Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

I asked three different people what was their definition about culture and diversity. The first person I asked was my aunt Deanna. She described culture as an appreciation for good literature, music, art, and food. Aunt Deanna expressed that culture is a learned life where people learn to do things based on the life they have seen growing up. In other words, culture is a learned behavior pattern. Diversity to my aunt Deana means a wide range of people and different things. She goes on to say that diversity is not just about color it’s also about having difference of opinion and being able to understand another person’s point of view.

The second person I spoke to was my cousin Yvette. Yvette describes culture as a way certain races communicate, interact and take care of social or personal situations in a certain way. She describes diversity as a composition of various elements for example, culture, ethnicity, and race.

The third person I asked was my friend Randy. Randy describes culture as the way you dressed, act, religious beliefs, the foods you eat, and political views. She describes diversity as people who are of different race, ethnicity, nationality, and religion. Randy expressed that diversity is to understand and accept that people are different and do things differently depending upon their culture.

After examining the answers I received, it allowed me to learn that culture and diversity have different meanings for people. Most of the answers that were included touch on the surface layers of culture, the things that are notice most in someone’s culture. For example, my aunt Deanna described culture as good food, art, and music. These are characteristics that are most commonly used when describing culture. The answers I received did not include the core of culture. For instance, no one spoke about specific characteristics of their culture, like mannerisms or specific behavioral patterns. Prior to taking this course, if I was to ask myself what would be my definition of culture and diversity, my answers would likely only consists of the surface layers of culture and diversity. I feel fortunate to be able to find deeper meaning and understanding in culture and diversity.

My Family Culture

If there was a major catastrophe that has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of my country and I was told that my family and I had to evacuate to another country but I could only take three small items with me, the three items I would take is my mother’s ring, a picture of my mother, and my iPod with Spanish music. The reason for bringing a picture of my mother and her ring is because my mother is deceased and she represents a large part of my family culture. My mother is one of the main people in my life who taught me about my own culture. Having a picture and ring is a symbol that I could hold dear to me and it would give me comfort in the new country. The third object that I would bring is Spanish music. I am from Panama a Spanish speaking country and Spanish music represents part of my culture. Listening to Spanish music wherever I am, I would be able to reminisce about my own culture while still enjoying a part of who I am. If upon arrival to the new country I was told that I was only allowed to keep one of the items that I brought, the item I would choose is my mother’s ring. Although all three items mean a lot to me, I chose the ring because it a symbol of my culture and heritage that I can carry on me wherever I go.

I enjoyed this exercise because it allowed me to dig deep into myself and who I am. When I think of my family, I just know that these are the people that are dear to me and that I love with all my heart. However, this exercise taught me that my family has more meaning and that the simple things that we take for granted, like learning to tie our shoes, how we speak, how we dress all makes up our culture and is the true meaning of family culture.

When I Think of Research...

Prior to taking this course my connection with research was limited to either hearing about them or reading about them. This course has affirmed to me that research allows for a better understanding of the chosen topic, proves information to unknown questions, and it confirms ideas. I can honestly say I have a new found appreciation and respect for research.

Taking this course has taught me that research consists of many components. There were many things I found interesting about this course. For example, I learned that ethics is a very important part of research. It is important to obtain consent of all the participants involved, that participants have rights and deserve to be respected and their information must be kept confidential. Learning about the different designs was quite enlightening. This course has taught me that research is not just about numbers, there is a process for collecting data to make your research valid.

This course was challenging in some ways. For instance, putting together my first research simulation was not easy. My first research simulation lacked information and I didn’t quite understand how to complete it. However, I didn’t give up and by my second research simulation I was able to process my research simulation and it began to evolve.

After taking this course, it confirmed to me that research is an important part of early childhood education. Therefore, early childhood professionals should always refer back to research to gain more knowledge of the field.

It was a pleasure taking this course with my colleagues. Each one of you brought something enlightening to the table.

Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International perspectives on theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Research Around the World

Early childhood education programs are forever evolving and there are so many organizations that conduct research for the betterment of children. The European Early Childhood Research Associate (EECRA), is one of the largest research organizations in Europe that provide research professionals the opportunity to show case their research studies. This is a great opportunity for individuals, local government, and non profit organizations to come together and share thoughts and ideas in the early childhood field.

One of the things I found interesting with (EECRA) is researchers who become members have the opportunity to join forces with other professionals from different organizations to research specific subjects on early childhood. These particular members are known as Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and the purpose for these groups is to bring about information that can benefit children and families nationally. Currently, there are several topics being research. One of the topics that are currently being research is young people’s perspectives. The purpose of this research is to evaluate and explain children’s perspective. An important part of the study is to engage children’s perspective and participation in research. This is one of many research topics (SIGs) members take part in.

 The European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECERJ) is one of the most impressive research journals. Professionals in early childhood programs would find these journals helpful when dealing with children and their families. The journals provide updated research topics such as, Birth to Three and Outdoor Play and Learning. Both topics mentioned play an important role in early childhood and as a professional keeping inform of what’s happening in early childhood around the world is essential.

 Retrieved from http://www.eecera.org/

Research that Benefits Children and Families

Research as we know can benefit children and their families in many ways. As I continue to move forward with my research simulation, I have been reading up on studies that affect children and their families, particularly aggression. I found a very interesting research article about a study done on first graders in South Korea who exhibit depression, aggression, and suicidal ideations. The participants consisted of 707 first grade students and their mothers. The study was conducted in five schools in South Korea.

In the past ten years there has been a rise in suicidal rates amongst juveniles in South Korea.  Performing a study with children as young as age seven could provide information on whether or not early intervention programs will work,  how early the onset of these behaviors occur, and possible give some understanding as to why these behaviors are happening in children.

What I found interesting in this study is that children as young as seven years old are suffering from depression and aggression, leading to suicidal thoughts. Research such as this, leads me wanting to know if the environment plays a role in the on set of depression, aggression, and suicidal thoughts in adolescents.

Min, H. J., Duk-In Jon, Myung, H. J., Hong, N., Song, M. A., Young, S. K., . . . Hong, H. J. (2012). Depression, aggression, and suicidal ideation in first graders: A school-based cross-sectional study. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 53(8), 1145-52. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.05.004

http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqcentral/docview/1115564488/13BD763F08A2D986F7B/22?accountid=14872

My Personal Research Journey

Learning to conduct research is essential to every professional. Throughout my college and professional career I have completed many research papers. However, I admit that this is my first time learning that there is a method to quality research. This journey thus far has made me aware of the step by step process it takes to find quality electronic articles, the different methods used to research, and techniques used to make a rather complex article simple to read.

Throughout this process I realize that I wanted to research why young children have aggressive behaviors and how the environment plays a role. This topic resonates with me because aggressive behaviors have become a growing problem in society. Therefore, understanding why young children are becoming more aggressive and questioning whether or not the environment contributes to these behaviors can help children, their families and professionals. Research is not only about probing questions but it’s also a tool used to find solutions to many issues.

Below is an article I discovered in the Walden Library that I found interesting. The article questions if classroom environment plays a role in aggressive behaviors in children. The finding in this study concluded that children who come in contact with excessive amounts of aggression in their beginning years of school develop aggressive behavioral issues over time.

I am hoping that my classmates can offer some advice on any articles pertaining to my research simulation.

Thomas, D. E., & Bierman, K. L. (2006). The impact of classroom aggression on the development of aggressive behavior problems in children. Development and Psychopathology, 18(2), 471-87. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/201698372?accountid=14872

My Personal Research Journey

Learning to conduct research is essential to every professional. Throughout my college and professional career I have completed many research papers. However, I admit that this is my first time learning that there is method to quality research. This journey thus far has made me aware of the step by step process it takes to find quality electronic articles, the different methods used to research, and technique used to make a rather complex article simple to read.

Throughout this process I realize that I wanted to research why young children have aggressive behaviors and how the environment plays a role. This topic resonates with me because aggressive behaviors have become a growing problem in society. Therefore, understanding why young children are becoming more aggressive and questioning whether or not the environment contributes to these behaviors can help children, their families and professionals. Research is not only about probing questions but it’s also a tool used to find solutions to many issues.

Below is an article I discovered in the Walden Library that I found interesting. The article questions if classroom environment plays a role in aggressive behaviors in children. The finding in this study concluded that children who come in contact with excessive amounts of aggression in their beginning years of school develop aggressive behavioral issues over time.

I am hoping that my classmates can offer some advice on any articles pertaining to my research simulation.

Thomas, D. E., & Bierman, K. L. (2006). The impact of classroom aggression on the development of aggressive behavior problems in children. Development and Psychopathology, 18(2), 471-87. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/201698372?accountid=14872