I asked my daughter's teacher (who is Scottish) what culture and diversity is and, she hit the nail on its head. She said adults modelling good examples for children to imitate is one way to teach respect for diversity. Also she noted that children who are ELL may be given opportunities to speak vernacular in class as a way of celebrating their culture.
My French teacher said culture is the opposite of nature. She made an interesting point that we are not born with culture but learn culture. Secondly she said culture is what brings unity amongst a group of people.
My husband rightly said culture is what makes a particular group of people what they are.
All of these definitions tell me there is diversity even in the way culture is defined. Hence, culture might be too broad to give a definition as Taylor said. (Laureate, 2014)
One of the aspects we have discussed in class is that of letting children know and respect differences in culture or diversity
Also, I will agree with my French teacher who said we learn culture. Ngo (2008) also mentioned this, this week.
Emphasis is being made in class on unity in diversity so she is right to have said culture brings unity amongst people. All of these we have discussed in class.
My interviewees all defined diversity as differences amongst people.
I come to see now that culture encompasses everything about human beings since there are various and multiple definitions of culture.
References
Laureate Education. (2014). [Video] "Culture and Diversity". Retrieved from Walden University Early Childhood Studies Portal
Ngo, B. (2008). Beyond "culture clash": Understanding of immigrant
experiences. Theory into Practice, 47(1), 4–11.
Retrieved from the
Walden Library using the Education Research Complete database.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
My Family Culture
This blog assignment is interesting and thought provoking! First, I will go with my Bible, my ipad, and hair accessories.
I and my husband are Christians and we are trying our best to bring up our kids in the same manner. Although, my ipad could contain various versions of the Bible, the hard-copy Bible symbolizes our religion. I see it that a hard copy Bible will give our kids a true sense/representation of our religion and belief in God.
I will go with my ipad because I am a lover of information and academics. With my ipad, I could gain access to what is happening around me, and continue home-study with my kids.
Going with my hair accessories might sound a bit out of place to someone, but I am learning that the human hair is one of the first factors of identity. As an African, I this our hair defines us more and quicker than our skin color. Hence, to maintain my identity, I will go with materials to tidy my hair and my daughter's.
If I were asked to drop two items, I will drop my ipad and hair accessories and then keep praying for freedom from such a lifestyle.
I better agree now than before that culture indeed is the totality of an individual which involves everything one does. Culture most times are influenced by family upbringing, which places so much importance on the role of a family.
I and my husband are Christians and we are trying our best to bring up our kids in the same manner. Although, my ipad could contain various versions of the Bible, the hard-copy Bible symbolizes our religion. I see it that a hard copy Bible will give our kids a true sense/representation of our religion and belief in God.
I will go with my ipad because I am a lover of information and academics. With my ipad, I could gain access to what is happening around me, and continue home-study with my kids.
Going with my hair accessories might sound a bit out of place to someone, but I am learning that the human hair is one of the first factors of identity. As an African, I this our hair defines us more and quicker than our skin color. Hence, to maintain my identity, I will go with materials to tidy my hair and my daughter's.
If I were asked to drop two items, I will drop my ipad and hair accessories and then keep praying for freedom from such a lifestyle.
I better agree now than before that culture indeed is the totality of an individual which involves everything one does. Culture most times are influenced by family upbringing, which places so much importance on the role of a family.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
When I think of Research
Sincerely, I did not find this research course easy as I could not spend enough time to read in order to grasp the whole concept. But, it was worth the experience and lessons I learnt from the discussion posts.
I understand better now (than when we started) the processes and procedures involved in research, and I was able to garner that ethics are very important in research studies in Early Childhood Education. Also, that the research methods to use depend on the nature of a research topic and that it is best to use mixed methods so as to understand the depth and breadth of a research study and for reliable results and conclusions. A feasibility test will help to know what risks are obtainable in the course of the study, therefore, it is advised that such test be carried out.
Like I mentioned earlier, this course was quite challenging maybe because it is my first research course and I did not have adequate time to study due to some personal reasons. Arriving at a topic was the first challenge and then in the application of quantitative and qualitative designs to my research topic. Nonetheless, I believe that what I have learnt during this course will come handy for me some day.
Thanks, Dr. Darragh for your patience in explaining and making corrections of my simulation. And to all my Group 2 classmates, thanks for sharing your ideas and insights about research studies.
Wish everyone the best now, and in the future.
I understand better now (than when we started) the processes and procedures involved in research, and I was able to garner that ethics are very important in research studies in Early Childhood Education. Also, that the research methods to use depend on the nature of a research topic and that it is best to use mixed methods so as to understand the depth and breadth of a research study and for reliable results and conclusions. A feasibility test will help to know what risks are obtainable in the course of the study, therefore, it is advised that such test be carried out.
Like I mentioned earlier, this course was quite challenging maybe because it is my first research course and I did not have adequate time to study due to some personal reasons. Arriving at a topic was the first challenge and then in the application of quantitative and qualitative designs to my research topic. Nonetheless, I believe that what I have learnt during this course will come handy for me some day.
Thanks, Dr. Darragh for your patience in explaining and making corrections of my simulation. And to all my Group 2 classmates, thanks for sharing your ideas and insights about research studies.
Wish everyone the best now, and in the future.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Research Around the World
After a search on the European Early Childhood Education Research Association website (www.eecera.org), I noticed a collection of their (special issue) journals-2013 has its overall theme centred around PLAY--Benefits of play in Early childhood; Digital play in EC, Teachers role in play, etc. An interesting topic I read about is the language use of pre-school teachers during children's dramatic play. Letting children get involved in role-play is not enough to help them develop their cognitive and language skills, but consciously using play-embedded instructional talk by teachers will help children improve on their communication skill and the frequency of their talk. A more detailed study is recommended on this topic so as to help teachers' practice.
With EECERA as one of the EC sites that publishes respected and prestigious journals in the world, I think it will be a good resource for my research simulation and maybe for any research I might want to undertake in the future. This site is informative and educating. I tried subscribing for their newsletter but got an error message, but I will do that during the week.
With EECERA as one of the EC sites that publishes respected and prestigious journals in the world, I think it will be a good resource for my research simulation and maybe for any research I might want to undertake in the future. This site is informative and educating. I tried subscribing for their newsletter but got an error message, but I will do that during the week.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Benefits of Research
Research indeed has been so beneficial to children and families in the developing countries. I remember vividly the issue of polio, whopping cough, cholera, measles, chickenpox as so tormenting to children some years back. Families were impoverished as many spent so much money in battling these diseases. Malaria in children and adults was a common death factor in Africa, but today, we don't hear so much about malaria killing people because new drugs are being discovered regularly to checkmate the effects on pregnant women, children and families. Thanks to research findings (particularly evidenced-based) that brought about vaccinations for these diseases.
Jonas Salk first discovered a vaccine for polio and then tried it out on people around him- himself, wife, children and friends. It worked when the vaccine produced antigens against polio cells
I will use myself as an example. When I was pregnant for my two kids, I was given anti-malaria drugs as part of my daily medication, in order for me not to get infected with malaria. In recent past most babies were affected by jaundice as result of pregnant women who had malaria. Some babies didn't survive and some are living with the effects till date as grown-ups. Research has changed the face of the story due to the discovery of anti-malaria drugs and vaccinations that are given to pregnant women. Also, as at when I had my two kids, there was a campaign going on about the benefits of breastfeeding. With all the information I had then due to research findings, I decided to do exclusive breastfeeding with my kids, though it was not easy. But I did it with the consciousness of the benefits I and my family would derive as they grow. I remember my daughter didn't have any cough or cold until she was about 9-months-old.
I will always appreciate those that gave, and are giving their time and energy in discovering most of the right information we have today especially in medicine and child healthcare.
Resource
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/ehsnrc/Early%20Head%20Start/multimedia/docs/mothers-milk-content-final.pdf
Jonas Salk first discovered a vaccine for polio and then tried it out on people around him- himself, wife, children and friends. It worked when the vaccine produced antigens against polio cells
I will use myself as an example. When I was pregnant for my two kids, I was given anti-malaria drugs as part of my daily medication, in order for me not to get infected with malaria. In recent past most babies were affected by jaundice as result of pregnant women who had malaria. Some babies didn't survive and some are living with the effects till date as grown-ups. Research has changed the face of the story due to the discovery of anti-malaria drugs and vaccinations that are given to pregnant women. Also, as at when I had my two kids, there was a campaign going on about the benefits of breastfeeding. With all the information I had then due to research findings, I decided to do exclusive breastfeeding with my kids, though it was not easy. But I did it with the consciousness of the benefits I and my family would derive as they grow. I remember my daughter didn't have any cough or cold until she was about 9-months-old.
I will always appreciate those that gave, and are giving their time and energy in discovering most of the right information we have today especially in medicine and child healthcare.
Resource
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/ehsnrc/Early%20Head%20Start/multimedia/docs/mothers-milk-content-final.pdf
Friday, January 17, 2014
My Personal Research Journey
Doing a research course for the first time is still somewhat intimidating. After reading chapters 1 and 2 of our text, it makes me feel a bit fidgety about doing research because I know it is time, energy and money consuming. Nonetheless, I look forward to giving it a trail.
I have chosen to do a research simulation on children's brain development because I always wonder why some children are smarter than others or why some children develop faster than others. The major reason for choosing this topic is because of the disparities in my children's language development. My daughter could communicate well with an adult when she was just 18-months old but my son who is about 28months old presently has just a few words in his vocabulary. I explained to a Paediatrician who says boys are generally slower in language development. Ironically some boys speak faster than girls. Could it be that the problem is from the brain or a 'gender thing' as the paediatrician explained?
Secondly, I have learnt that experiences are stored in the brain, in other words experiences shape and determine the growth of the brain. I know of several adults who were neglected as children but are successful in their chosen walk of life. Could it be that negative challenges like neglect help build resilience or there are exceptional cases to research findings?
As a parent and EC professional, I know it's every parent and teacher's desire to see their children develop well and fast. I aim at using my research findings to be a better teacher and parent by implementing activities that aid brain development.
So far, I have learnt how to verify the quality of resources. This, I see as a major milestone I have achieved because I am depending so much on information gotten from the internet since I might not be able to carry out a first-hand research. I appreciate the knowledge gotten from this week's discussion and application and I am still working on mastering more research terms and procedures. Also, I have knowledge on how to read research articles that would safe my time and make my search easier and faster.
To my classmates, lets keep the ball rolling as I am eager to read about our findings, and more importantly to know the procedures and steps taken to achieve our endpoint. Hope to get help and advice from those who are experienced in research procedures.
I have chosen to do a research simulation on children's brain development because I always wonder why some children are smarter than others or why some children develop faster than others. The major reason for choosing this topic is because of the disparities in my children's language development. My daughter could communicate well with an adult when she was just 18-months old but my son who is about 28months old presently has just a few words in his vocabulary. I explained to a Paediatrician who says boys are generally slower in language development. Ironically some boys speak faster than girls. Could it be that the problem is from the brain or a 'gender thing' as the paediatrician explained?
Secondly, I have learnt that experiences are stored in the brain, in other words experiences shape and determine the growth of the brain. I know of several adults who were neglected as children but are successful in their chosen walk of life. Could it be that negative challenges like neglect help build resilience or there are exceptional cases to research findings?
As a parent and EC professional, I know it's every parent and teacher's desire to see their children develop well and fast. I aim at using my research findings to be a better teacher and parent by implementing activities that aid brain development.
So far, I have learnt how to verify the quality of resources. This, I see as a major milestone I have achieved because I am depending so much on information gotten from the internet since I might not be able to carry out a first-hand research. I appreciate the knowledge gotten from this week's discussion and application and I am still working on mastering more research terms and procedures. Also, I have knowledge on how to read research articles that would safe my time and make my search easier and faster.
To my classmates, lets keep the ball rolling as I am eager to read about our findings, and more importantly to know the procedures and steps taken to achieve our endpoint. Hope to get help and advice from those who are experienced in research procedures.
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