Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

Ria
age: 24
" Culture is a combination of your religous and moral beliefs and your traditions".
"Diversity, is the inclusion of all people regardless of race, color, gender, sexual orientation or disability. The inclusion of all people regardless of difference".

Lakeshia
age:24
" Diversity is understanding that each individual is unique and recognizing our individual differences."
"Culture is your morals and values"

Izula
age: 24
"It's like looking at a box of crayons and seeing how culturally diverse the box is with all the different colors". "The individuals we serve, the various disabilities, are representative of the children in the classes"


In listening to my friends give their responses I was able to reflect on how each of them stated someone important which ties into what culture and diversity truly encompass. It's one's individual uniqueness and how he or she is able to foster that into something greater, whether it be in style with fashion, or distinction in cooking that makes us who we are. Derman, Sparks,& Edwards (2010) Gender roles, language of cultural backgrounds are what make up dynamics of a person existence.

My Family Culture

In the event I was relocated into another area in which I was not familiar with and placed me out of my comfort zone items that I hold near and dear to my heart consists of my bible, picture album, and my grandmothers recipes. These items hold significant importance to me and my culture because the bible is where I can seek solis, guidance, and comfort. My family has always stressed the importance of knowing where and how to seek what you need form it, whether it be for healing such as  Isaiah 41:10 " Fear  thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with he right hand of my righteousness. My picture album contains many of my most fondest memories of times in my life which range from childhood performances, and or relatives. I enjoy being able to reflect back those times and experiences through flipping through a couple of pictures. Parveen Sharma once said "Good photographs are taken not with the camera. Good photographs are taken with Mind, Soul, Eyes, and Imagination where Eyes like a shutter, Mind like a lens, Imagination like an object and Soul like a canvas.” Lastly, one thing that is very important to me are my grandmothers recipes, she has passed them down from her mother and her mother before her, I can remember the experiences of being a child and helping Nana prepare the meals, the family would agree the food was so delicious and make comments that "She put her foot in it" which means she cooked very well. The recipes are extremely important to me now because Nana is no longer with us and her memory holds strong within the recipes she prepared for us out of love. 

In the event of me having to leave two of the three items behind I would not bring my album, and grandmothers recipes, its challenging to leave these items behind however there imbed into my head and in remising with my siblings would help me to remember images of family members and ingredients for the dishes. 

Getting to know internal contacts part 3

 week 7

I have yet to make any sort of contact with my international contacts. I check my email frequently to see if anyone has had an opportunity to make a connection therefore I will be reporting about the UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education” webpage (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/).

There were various articles that aided to the descriptions of education across the world. Some that I took particular interest in were how to apply for regional diplomas in Latin America and Africa. Once accepted the program is conducted on a part-time basis, including a two-week intensive session in which participants’ attendance is required, as well as distance learning activities within a timeframe of 30 weeks. In order for us to advance as a whole we must seek ways to improve personally and professionally.

Another included source of information included a newsletter which is published three times a year, the IIEP Newsletter keeps readers informed of current trends in educational planning and IIEP activities. It allows them to update their planning skills and management techniques, but also to stay informed on major issues facing education systems. The IIEP Newsletter is produced in printed and electronic formats, and in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Russian.

Lastly, cultural diversity and the bond or mending information from place to place about the various native is rewarding because one can create partnerships and expand on knowledge acquired. The scale and diversity of mobile learning projects in the United Kingdom and Denmark indicate that sustained government investment is necessary to roll out large projects which effectively use mobile phones for learning. Secondary school teachers in Europe, beyond using mobile phones to enrich the delivery of education, have recently begun asking students to practice technical and critical thinking skills by designing their own mobile applications. Living with diversity, how to tackle racism and the importance of youth involvement were topics young people in the USA and Brazil raised with UNESCO’s Director-General and experts on January 18 at UNESCO Headquarters via a live video conference.

Getting to know international contacts part 2

Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/) has revealed many informative facts about children/childcare systems around the world. Malaria is a disease passed through the blood. It is caused by a parasite. The parasite is typically passed to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Things to increase ones chances of infestation include Failing to use DEET-containing insect repellents when outdoors. Failing to use mosquito netting (especially netting treated with permethrin) while sleeping, and failing to use medicines to prevent malaria infection. The effects of early childhood on the children of Zambia has had its impact, so much so their is an ongoing anti malaria initiative on children's development in Zambia.

Translation videos are available in Spanish and support to fund these efforts come from World Bank.

Lastly the developing child site has ways in which individuals are to sign up on the mailing list and potentially view past newsletters that were published.  

Sharing Web Resources

Making vulnerable infants and toddlers a priority and ensures that the knowledge derived from the science of Early Childhood development is reflected in the policies and programs for young children.
The Early Head Start program is of particular interest to me because I work for one. I am constantly seeking opportunities to gather new information to share with colleagues and families being serviced at the center.

It was back in the 90's that the Early Head Start programs were funded and established. These programs provided opportunities for families to receive medical treatment, mental health, early intervention, parent support, and prenatal health support. The article shared that despite difficult economic times, 23 states have
at least one initiative that builds on the federally funded EHS program.

The federal Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Visiting  program  (MIECV) was authorized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010. It provides $1.5 billion over five years to states and territories to improve the health and development outcomes of at-risk children through evidence based home visiting programs.

references: Zero to Three retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/

Sharing Web Resources

The organization I selected to share information about was Zero to Three

Website: http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/podcast/

ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. Their mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers. (Zero to three, 2012)

I particularly like the podcast that were available on the website. It was easy to navigate and they were

informative. The particular podcast that I listened too was based on a survey to various parents, which

questioned how young children developed and whether they had self-control.  What does it look like

when a child doesn’t have it (self-control)…  young children shouldn’t have to have the ability to use

strategies to use appropriate behavior… for example to throw a ball at mommy in the park but knowing

it is unacceptable to throw a ball at someone who is not participating in the game at the age of one to

two years old. Those concrete understandings have yet to be cemented into their brains. 43% of

parents believe by age 3 children should be  able to control their emotions and not have tantrums,

however we have to focus parents inappropriate discipline techniques with expectations of  the child

and their age, and gear them to the appropriate age driven ways of adapting to young children.

Resources:

http://www.zerotothree.org/about-us/funded-projects/parenting-resources/podcast/

E stablishing Professional Contacts and Expanding Resources

The website selected was www.unicef.org
Having recently taken a trip to Jamica I was intrigued about the culture and educational system. I found information on the UNICEF site which expanded my knowledge on recent topics that affect the citizens of the country.

Establishing contacts with Early Childhood professional was no easy task. I email 5 different countries in hopes of hearing something back.One down fall was there wasn't any 1800 numbers listed and trying to make the actual phone calls and in the event someone answers oh boy I'd hate to see that phone bill...

I also selected for my early childhood resource the website Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. This is so resourcefull and has loads of valuable information that can be used to educate parents, coworkers, and self most importantly. I found this site easy to navigate and full of fun. As I thumbed through the site I came across an article so fitting because grandsparents day is september 9 entitled In your lap, In your heart. It offer grandparts tools of how to bond with their grandchild.