a supportive network of professionals that I can turn to for guidance and collaboration.  These relationship have proven to be extremely beneficial in helping learn more about providing care for children and developing a curriculum that fosters healthy development.  They are trainers, behavior specialists, speech therapists, reading specialists, social workers and curriculum specialists.  These professionals are my professional family.  We support one another and bounce ideas between us.  Their professional experiences help me to be the best teacher and administrator.  They offer great ideas and situational support.  I could not imagine not having them as a part of my circle.

Not having these supportive entities would make my life bland, boring, and honestly mediocre.  These people make me better. They make me strive for better and create the best. 
I think about what would happen to my curriculum.  When I work on the curriculum I take into consideration the children who will participate, the teachers and how it will affect them.  When designing an activity, I seek the advice of a reading specialist.  I confer with with the curriculum specialists.  They provide information that I believe set my center aside from others.  It is what makes an educationally challenging curriculum fun and enjoyable for all involved.  If I did not have access to the professionals and their expertise, my entire center would suffer.  I am sure that I would find a way to move on but there would be a learning curve that could impact my students. 

Some of my parents have become my very best friends.  My professional colleagues are not only my professional equal but they are shining beacons in my life.  I respect their opinions professionally and personally.  Like me, they have dedicated their lives for the betterment of children.  Together we make an awesome team.

Childhood Connections to Play

From as far as I can remember, I can hear my mother saying to me If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.  She emphasized for me to never give up.  When I lost at a game, she encouraged me to try again.  Don't get mad learn from it.  Try again.  We played many board games in my family.  I remember losing at Sorry every time I played.  I would get so upset it just seemed I would never win.  My mother said Sorry is all about your decisions.  Pay attention to your decisions.  That is what I did.  I watched the decisions of the other players, what pieces they moved and when they decided to split a number and I started making better decisions and eventually won.  I was so excited you would have thought I won the lotto.  But for me it was the lotto.  I learned how to think and apply logic in a fun game of Sorry.

 The same when we would play Guess Who.  I learned to ask very specific but unique questions.  Most of the time my older cousins would win but I would play them over and over until I won.  Each time learning something new or trying a different method.  I am that way now.  If my first attempt is unsuccessful, I am ready to try again.  Learning along the way.  That is what I remember about playing as a child.

  The difference between now and when i was a child is that there was no alternative or child-centered curriculum.  The school was a strict and structured environment.  The time to play was a recess.  Even physical education was structured.  There was some fun but teachers did not embrace play as a method in which children could learn.  I am glad to see how times have changed.  For me, watching my students play is as important as watching them grow.  I see the wheels in their brains turning.  I encourage their exploration.  I love watching kids be kids.  There is plenty of time to be serious..  That is called ADULTHOOD.

I subscribe to Lev Vygotsky's method of teaching.  I believe in the importance of play and peer interaction when a child is learning.  My approach to teaching is one of a support.  I wholeheartedly believe in scaffolding and the Zone of Proximal
Development.  The zone of proximal development (sometimes abbreviated ZPD), is the difference between what a learner can do without help and what he or she can do with help.  However the help will come in the form of his or her peer while the teacher oversees and may offer minimal support.  They learn on their own with their own thoughts and ideas not the ones I have placed in their mind. 

Reflecting on Building Relationships

"Human relationships, and the effects of relationships on relationships, are the building blocks of healthy development" (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000, p. 4).

I come from a very large family.  I learned very early in life how important relationships are and how much they can affect your life.  I was taught by my grandparents how to nourish and respect relationships.  They both taught that having relationships is mostly about tolerance and patience.  We have to be patient with others and respect their decisions even if we do not agree with them.  Although I lost my paternal grandmother to cancer in 2011 I carry her lessons of unconditional love with me throughout my life. 

Today I keep few friends and family close.  I have a small circle but it is filled with quality.  My most important relationship is with my husband of 14 years.  He makes me want to be better.  His support is unparalleled.  He supports my dreams and when I am down, he encourages me. When I am being lazy, he motivates me.  Watching him overcome adversity and persevere through trials and achieve is admirable.  My husband teaches me how to be empathetic and compassionate in relationships.  He helps me to be considerate of others.

My mother is a very important relationship.  We went from mother and daughter to friends.  She supports me and helps me to make sense of my thoughts.  She ensures that I am unwilling to make excuses and keeps me accountable for my actions.  We laugh and when I do not thing anyone understands me. She does.  I value who she is and where she has come from raising my sister and me without help.  Her hardworking nature is a characteristic that she passed down to my sister and me. She taught me about how to rid myself of toxic relationships and how to  be forgiving in important relationships.

My very best friend is a superwoman.  We began our friendship 17 years ago as colleagues.  We both watched our careers grow and we encourage and support each other with our academics.  She is a mother of five a wife, a preschool Staff coordinator, and student working toward her master’s degree in education.  She is the definition of superwoman.  We challenge each other’s thinking.  We provide advice when each of us comes to an impasse professionally.   Her independent thinking and mama bear skills make her one of the strongest women I know.  What she taught me is how to support one another through differences.  How to express yourself within the relationship while accepting the other person for who they are.

My cousin is another valuable relationship that I treasure.  Although we are related through marriage, I love her as if we share the same familial blood.  She has had to endure such hardships at a very young age.  However, if you were to look at her you would be amazed how unscathed she is.  She is the definition of determination and integrity.  She is a single mother of two while working and finishing her MBA.  She supports me in everything and she is very hands on in my business.  She double checks my business to make sure everything is up to par.  She sets the standards high.  She teaches me about appreciation of relationships and not taking them for granted.

 The lessons that I gather from my personal relationships impact my professional live.  The characteristics that I absorb from my loved ones are characteristics that make me a better teacher.  Children need unconditional love.  Children need to know that they are loved without conditions and regardless of their mistakes.  My personal relationships help me to be more patient, understanding, tolerant, appreciative, empathetic, and compassionate.  Each character trait is beneficial to me as a teacher.  I have had to reflect on these relationships and conversations while working with children.  Sometimes I even use them as reference or an example of how I want to act or should behave.  I use their advice and method probably every day.  My relationships impact who I am as a person therefore they impact how I interact with my students.