Blog: Professional Hopes and Goals

One hope that I have when working with children and families from diverse backgrounds is that they feel welcomed in our center and that they see themselves in the classrooms. I want children and families to feel safe and comfortable. I hope that my center is well rounded and gives the feeling of acceptance for all!

Side note: I wrote a grant through my community college a few weeks ago to add diversity to our classrooms and got it! I am very excited. I have $4000.00 dollars to get our classrooms up to speed reflecting the families and community we serve. :)

The one goal I would like to set locally for my center is to be an example of diversity, equity, and social justice.

Thank you to all of my peers for sharing all their information through discussions and blogs. I appreciate everyone's willingness to express their personal thoughts and feeling on diversity, equity, and social justice along with all the other topics we discussed over the course of 8 weeks.

Josie Zbaeren

Welcoming Families From Around the World

The family I chose is from Brazil. After researching families in Brazil I found out some interesting facts.

Facts and Culturally Responsive:

1. The language of Brazilian people is Portuguese. I will learn some key words to help the children adjust to my child care center.

2. The common religion of Brazil is Roman Catholic. I would talk to the parent’s about their traditions and find out their family values. I would explain that our center respects all families. The culture of our classroom is reflective of all children and families. I would address who they asked me to on educational related topics (father, mother, or both). In many Brazilian families there is a hierarchy and I would want to know where they stand not to offend their traditional values.

3. The country is diverse in culture. The majority of the population comes from mixed races. Most people come from a mix of European, African and Indigenous ancestry (kwintessential, 2012). I will post pictures that are familiar to the family. Invite them to share photos as well so the children feel represented in the classroom.

4. There is a class order in Brazil, which is based on economic status and color of skin. I would take interest in how they feel about “class” order. I would let them know that we strive for equity in our center and everyone will have the same opportunities to explore, learn, and create as individuals. I would also explain our curriculum on cultural acceptance.

5. Brazilian families are often large and extended family is important. I would meet with the family and have an interpreter available if needed. I would ask what their goals for their children are. I would ask what their experiences with childcare are and how I can help their children feel safe and welcomed.

The ways I hope these preparations benefit both myself and the family is taking away the unknown. I believe getting to know each other’s expectations takes the fear out of joining our early learning center. I want to respect the family as individuals and their values as well. I also want them to understand our mission at my center.

Josie Zbaeren

I chose Brazil for this assignment because my sister in law, her husband, and their daughter are moving to Brazil at the first of the year for her work. They will live and work in Brazil. Chase their daughter will attend 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grade in Brazil. They have started to learn Portuguese and they are preparing for an exciting adventure!

http://family.lovetoknow.com/family-values/brazilian-family-values

 http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/brazil-country-profile.html

Perosnal Side of Bias

I remember as a child watching the show Different Strokes. This show was about a white family (man and daughter) that adopted two black boys. A guy friend asked the daughter to a dance. He was a racist. She tested him by coloring her skin black like her brothers to see if he would still take her to the dance. He did not take her because he did not want to take a black girl.

He did not look at people of color as equal to him. At the time I did not feel much however it did bring up conversations in our family. It was a time of learning. We are equal regardless of skin color. In this incident the boy would need to change in order for equity to occur.

Josie Zbaeren