Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that they feel comfortable around other diverse  individuals. I understand that coming from another country can be hard especially if it is your first time in that country. I would want them to not be scared of a new environment but instead embrace it as their second home.

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to have professional accept children and families for who they are and not produce microaggressions. Teachers and professional tend to judge parents based on how they talk, walk, look, or even dress especially families of different cultures and backgrounds. We should make these families feel comfortable and welcomed in the early childhood field. We are educators not judges. Our children deserve the best and we should honor and give them what they deserve.

Since the class is coming to an end, I would like to thank my colleagues for reading and commenting on my blog as well as discussion board post. I have enjoyed commenting on you all posts as well as interacting with you all  through discussion board. You all have educated me on various topics such as culture, diversity, microaggressions, and isms. I want to wish you all the best luck in your careers.

FAmily Country of Origin: Japan

My Family Country of Origin: Japan

Five Ways to prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family
*Research on Japanese cultures including what could be or not be offensive.
*Learn about their popular foods and beverages that families love to eat.
*Take classes on how to speak the language so it can prepare me to communicate with the family.
* Visit families in my local area to gain information on the culture.
*Obtain the family history of the family I am welcoming so I will have some insight on them.

My Statement: As an educator, I like to prepare myself when meeting families for the first time, especially families from other countries. I decided to that my family of choice will come from Japan. I chose Japan because not many early childhood education program have their natives in attendance. Because I am not familiar with the Japanese culture, I would do some research on the country, learn about the culture in regards to what offense them and what they love to see from other countries, learn about their popular food and drinks, take additional courses regarding language development in Japan, visit local families in my area to gain additional information on the culture, and review the family history of the family I will be welcoming. I hope that prepping for the family will benefit both me and the family in the sense of courageous, value, and honor. Courageous for having the courage to step out and learn about the country and  family, the value that I have for the family background, and the honor to know that a individual cares about your family and culture.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

   When I lived in Pooler, GA, a small town outside of Savannah, GA, I remember living in an all white neighborhood. I loved it to a certain extent, but I hated being the only African American student in the neighborhood. I remember one night, a group of Caucasian males set a tree on fire across the street from my house and sent the fire department to my house. If it wasn't for my aunt and uncle being home, proving that I was in the house, I would have been charged with arson and taking into juvenile detention. Another incident I remember was riding the bus to school and being the only African American on the bus. My bus driver put my seat all the way in the back of the bus and I truly got offended. I took that as an insult because they way she did it bring me back to segregation days. I remember my guardians storming into the school wanting answers on why I was being mistreated on the bus due to my race. My aunt received her answers and the school no longer bothered me for the rest of the year.

    The prejudice I went through throughout my eighth grade year diminish equity in the sense of freedom of speech, because every time I tried to tell the bus driver my feelings she would tell me to shut up and sit down, the fact that the fire department though I set the tree on fire due to my race, and the type of prejudice the down showed towards African American people. There were not too many African American people living in the down due to prejudice type of town it was. Many people would rather live outside that town then inside that town.

 This incident brought hurt, anger, hatred to my heart against white Americans. I hated talking to Caucasian people, I did not like them looking at me, and I ended up hating the school I attended. It took for me to change my heart in my older years to not have hatred in my heart because all Caucasians are not that way. I had to learn how to forgive those who hurt me and let the lord handle my battles. I am more happier today because I no longer have that grudge in my heart against different race because of what one person did to me. In order to change this incident into an opportunity for greater equity, the bus driver and Caucasian children would have had to change their ways . They were the cause of the hurt and pain and if they wouldn't have done what they did, the opportunity for greater equity would have still been there.  

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week I went to a grocery store called "Farm Fresh" with my two year old son. While at the grocery store, I observed a woman with  four children buying a shopping cart full of groceries. A person behind me made a comment saying "I bet she gets a lot of food stamps." My question to myself was, "Did you hear the children call her Mom? What if the children are her step children, or her nieces and nephews? "What if she was  babysitting for a family?" Just because she had four children will her does not make her the mother or even on government assistance.  When the lady paid for her groceries, she used a debit card to buy the basket full of groceries. The person behind me stated, "Uh must be a military family then." The ironic thing about the entire incident was the person  who was behind me was the one using food stamps to buy her groceries.

When I think about the incident, it was sort of disrespectful to assume someone is on assistance because they have a lot of children. I felt embarrassed for the lady behind me, due to the fact that she was using food stamps herself. That's why as an individual, I do not judge people who needs government assistance because I once was on it. I am proud that I do not need to use it anymore because it shows the blessings that God has provided in my life. The woman who was in front of me smiled and walked off, which showed that she got the last laugh after all.

Based on my observation, the effects of stereotyping still exist, and in reality will never die. Stereotyping can ruin a person reputation, especially when you have no clue what a person is going through. Just because a person has a lot of children does not mean they are on government assistance or have a lot of fathers for each child. Assumptions is what hurt a lot of people emotionally because they feel like they are a target of peoples ignorance.

Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

My mother (Respiratory Therapist) "Diversity mean different and Culture mean belief and behavior."

My Fiancé (Nuclear Insulator) "Culture is something that has been around for many years. For example, race, environment. It is also something you were born into, believe in, and do everyday"

My bestfriend (Extension Assistant for SCSU): "Diversity is different group of people and culture is different backgrounds or nationalities."

When I reviewed the definition above, I realize, these definitions are based on their own belief what culture and diversity mean to them. It is how they view culture in their world versus how other people may perceive culture and diversity. When I look back, I remember the panelist in one of the video stating that culture can be how you dress, the way you eat, your personality and even the way your posture may be.


When thinking of other people definition of culture and diversity, it has influenced me to accept other people views on culture and diversity. It has taught me that not everyone will consider culture or diversity the same, but they may all be similar. I have my views on culture and diversity and my interviewees have their opinion on culture and diversity. All that matters is that we respect each other views and backgrounds.

My Family Cuture

          My family and I now have to move to another country due to a major catastrophe. I am delighted that my family is still with me because they are my heart and soul. I was told that I can only take three small items along with one change of clothes. The three items I chose to take with me is my cell phone, my charger and my iPad mini for son. I chose these items because I will be able to talk to my family members who survived the catastrophe and were sent to other countries and because my two year old son is attached to my iPad and I always want to make my son happy.

          If I arrived to the country and I was told that I had to give up two of the items and could only keep one, I would give up my charger and cell phone because my son is the most important thing and taking his iPad would hurt him deeply. The good thing about his iPad is we are able to face time family members, talk to them when the talk app, watch movies, listen to music, play games, and look at memorable pictures of our family.

        This topic has giving a different view on life. Before my son, I was self centered and didn't care about any one else, but as I look at the previous two paragraphs, I see that my son is very important to me. My son is my world and I would do anything for him. I am a family person and my family mean everything to me so being able to communicate with them means the world to me.  My great grandmother made sure that her children, grand children, great grand children and great great grand children were close so my family culture is to be a tight knit family. 

My support

         In todays world, it is hard to make it on your own on a day to day basis. People are losing jobs, stressed about school, work and their families. A lot of parents are forced to leave home to find work, instead of staying home raising their children. As a parent, educator, and student, I am grateful to have people in my life that are supportive at home, at work, and at school. Without these people in my life, I do not know where I would be today.

        My support on a day to day basis has been awesome. At home, I cherish my fiancé who truly helps out around the house and keeps our son while I attend to my home work and paper work for my students. My mom, grandmother and mother-in-law are the greatest because they never mind watchinh my son for me when ever I need to get things done for school or around the house, my cousin is my supporter because she watches my son 5 days a week at reasonable price and works with him on his speech, letters, numbers and colors, and my teacher assistant who does awesome with the students in our classroom. All of these people support me in major ways. My teacher assistant supports me by doing half of the paper work on our students to keep the load and stress off of me. She does it from the kindness of her heart and that really means a lot to me personally. Without these supportive people in my life, I do not know what I would do especially regarding school and work. My life would be hard without these people in my life.

   When I began imagining my support, I began to think of how difficult it would be not to have someone home to help with your child(ren), how it would feel to do everything for yourself at your job, to not have help to watch your children while you work to provide for your family. I imagine myself having loving people all around me who are willing to assist without anything in return. I know it is unrealistic to have everyone in your corner because everyone will not be happy about your success. From my experience, I learned to cherish the people that you care most about and love those who may not support or care about you. As a educator, I learned to have patients and love for those who may not give the same in return. Support is not what you always get, but it does feel good when you have it.

My Connections to Play

 

 

 

     Being five (5) years old has been the best year of my life. I get to play, have fun with my friends, and my mommy takes me to my favorite place ever called Virginia Beach Ocean Front. Every Saturday, my mom takes me and my best friend Candyce to Virginia Beach Ocean Front to make sand castle and to play in the water. I am so excited because guess what today is? Today is Saturday, Beach Day! 

     Today, I am going to spend my time in the white sand making sand castle with my mommy and Candyce. I packed up my towel, my mommy packed up lunches for us, sun screen lotions, and she brought us both sun glasses. Now all I have to do is slip on my pink and blue flip flops and head to my mommy’s car so we can head down to the beach. When we arrive at the beach, I am going to make some gigantic sandcastles that’s going to be this much bigger than Candyce. Candyce sand castles are going to be tiny compare to my big humungous sand castles. While at the beach, I hope my mommy takes us to the board walk so we can get some Dairy Queen ice cream on a tan cone. Yummy in my tummy.

        I am so excited that we finally made it to the beach. I am ready to build my sand castle but first, I need my materials to get started. I learned the words materials in school from my teacher. First I will need three (3) buckets, two (2) shovels (one tiny and big), and lots and lots and lots of sand. Now that I have my materials, I can get started on making my gigantic sand castle.

         Today was an awesome day. I made five huge sand castles, my mom took us to get ice cream, and I got a lot of resources from my mom. A lot of people do not know  but my mom is also my teacher. She gives me a lot of advice, resources such as books, pictures, websites that I can learn on she takes me on field trips. I had an awesome day at the beach and I cannot wait until next Saturday to go again.  

 

     Back in my younger days, play was encouraged more as a privilege then it is today. Today in schools, play is more mandatory by the state and children are required to get at least 30 minutes to an hour of play each day. Compared to play today versus 20 plus years ago, most parents have to make their children go out to play due to the latest gadgets such as iPhones, iPad, iPods, computers and various video games. According to Wardle, "School administrators, many parents, and most politicians believe play is a waste of time, off task behavior, needless coddling of young children, messy and noisy, unstructured and uneducational – an unaffordable luxury in an ever-more competitive world." (Wardle, 2010) As a teacher and a mother, I have learned that play is very important to children and their development. Many children who engage in play learn social skills, cognitive development, and various language. Bergen, Author of the article, " The Role of Pretend Play in Children's Cognitive Development" expressions at the preschool level, "make-believe play serves as a vital context for the development of self-regulation" (p. 637).  I believe play Is important and it will be apart of my curriculum each day.

 

                                                                       References

 Bergen, D. (2002). The role of pretend play in children's cognitive development. Early Childhood Research and Practice, 4(1). Retrieved fromhttp://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v4n1/bergen.html

 

Wardle, F. (n.d.). Play as curriculum. Retrieved August 1, 2010, from http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=127

Relationship Reflections.

     Growing up in a big family has been truly a blessing. It has taught me to value the support I was blessed with, the helping hands that assisted me, as well as the guidance that led me to the right path in my life. Relationships and partnerships are excellent when it involves the education of young children and also important because it helps the child as well as the parents grow physically, mentally and emotionally. I cherish the moments when parents approach me and say, "Is it a way that you and I can work together to help my child get to the level that he/she needs to be?" I admire the fact that they value me enough to want my help in helping their child(ren) succeed and make it to the next level in their little lives.

  
         
        Today, I am blessed to have many people in my life who are great role models not only for me, but for my son as well. Because of their love and support for me, it has helped me achieve goals that I never thought I would achieve in my life time. My mother and I have had our ups and downs, but since the birth of my son, she has been the best supporter I have had, My son grandmother, who is my mother-in-law is an excellent help when it comes to my education as well as an support system for my son, My cousin Michelle, is my child care provider and is an excellent asset to my son life due to the fact that she is preparing him for pre-school, potty training, and tutoring him in his language skills, my great grand mother is my rock who provided me with a roof over my head rent free to assist me with my son as well as education, my aunt Charisse is the best person in my life because she raised me and was very strict when it came to my school work. With her stern ways, it helped me gain high expectation for myself, my education, and my academics; my fiancé  has been my back bone since 2007. Without his help, I would have been lost and confused after the birth of our son. As you see all , all of these individuals help shaped who I am today because are the relationship and  partnership that we had with one another. These individuals are everything to me and I thank God for them everyday. In these people, I see genuine, love, dedication, and commitment. These three characteristic is what help shape a partnership. A partner wants someone who is dedicated to them, committed to them, and also love them enough to stay on them. These people in my life play all of these parts and more. That's why I am proud to have a relationship as well as partnership with each and everyone of them.

        Working with children and parents who are not use to partnerships  can cause a lot of challenges. As a former toddler teacher, it was hard to get parents involved, due to work schedules, parents not associating with another parent, and even conflict with staff members in the building. Overtime, I learned that I have to talk to parents one-on-one to figure out the problems, solutions and what we can do to prevent incident in that nature. Some parents would warm up after while and would come in to speak with me regarding their child or even send an email. Because of the challenges and stumbling blocks I've had in the past, it has helped me gain the ability to be more active and involved in the children's and parents lives. I've gain more knowledge, resources, and confidence when it comes to parent-teacher interactions. As a professional, I am more aware and capable to work with tough parents who do not believe in interacting with the teacher(s). I've learned that when you meet parents outside of school, you are more able to build a relationship with them because of the type of person you are and the caring person you may be. So with some challenges, there will always be a winning circle. You just have to pick your battles and fight until you win the challenge.

Welcome to My Blog

Good Afternoon Everyone,

    My name is Ashley Hankerson. I am 25 years old and a mother of one. I love to shop, read novels, travel, and create art projects. I am a recent graduate of Norfolk State University and I am now currently attending Walden University to receive my Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration and Management. I welcome you all to my blog and I hope you all have a fantastic day.