Reflecting on Learning

My most passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional and for the children and families with whom I work is that I will be able to show that accepting people’s differences is all right.  Showing families that being open minded and accepting differences will allow their children to have a better outlook on people and become better individuals. 

I have been tested in this class I had to look at myself and notice my stereotypes and deal with them.  I want to thank everyone for their feedback and post it has helped me to become a better person and change how I look at things.  Good Luck to everyone we made it only one more class it seemed like it went so fast.  WE DID IT!!!!

Impacts On Early Emotional Development

The area of the world I choose to explore was West and Central Africa because many of the children in the district where I work are from Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria.   There was one parent who I found to be very interesting, she had scares all over her face and one day I asked her why and she explained to me those mark represented what tribe she came from and they were there since she was young. 

Some of the challenges that children in this region of the world are confronting are, Malnutrition due to inadequate dietary intake, infections, safe food, and maternal care (UNICEF, 2012).  HIV/AIDS may appear to be less than in East in Southern Africa but 1/3 of the 25 million people in the Sub Saharan Africa is living with AIDS (UNICEF, 2012).  Another issue which the children in this region are facing is Child protection, meaning sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, domestic violence, discrimination and rejection (UNICEF, 2012).  Education is another issue these children face, poverty and traditional belief keeps 40% of children out of the school.  Schools are also not child friendly places; they tend to face sexual and other forms of violence in school (UNICEF, 2012). 

These experiences might have an effect on children’s emotional wellbeing and development because these are the important years where the brain and body need basic clean water and good health to survive.  The lack of these resources has a huge impact on the survival rate of these children. 

The insights I gained from this information will have a huge influence on how I change my thought process when dealing with the parents and children who come from Africa or any other country.  Now I see why the families stress the importance of education and always want extra help for the children.  I guess coming to the United States is viewed by them as a great opportunity to receive a proper education that was lacking in their country.  I have gained a different respect for them as a people and know that if they made it this far they have made it a long way. 

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

The topic of Sexualization of early childhood is a very alarming matter.  Many of today’s shows, dolls, and conversations that children hear can send wrong messages.   The topics children see and hear in today’s society are completely different than how it used to be when I was growing up.  Children are exposed to so much so early in life and it seems no one takes the time out to completely explain the right and wrong of this behavior.

There is so much exposure to sexualized environments, one example I seen recently was on Facebook where a parent took a picture of herself in her bra and panties with her young daughter in the picture.  Another example a friend of mine was telling me how her friend’s three year old daughter was saying I’ll dance for a dollar while the adult’s stood around laughing.  This statement was so out of place and no one corrected her.  Lastly, the show on TLC Toddlers and Tiara’s having those little girls with fake hair and eyelashes and dressed in provocative clothing. The parents are so wrapped up into their own self-gratification they are not realizing how they are damaging their children. 

Sexualization and media can have a huge impact on the healthy development of a child.  Many mixed signals are given; girls and boys may start to believe they have to look and act a certain way to be viewed as beautiful or accepted.  I know that some of these things seen in the media where harmful but never took a deep look into it until now.  I believe as educators and parents we need to take more time out and sensor and prevent our children from watching and hearing things that are not appropriate. 

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

                 

Since it is really hard to separate your personal self from your professional identity it can be tough to leave some experiences out of the workplace.  This assignment says put yourself in the shoes of someone who has experienced a particular –isms and how this experience would affect your classroom setting.

I am African-American female who is educated who is very worldly and has been exposed to a variety of different people and situations.  I went to a four star restaurant where I was the only minority with a group of friends who happen to be Caucasian.  I got there first to wait for everyone to arrive when I walked in the establishment no one greeted me or asked me if I was waiting to be seated or waiting for a party, it was like I did not exist.  I decided to use the restroom to walk away from the situation for a minute, while walking back some friends were coming in the door and the hostess greeted asked to take their coats, are they ready to be seated, and would they like to go to the bar to have a drink while they wait for the rest of their party.  Needless to say I was uncomfortable and no longer wanted to stay, but decided to not run and enjoy the time with my friends that I have seen in a long time.

This experience would help me to show the children how it feels to be singled out and made to feel less of person because the color of your skin, cultures, or beliefs.  I would now have a personal story to tell the students about the effects of being treated differently.  I would you this experience as tool and not in a negative manner, because two wrongs do not make a right.  I believe if you to tell a story it makes a situation more memorable because you are telling the actions feelings felt when going through the circumstance.