Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

 

Organizations, or Communities of Practice or support of the Culturally and linguistic family

 

 





Responding to Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Recommendations for Effective Early Childhood Education

https://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSDIV98.PDF

 

Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families in Early Care Policies and Practice

http://www.clasp.org/resources-and-publications/publication-1/0512.pdf

 Diversity Toolkit - Mississippi Arts Commission

www.arts.ms.gov/documents/DiversityToolkitFinal.pdf

 Mississippi State Department of Health- Cultural and Linguistic Services

http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/44,0,236,676.html

Supporting Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners in English Education

http://www.ncte.org/cee/positions/diverselearnersinee

 

Unfortunately, most of the links to these programs are not actual organizations or communities of practice, but happen to offer great sources. as the NAEYC offers special services and information regarding culturally and linguistically diverse families, such as dealing with the issue at hand. The Mississippi State Department of Health happened to be one of my favorites, in which they offer services to culturally diverse families all through the state of Mississippi and each county divided into nine districts. For employment purposes, I read how there are employees who work as language translators for the non-English speakers. If I were to be fluent in speaking another language, I would definitely be interested in a position such as this.

 

The other links that I located were mostly resources that serve as guides on developing skills for the diverse families and the benefits that may possibly follow. This is the beginning of a long journey for me. I do not feel that I located the best resources for my project, however, I am still searching.



Time Well Spent

         This course has been very interesting and educational for me. I learned things that were simple but hardly recognized and taken for granted, when it was practically right at my fingertips the entire time. Throughout this course and program as a whole, I can recall some of the heartfelt lessons that I would not mind sharing at all. Understanding that working with diverse children and families means not only that we just teach children of different races and cultures for 6 or eight hours a day, but to respect them, love them and accept them for exactly who they are, not matter their identity, sex, age, religion, physical ability or appearance and any other make up about them that makes them difference. I believe that I have adopted the idea of “teaching to strength” mostly because I felt that this was a reversal technique that seems to reap many benefits for the better. As early childhood educators, why not learn to remember and speak on more of the accomplishments of the child than failures? “Unfortunately many of our assessment tools work that way, we try to figure out what children don't know so that we can make sure that we can catch up, and we can teach them what they don't know.” (Laureate Education 2011). Secondly, I enjoyed learning how to and the importance of communicating. I have realized how important it is to sometimes sit back and actively listen to children, which can even help you answers question you have in mind without even having to actually ask. Lastly, I felt very intrigued about learning of children with varied disabilities, the discomforts they may possess, along with misconceptions, as well as for other children they come in contact with. From the different scenarios I have read, I have learned how to handle negative situations in these cases to make a positive turnout for both parties.

         I do not think that I can say it any clearer than this, but by describing those three aspects of my learning experience for this program. I hope to be able to someday each and every aspect of those listed above and have the strength, courage and knowledge to influence someone else to do the same as I did, and the same for someone else as well.

 

         I would like to thank Dr. Pickens for being such a great instructor. Thank you for such insightful messages and compliments throughout my discussions, applications and blogs. I enjoyed your class and I will miss it. To my colleagues, you all REALLY ROCK!! I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with each and every one of you. I appreciate your comments and inputs that helped me to broaden my thinking when it came to certain topics. I will miss you all very much!! I hope all is well and I wish you all the best of luck in your future :}

 

 

References

 

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