Observing Communication

I arrived at a girlfriend’s home and her two girls were playing and did not seem to change or feel uncomfortable because I was there so, I decide to seize the opportunity to watch them interact with their mother in play. They seemed to be imitating grown- ups at their table, pretending to drink a cup of coffee and discussing where they are going to shop. The girls sat down pretending to eat together. At this very young age children are able to participate and master activities, developing their own communication. On the plate she put broccoli, a drumstick, and orange slices.

She explained that she included healthy foods. The girls sat down pretending to eat together.  They started to talk about school. Brianna made a 100 on a test. The teacher said Brooke did a good job on the computer.The girls had a disagreement. Brooke tried to remove chicken from the oven and Brianna said it not ready. Brooke’s reaction to her sister’s criticism was to take a picture that was in her room of them and cut out Brianna’s picture. Her mother told her how hurtful that was to her sister so they made up and continued to play.

Effective communication strategies working with children, the way to go are to learn about children are to see their play. The way to find out about their play is first watch them, and then ask them questions about where they are in their play-mind (Laureate Education, 2012).  To make communication more effective all children need to feel that, to know who they are, and to bring with them their communication when they enter school. They need to feel respected, and they need to feel grounded in themselves and they need to be heard (Laureate Education, 2012).

 Watching the children in this manner, I saw how important communication is when children play. Children use their developing social cognitive skills to learn about pretend play. Children communicate, really, all different ways and use their bodies so much that if you're sensitive, you can really pick up cues about how to communicate (Laureate Education, 2012).

The insights on how the adult-child communication went that I observed was for play to be successful the children have to share the focus of attention. The mother’s attention is directed toward the expressions of her children which are reflective of her personal. experience. Children use their developing social cognitive skills to learn about how to communicate. As children play, (their roles, their attitudes and dispositions create a shared culture constructed by the mixing of attitudes, ideas, feelings and their experiences.

"Communicating with Young Children" 2012 Laureate Media Inc.,

Creating Affirming Environments

If I Imagined what it would be like to open my own Family Child Care Home I imagine this: As an ant-bias teacher I would plan to encourage children to express their own ideas, to be themselves and respect others cultural differences. I am going to learn about the families and communities of the children I teach so, that I

can do a better job in the happiness of children. 

Examining Posters, children art work, can highlight positive personality traits to be exhibited in and out of the classroom. I will support and value their unique contributions, in hopes to create a classroom communities  where children and their families feel safe and welcomed (Derman-Sparks & Olsen, 2010).  

I would make every effort to create a setting that is rich in possibilities for exploring cultural diversity. My environment would assist children in developing their ideas about themselves and about others.I would ask myself are all children represented in my classroom (Derman-Sparks & Olsen 2010). By selecting my materials carefully, so they are simple and not too much stuff, instead with clear images,that are easily used by children (Derman-Sparks & Olsen 2010).

Derma-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.

What I Have Learned

Children are shaped by their family, community, and their cultural history. I hope to make a difference as an educator, to first understand families who are diverse in ways such as different culture, economic status, and sexual orientation. As an ant-bias teacher I plan to encourage students to express their own ideas, to be themselves and respect others cultural differences. I am going to learn about the families and communities of the students I teach so, that I can do a better job in the classroom. Examining what you have learned over the years will be a little like eating an artichoke: you have to peel off the layers to get to get clearer about your experiences and assumptions now (Derman-Sparks & Olsen 2010).

One of my goals I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to recognize the biases and difficulties each type of family faces, and assure families that I support and value their unique contributions, in hopes to create a classroom community where children and their families feel safe and welcomed (Derman-Sparks & Olsen, 2010). 

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

To Dr. Snider and fellow classmates, this for me has been like lying on a sofa with a psychotherapist. I have learned that so much of my identity is shaped from my cultural background and that I have to deal with it and learn to help shape the lives of all children in diverse cultures. My experience in this course has shown me how easily my biases and stereotyping can be formed. Words can’t tell you all how much I have learned and how grateful I am for all the support you gave to me. I hope our journey will continue together. Good luck to all and thank you.

Kathleen 

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: Creating Art: 
My Poem

I grew up in a place where the culture was known

Community in harmony like singing a song
I lost my father at an early age
My mother's life turned a page

I lost my grandmother in the prime of her life
Being with older sister became a fight
Learning a new language in school was cool
Getting to know other cultures and eating different food

What we want is to feel safe and accepted in a new place
To see the world as a place for us
            Making friends and being loved in the face of diversity

                     After writing my poem I found this amazing poem I thought you may enjoy 
                                                                    reading!

The Colors Of Diversity

		THE CRAYON BOX THAT TALKED
		By Shane DeRolf                     While walking into a toy store                         The day before today                        I overheard a crayon box                         With many things to say                         “I don’t like Red!” said Yellow                         And Green said “Nor do I”                      “And no one here likes Orange                        But no one knows just why”                         “We are a box of crayons                          that does not get along                         Said Blue to all the others                        “Something here is wrong”                     Well, I bought that box of crayons                         And took it home with me                         And laid out all the colors                       So the crayons all could see…                      They watched me as I colored                      With Red and Blue and Green                    And Black and White and Orange                       And every color in between               They watched as Green became the grass                         And Blue became the sky                                         The Yellow sun was shining bright                       On White clouds drifting by                     Colors changing as they touched                         Becoming something new                     They watched me as I colored                                    They watched me till I was through                     And when I finally finished                         I began to walk away                      And as I did the crayon box                      Had something more to say                                                “I do like Red!” said Yellow                        And Green said, “so do I”                       And Blue you were terrific!                         So high up in the sky                                           “We are a box of crayons.                         Each one of us unique                       But when we get together                      "The picture is more complete”

Colors of Diversity - Scouting Web Retrieved from

www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/ColorsDivers.htm -  

"We "Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

 My grandchildren (three girls) come to me on the weekends their mother and father are on night shift at the same time. They know the other children in my neighborhood, which is mixed with White and Black families. They are always excited to play with the other children, when they come over. They have grown up together in a way because; they have been playing with each for quite a lot of years now. A few weekends ago they were playing with my White neighbors children ages range from 4, 6, 8 and 15 as they always do. My grandchildren range from 7, 10 and 13.  My granddaughter noticed they had a new dog in their back yard and asked them when did they get the new dog. One of the children told her when and then said to her (my dad says he only barks at black people). This is not the first time they have said words that are offensive about people of color.

I have always felt their father was prejudiced and this just only confirmed my thoughts to be true. As an anti-bias educator I said to her to explain that they are friends and the words were hurtful because, they are too young to know the difference in what they are saying, they are just repeating what they have heard. I did not get upset with them because, I have come to love these children very much, I just felt sorry for them that they may grow up with hate in their heart for people they have never met.  Their father is not very friendly so. I did not attempt to talk with him. “As you persist through the challenging times and see the fruit of work, eventually anti-bias education becomes a part of everything you do. It becomes a way of life” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010 p. 20).

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

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

 I have a cousin who as a child we knew he was gay. He always wanted to play school and things girls like to do. He was such a kind and gentle kid. The kids would always tease him and I would feel very sorry for him and I was afraid to take up for him, for fear that they would not play with me. As a child your instincts are always to belong to a group so, whatever the group wanted so did you. Growing up he started to dress like a girl so, he was always called sissy or fag. But he always held his up high and it seemed not to deter him for choosing to live the way he wanted to live.

 He was very resilient and it seemed not to bother him but, I know it did. However, many so called heterosexuals believe that they are not prejudice, and will say statements like have a gay friend. If that person is your friend why do you have to create a label for them? My cousin stated to me once that the fear he has of being gay is losing friends and families, or even being physically assaulted.

                       

 I can only imagine what a child goes through expressing fears to your parents that you may be homosexual and your parents hide their anxieties by reassuring you that it will go away, and that it is just a phrase. Imagine what it is like to pretend to be someone you’re not, to live a lie, to deceive yourself and your parents. They fear losing friends and families, being socially ostracized, and even physically assaulted. Let’s all help children to respect themselves by showing respect for them regardless of who they are.  

If anyone wants to listen to  to this song go to: youtube and chose, MackleMore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert. This profound song is one that everyone should listen to about sexual orientations of indiviuals. We should all just listen and get some idea of what gay individuals go through in this country.

Final Blog for Communicating and Collaborating

Final has become a very big word because; it means this course is coming to an end. Not only did I learn about communication in this course but, I feel we all got to know each other as well. Giving me your support in the discussions and blogs made this course become very significant for me. I have learned that communicating with others is not as simple as I thought it to be. Learning how to do unto others as they would have you do, has opened my eyes to seeing  that others opinions are just as valuable as mine, will help in my ability to communicate better in the early childhood field. I hope this will not be our last encounter together, as we take this journey to learn how to care for young children.

 My e-mail address is Kathleen.thompson@waldenu.edu and kstokes@comcast.net.. I hope to hear from everyone real soon. Take care, I will miss you all.