How I communicate through others eyes!

This week we were assigned to take different inventories that evaluated how we communicate and listen. These inventories had to be taken by us and two other individuals. I chose two participants that are familiar with my communication skills. I chose one family member and one church member. I chose the family member because sometimes we communicate differently with family than out in the public. I chose a church member/friend because she has seen me speak in different ministries we are apart of. My score varied a little in number but all were in the same categories. I am a people-oriented communicator that is shy in some atmospheres when challenged to speak. These scores flex my communication challenges and gift exactly.

Two things I have learned from this exercise:
1. I learned that I am not always nervous in all speaking environments which shows me how to channel the improvements.
2. I learned the different types of listening skills and how they are important based on the atmosphere you are in.

In conclusion, I enjoyed learning about myself through the eyes of others!

Communication and Culture

Communication is a topic that is viewed differently based on culture. When communicating with others it is necessary to communicate differently based on the particular culture. When I observe my children in my classroom I notice how differently communication is displayed based on culture. When dealing with kids that speak in other languages I have to speak a little slower and I normally get on my knees face to face so that I am on their lever. I notice when communicating with kids it is important to get eye level. This shows them that you are engaged with what they are saying. When I am talking with other cultures that are adults I normally have listen more that speak. The reason I do this is to learn traits of new cultures. Sometimes if necessary I use a translator to ensure that I understand and can communicate effectively.
Effective communication is so necessary to when dealing wtih other cultures.


When I saw this picture I wanted to use it to display the importance of communication. We live in a diverse society and it is so important teach our children how to effectively communicate with each other. If we work hand and hand we can work together. Communication is key to crossing cultural barriers.

TV Interpretation

 

I chose to watch the show "Dog the bounty hunter". I have watched this show before and based on my pass experiences I felt that it would be hard to predict what was going on. I did not want to pick a show that would be easy for me to understand without sound. I wanted to be able to use my skills that I learned this week to help me in interpreting what the show was about.

Interpretation of Show with no sound.
In the scene I watched with no sound I noticed that Dog and his employees got a new case. I new this because Dog was at the dry eraser board with a new picture and he wrote down notes around the picture. I also understood that this person was a hard catch because one of the employees put his head down and started shaking it. I felt that this meant that this person they were looking for was maybe even dangerous. When they started to search for the person I saw that they had little help. No one would give up information. I drew these conclusions from seeing them walk up to people with the picture of the fugitive and they just shook their heads.

Interpretation of Show with sound

My interpretations were correct. The person the Dog was assigned to was a fugitive that was armed and dangerous and no one was able to capture him. This was frustrating because no one would give them a lead of where to find him. In the end they found him through many days of searching.

I felt this assignment helped me to use all skills that I have learned this week to decode the conversations going on in this show. It is so important to use all forms of communication when trying to reach someone.

Professional Hopes and Goals

As a EC professional I have one hope when thinking of working with families and childeren of diverse culture. This one hope is that I can position myself to learn as much as I can and I present myself to these families as being concerned and excited about learning about who they are. One goal that I have pertaining to diversity in early childhood is that I can show children how to genuinely appreciate each other and learn how they are all a part of the puzzle and without each other it is impossible to by whole.

I really appreciate this class and my colleagues for all the excellent information that was shared. I also appreciate Dr. Anthony Morgan for being so patient with me in my transitions.

I hope to see everyone in my next class and if not I hope to see everyone in graduation. Congratulations in advance on everyone academic journey.

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Country's Origin: Brazil

There is a new Mulatto family of four that will be joining my learning environment, migrating from another country. This requires me to prepare for this transition that will occur once they get here. This family has two girls that are both Early Childhood age. They are coming here to expose their children to a new culture and style of education. They will be moving to Columbia, SC were they will be staying with fam ily.Their family has contact my school to enrol their children. Here are five ways that I will prepare for this transition.

1.I will conduct a short research of all cultural differences. This is necessary so that I can understand the necessary changes that need to be made.

2. Next, I would share my findings with both staff and children  that will be in the new children's class.

3. I would like to add something special form their culture into each learning environment.

4. I would like to add one dish tot the menu that will be made once a month to make the children feel appreciated and not left out in this new environment.

5. Lastly, I will assign a staff member that would serve as their care leader. This will give the family a person that is familiar with their situation and that can serve as a point of contact if any issue arise. This care leader will be assigned to them for about one year.

These preparations will ensure a smooth transition from their country to ours.

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

When reading our assignment for this weeks blog I decided t use one of m favorite movies as and example of bias, prejudice and oppression. This movie was "Gifted Hands". In this movie I remembered a particular scene where Ben Carson (African-American male) got his test score back from his teacher (Caucasian female). He had made a D on his test. The teachers response was "Good job Ben". She was suggesting that this was acceptable effort for an African-American child. Since he always made bad grades in school he started to call his self dumb and stupid. After realizing his true potential ,from his dedicated mother, he became number on in his graduating class and then graduated from college as a surgeon. The main example of bias, prejudice, and oppression steamed form his race as an African-American. Some many times racial barriers are put up in class causing the children and teachers to hide their true potentials. The mindset of that teacher had a negative affect on Ben's growth in his true potential. As early childhood professionals we have to learn how to observe each child and pull out the gift that lies within them.

Practicing Awareness of Microaggressions

This week in class we have discussed microagressions and its effects on people. I have noticed how frequent these mircoaggressions occur. This week I experiened one microaggresion that not only affected the person but also me as a bystander. I now know that mircroaggression not only affects the person it was directed to but also people that may hear or observe the act. The microaggresion that I observed was when I was in the grocery store and a Hispanic lady was paying for her groceries and she did not speak good English but she did know enough to understand the lady. When she walked up to be served in line the lady got close to her and spoke loud and slowly. The Hispanic lady just looked and spoke back to her to ensure her that she knew English. I was next in line and I was so offended. What the cashier was imposing was the Hispanic lady could not understand and speak English. The lady nicely paid for her food and left. This microaggression affected me also because I was upset that the lady had to experience this. I personally remember a microaggression that was geared towards me. When I went to the doctor to have my annual visit my doctor asked her normal questions. When she got to the question about birth control I said to her that I did not need them because I am abstinant. Since she looked at my chart and noticed that I had a child and I was not married she assumed that I was going to try and have more children. She keep trying to make me take birth control and I told her that I was waiting for marriage to have more children. She keep on insisting that I needed them. This was so offensive because I was excited that I was not in a position to have children and she put me in the category with other women that are also single parents. This event did not happen this week but I can still remember it. Microaggression have lasting effects that sometimes effects others around. I now understand that I can't judge people based on what I see. This week I have learned a lot.