Saturday, March 29, 2014

WEEK 4 COMMUNICATION


                                                        WEEK 4 BLOG:

                     
                                        COMMUNCATION

What is the one thing that surprised you the most? Why? I think one thing that surprise me the most about how I communicate is that other people view me the same way. I always thought I was a people person but  I never notice that it was so noticeable that I felt very uncomfortable in many communication contexts. I always felt confident when I communicated but I never thought other people notice the way I communicated to others especially my Supervisor Donna views was the same as my husband Ahmed.

What other insights about communication did you gain this week? I realize that self-concept and self-efficacy and self-esteem plays a important part in the way we communicate with other people. I also learn that my self-presentation is the perception others may view me. I feel it is ok for others to criticize or express their opinion because I believe their is a healthy way to express your opinion about someone and a unhealthy way. However I do believe that having a strong self-esteem about yourself is very important and to always be aware of others feelings.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Blog Assignment Week 3

                           Diversity and Communication:

                             
Communication

Do you find yourself communicating differently with people from different groups and cultures?
       If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently? I don't find myself communicating with people from different groups or culture differently. I find myself  communicating the same with everyone. I try to treat people "as they  themselves would like to be treated" ( Beebe, Beebe, Redmond, 2011 pg.114). The  Platinum Rule is a way I been communicating with children and their families. Shouldn't matter if your culture is different people are people and we should respect their space. I also don't like when I see group of children or people treat another person different because they don't look the same or dress the same as their group. "Cultural Myopia is especially dangerous when members of the dominant group in a society are unaware of or are insensitive toward the needs and values of members of others in the same society" (O'Hair, Wiemann 2012 pg.45). This behavior is so inhumane and so wrong I do not condone this type of behavior. However nonverbal communication I am finding myself becoming more aware of different signs and expressions on people faces and hand movement. Sometimes I can have a mom walk in my class and her face expressions tells me that she is having a rough morning. I will remind them to take it easy and not to worry or just give them hug. I truly believe their energy can rub off on my student and they will have a bad morning. Positive energy is a the key for a good and bless day.

Reference:
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's

Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
  • Saturday, March 15, 2014

    Communication Skills and Styles

                                                             AMERICAN PICKERS
    I decided to watch the American Pickers. This Episode is from January 29th,2014. It was called
                                                      "For a Few Dollar More"

    Watch the show with the sound turned off.
    What do you think the characters' relationships are based on the ways in which they are communicating? During the episode it was located in Colorado. In the beginning it showed the one Lady talking on the phone to one of the Gentlemen and they were laughing and smiling. Next part the two men were in their Van driving and it look like they were looking for a location. They stop and got at of the Van and walked into a building were a older lady walked over to them and she was smiling and shook their hand and gave them a hug. It look like they knew each other and was happy to see one another. The next thing I notice the men were picking up different things and they were talking to her and her face expressions were different every time they would pick up something in her store or building.
    What are they feeling and expressing based on the nonverbal behavior you are observing? There seem to be a lot of smiles and laughing and hugging. I also look as if they know each other because when the men met the lady in the store she hug them both and she was smiling and laughing. They seem to be very happy during this episode.
    Now, watch the show with the sound turned on.
    What assumptions did you make about the characters and plot based on the ways in which you interpreted the communication you observed? OMG! The two guys call back to their shop and talk to the girl Daniel in their shop about where to go and pick and the location she sends them to are usually the people want to sell their items. This trip the one guy happen to know the lady from before. I was right!!! He met her  couple of years ago at a auction.  the lady was selling items from her families shop that they had over the years. She was planning on moving away. When they wanted to buy something from her, she would give them a high price and they would give her a lower price. The face expression really told the story. It really seem like she told them high prices because she didn't want to sell her items. At the end she sold the items but each items seem to have some type of value that the men could sell it at a high price once they resell them.
    Would your assumptions have been more correct if you had been watching a show you know well? I think  my assumption would have been more correct if I really watch this program. I was totally surprise that I was right about some of my assumptions. This was not a easy program to follow because they kept showing different pictures from the pass.
     

    Saturday, March 8, 2014

    COMMUNICATION:

    Who Demonstrates Competent Communication :

                                                                    OPRAH WINDREY
    There is no one who demonstrates competent communication more than Oprah Winfrey. She is not only a entrepreneur but she is a gifted speaker who brought life to the way she communicate. Through-out her journey of her TV show. Oprah was able to capture millions of viewer hearts by the way she spoke and communicated on her program. She is able to show compassion for her guest on her show and listen to what they have to say. She is a extraordinary philanthropist who have one of the biggest heart in the world. Her activism and charity have help million of children around the world. Oprah have demonstrate the ultimate respect for honesty, fairness among diverse people."Winfrey is a dedicated activist for children's rights; in 1994, President Clinton signed a bill into law that Winfrey had proposed to Congress, creating a nationwide database of convicted child abusers. She founded the Family for Better Lives foundation and also contributes to her alma mater, Tennessee State University. In September 2002,"( www.people.com/people/oprah_winfrey)

    There is no doubt in my mind I would love to model some of my communication behavior after Ms. Oprah Winfrey. Her disposition alone inspires me to be a better communicator and listener. she encourage me to be compassion, respectable to others by being good listener and communicator. These skills will enhance my ability to become a better educator among those who face hard time because of their culture, religion, and diverse life style.

    Reference:
    www.people.com/people/oprah_winfrey

    Saturday, March 1, 2014

    Professional Hopes and Goals

     


    Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice:

     “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

    One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length) Everyday I pray to God for a better place for families who are less fortune but  I also pray for equity and justice for those who are being mistreated by prejudice, microaggression and discrimination. “People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite... Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never explained.” Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom     I hope one day there will be no more prejudice and discrimination in this world. I hope by teaching children at a young age about equity and social justice will help develop better society. 
    One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length) Through-out my studies and working win early childhood field. I would love to have families and children from all ethnicity work together saving our children from poverty. As a educator I realize education have no color, no shape, and no size and it doesn't even matter if you are gay or Christian. We need to put all of these thing aside and educate our children prevent poverty from happening. “Over coming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”    Nelson Mandela

     A brief note of thanks to your colleagues:

    I want thank my colleagues, for such a great semester. I have learned  so much more about diversity and "ism", equity and social justice through-out your post and discussions. It feels great to know we can fight this battle together. May God bless all of you.

    Reference:
    www.good.com/author/quotes/Nelson Mandela/





    Saturday, February 22, 2014

    Welcoming Families From Around the World


    The name of “your” family’s country of origin Laos:
     
    Children of Laos
     


    At least five ways in which you will prepare yourself to be culturally responsive towards this family:
    1. Learn about their native language: This is important because children will be speaking in their native language for many thing it is important that I know some words  to help them feel comfortable in class. for example their language "Lao (or Laotian) belongs to the Tai language family which also includes Thai, Shan, and languages spoken by smaller, related ethnic groups in Laos, Thailand, Burma, southern China, and northern Vietnam. The languages in the Tai family all share a common grammar and tone structure.
    -Lao is spoken not only in Laos but in Northeastern Thailand, an area called “Isan”, and the language itself is often called “Isan” (or pha-sa Ee-san) in Thailand. The languages are basically the same but have some differences between them which developed because of historical differences between the Isan area and Laos.
    -The Lao language has many regional varieties in both Laos and Northeastern Thailand. This web site (and the phrasebook on the web site) describe the language as it’s spoken in Vientiane, the capital of the Lao P.D.R. The main difference between these varieties is tonal - different varieties will have some changes in tone from the Vientiane Lao tone chart. There are also some differences in vocabulary from region to region"(thailao.netlaofact).
    2. Learn about their culture: Learning about the culture would help me to understand why the children may act the way they do especially if they are to loud or they don't talk at all. For example,
    "Laos was once known as Lan Xang, meaning "the Kingdom of a Million Elephants." It was given the name by King Fa Ngum in 1353.  In a home setting, meals are served while siting on a mat. The Lao eat with a fork in the left hand. Some ethnic minority languages have never been codified in written form. A small percentage of older people and those who attended high school prior to.       The eldest man is the patriarch of the family. The Lao have great respect for their parents and elders. Among the Hmong, the household. Lao women wear western- style blouses with colorful calf-length, sarong-style skirts made of locally hand-woven materials in multicolor designs and fastened with a silver link"(www.wveryculture.com).
    3. The third thing I would prepare is custom. When children come from another country it is very hard for them to get use to new custom. I would want the class to learn their custom and than help teach our new student our custom so it is important to know their custom. For example during nap time it will be hard for many of the children to go to sleep because many of them never sleep by them self. Majority of their meal is served with sticky rice it will take sometime before they get use to having a meal without the sticky rice.

    4. The fourth way is asking the family if I could visit their home so I could get a better understanding of their culture. I would asked if the children would also like to bring something from home to make thing a little more comfortable for them. This is common at our school, especially when we have a new student that comes from another country we ask the parents if we can visit their home so the children or child can feel comfortable with us in their own environment.

    5. The fifth way I would ask the families if they would like to come into the class and sit with their child one day during the week for the day to make child feel comfortable and the parent feel at easy. This would set the tone for the new families here in their new school.

     
    A brief statement in what ways you hope that these preparation will benefit both you and the family?
     I  would hope the family would feel the warm and the welcome from the other children in the class. I would want them to be as comfortable as if they were still in their country. The most important benefit I want them to know is that I am here from them if they need me and my staff is also here for them.

    Reference:

    www.thailao.netllaofact.htm

    www.everyculture.com
     





                             
     








     
     
     

    Saturday, February 15, 2014

    The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

    This was the most unforgotten day every for all people of all cultures. People from all over died that day because of one person of hatred in their heart. Therefore many people suffered in many ways because of this incident. Thousands of people were killed and injured and a terrible war begin against  a  culture or should I say against Muslim and I mean all Muslim people. There was a bias and microaggression happening against all Muslim or Islamic people. We were target as terrorist and  are religion was also target as  terrorist practice. Millions of Islamic people around the world watch a small group of terrorist destroy the repetition and credibility of our faith and our religion go down the hill. People all over the world believe that all Muslim or Islamic people are terrorist. This type of microaggression and discrimination was not only hurtful for me but people didn't even want to know how beautiful our religion was and how much we love God and his grace for us. 
     
     
    What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
    In order for anyone to understand other people culture. We must not pass judgment on people. We need to treat everyone equal and if one person in a religious group or some type of group want to act crazy . Please , don't blame or make the whole group of people suffer because sometimes it is just that one person or that one group of people and not the whole community. Dr. Martin Luther King states "I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright day break of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. I believed that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word" ( King Jr., 1963).
     
    Reference
    www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
    :