Reflecting on Learning

Throughout this course I earned so much and have gained a deeper meaning on anti-bias education. I learned that we may not have all the answers or may be the best at promoting anti-bias education, but we can start doing it now (Laureate Education, 20111). By starting anti-bias education now in the classroom, we can learn along with the children and learn what strategies work and didn't work (Laureate Education, 2011). If we we don't start teaching anti-bias education now, and keep putting it off until we think we eliminated all our personal biases, then we will probably never start, because we probably won't ever know enough (Laureate Education, 2011). I hope that I can share the knowledge I learned in this class with children and family that I may work with, and leave a great impact on them, and teach them that we can eliminate personal biases and stereotypes against each other. I hope that families and children become more accepting of the fact that we live in a diverse society, and that we treat everyone fairly.

I would like to give my colleagues a huge THANK YOU! My life has been very chaotic these past eight weeks with teaching, coaching, planning my wedding that is happening in just eight weeks, and taking this class. You all made this class very enjoyable, and I love hearing what you had to say. Your support kept me going over the last eight weeks! So, thank you for all your support, and I wish you nothing but the best as you finish out this journey/program!

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Your commitment to anti-bias work. Baltimore, MD: Author 

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

I chose to look at the Latin American and Caribbean  region. I chose this region because I have had several friends and family members visit this region. My brother even working a medical mission trip for a week in Honduras, and he has told me many stories of the lack of resources people from this region have. While he was in Honduras, they ran a medical clinic (he's currently in medical school) and he often commented on the amount of children they treated. He also told me about how he interacted with the children who were waiting on their parents who were receiving treatment. I know the trip left a lasting impression on him, and he said he would do it all over again if he could go again because these people really need our help.

Looking at some of the challenges that children in this regions of the world are confronting are malnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies,thus impacting their growth and development (UNICEF, 2015). They are faced with challenges of AIDS and HIV, natural disasters like hurricanes, low access to education, and living in poverty (UNICEF, 2015).

I feel these experiences might have a great affect on children's emotional well being and development for many reasons. First is that they may have to deal with parents beings sick, and maybe even caring for their sick parents. This can take a toll on the child because they may be force to grow up quicker than they want too, but also fear the risk of losing a parent. Losing a parents can be very emotional for anyone, but I feel it would be especially hard for a child, because they still rely on the parent for emotional support and care. Another way it could affect children's emotional well being and development is that by the lack of nutrition, the children are getting the right nutrients they need to develop properly. Thus, it could result in certain disabilities or parts not developed properly. This could led children to being teased by others, and lower their self-esteem.

It just breaks my heart knowing that there are countries that lack so many resources, when we have so many here in the United States. The early childhood stage is such a vital stage in making sure our children develop properly and successful, and when you lack the resources for that, it can really affect the child's life. By doing this assignment I have learned that as an early childhood professional, I need to make sure all children have the resources they need to develop successful. If I notice a family or children lack things they need, I can help that child and family in order to make sure the child gets all the needed resources to develop successful and fully.

Reference:
UNICEF. (2015). UNICEF: Latin American and Caribbean. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/lac/

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

Looking at the topic of sexualization in early childhood, it scares me the amount of information that our children know. They are getting this information from the media, TV shows, movies video games, books, toy, and etc. Children have always been curious about sex and sexuality from an early age, and we need to remember to give them honest and age-appropriate information (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).  As kids begin to learn information younger and younger, I feel it is going to cause them to grow up quicker, This is why I feel it is even more important that as early childhood professionals we are setting the right example and tone with the children. It is going to be our job to remind the children to be kids and not try to grow up so quickly.

Looking at some examples from my personal and professional experiences when working with young children that illustrate the exposure of young children to a highly sexualized environment is that one time I had a young girl tell me the kids at school call her fat. She was no where near being fat, but compared to the other girls she was more "huskier" then the other girls. Another example I have seen is parents donating magazine to the center for the kids to use in the art center. The donations of magazines is great, but the magazines may not be age appropriate, thus exposing kids to things they shouldn't be. My final example from experiences that illustrate young children being exposed to highly sexualized environment is how the parents dress. Some parents dress is such seductive clothing, that if the children are exposed to that, they may feel they have to dress that way too, and expect others too.

Some of these examples may have negative implications on children. For example, the girl that was called fat could feel that she needs to lose weight already as a young children. That is the least of the things a young child needs to be worrying about. If this happened in my early childhood classroom I would explain to the girl that she is beautiful and everyone is made differently. I would also explain to her that she shouldn't have to change anything about her. Same goes with the dress. I would need to explain to students that we need to dress modestly when coming to class, and that our clothes should be a reflection of how we want people to treat us.

I actually talked to my friend about this concept because she currently teaches in an preschool center, and she mentioned how children are exposed to the idea of sexualization all the time. From the commercials they see on TV, to watching what their parents do, say or wear, to the games they play on their tablets now days, children are being exposed to these concepts far more than we can ever imagine. My friend often talks about how she is probably going to be a terrible mother because she is going to be strict on her children to limit the exposure. I feel that being exposed to sexualization is going to cause our children to grow up a lot quicker, and thus taking away from their childhood. Childhood is change for children to be care-free and enjoy life, not worrying about the way the dress or how the look.

Reference:
Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf