Communication and Culture

There can be many barriers to effective communication age, gender, race, ability, or culture. Differences may cause anxiety or stress  in situations. It is important to be open and honest and gain an understanding through communication.  Generally I speak differently with different groups of people. I speak differently with staff, parents/families and children. Communication needs to be considerate of individuals and situations.
 My three strategies:
1.Keep the message simple, but deep in meaning.
2. Demonstrate respect for cultural diversity in all communication with children, their families, staff,  and others
3. use communication to develop and maintain effective relationships, make efforts where language barriers exist, to communicate in the most effective way possible.


References:
http://sielearning.tafensw.edu.au/MCS/9362/Sterilisation%20disk%203/lo/7373/7373_00.htm
http://blogs.hbr.org/2011/08/eight-ways-to-energize-your-te/

Thought for Today:

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. ~ Benjamin Franklin

Communication Skills and Styles

I watched a show called "Good Luck Charlie". In the opening scene it seemed to be a mother son relationship by facial expressions and body language. It appeared as though the mother was asking the son to do something and he dismissed her and then walked away.

The next scene seemed to be a brother sister relationship it was difficult to figure out what was happening.
The next scene was a young daughter- father, the father appeared to be a tad upset as he was talking to the little girl. She then climb up onto the couch and gave him a hug.

It was a mother and son discussing that he should be put his laundry away. His phone rang and he ignored and walked away.

They were a brother sister and the sister asked if she could use his apartment for a slumber party to get away from their Mom.

The Dad was upset his former employee left and started the same business. The young daughter comforted Dad with a hug.

I was shocked as to how much disrespect was shown toward the mother. I am concerned as to what youth is watching on the Disney Channel.

Competent communication

I attended a Creative Curriculum training this past week. The presenter was

Kendra Curtiss-Tomaski, MA

kcurtiss@midmich.edu

Ms. Curtiss-Tomaski has been an Early Childhood Education adjunct instructor at MMCC for nearly 20 years. She has held a variety of positions in this field and is a Conscious Discipline Trainer. She brings professional experience to her teaching role in the classroom. Ms. Curtiss-Tomaski is currently the Early Childhood Director at Clare-Gladwin RESD.

I did ask her if I could use her in this blog. She replied "Thank you" and "yes".

Kendra was warm and welcoming. Throughout the presentation Kendra was prepared, knowledgeable and shared her personal experiences. She walked the room and  made eye contact with group. She asked questions and listened to the responses of the group. She showed respect to the group and in return the group was respectful of her. They were attentive and participated in the training. Kendra showed great qualities in communication throughout her presentation.

I enjoyed the review of Creative curriculum and  was impressed at the skills that Kendra showed in being a competent communicator.  I will used this experience in the future in doing my own presentations with staff and families.

 

Professional Hopes and Goals

I have wanted to understand and meet the needs of the children and families that I serve. With new information I look forward to beginning this school year and sharing what I have learned. I believe that understanding our children and families is much bigger than what I have done in the past!
I have staff meetings prepared to introduce materials to gather information.

I want to "Thank" my classmates, group, family, and Dr. Schonleber  for all of their help and support over the past eight weeks.      

 I have been working on my new home! and have had a great summer with family.

 

 

 

                                  

 

Family Reunion 4 of my children

 

 My daughter's new puppies

 3 weeks old

Milford Criterion 2013 our home town. My son finished 3rd with family cheering at the finish line!       Very proud Mom!

I look forward to the next class. One more step to the finish line.

Masters Degree

Welcoming Families From Around the World

Syria

 

The five ways that I would prepare my self to be culturally responsive towards any family

1. To learn the family primary language.

             Arabic is the official language. . The Syrian dialect is similar to Jordanian and Egyptian and varies little from Modern Standard Arabic.

2. To learn the families ethnic relationship.

The majority of the country is Arabic and Sunni Muslim. This makes for strong cultural unity. The most important observation in the Islamic calendar is Ramadan.

3. I would want to know who cares for the children and what their goals are for their child.

    Children are considered a blessing and highly valued. A great deal of affections is shown toward children. There is a special bond between mother and son. (Especially with the oldest son).

4. I would want to learn about family eating habits and foods that the family eats.

 Wheat is a staple food. Dairy, fruits ( figs, dates, plums & watermelon)  and vegetables are eaten. Lamb and chicken is eaten and prepared specially “halal”. Some dishes include  hummous  , a puree of chickpeas and  tahini  (ground sesame paste);  baba ganouj,  an eggplant puree; meat rissoles; stuffed grape leaves;  tabouleh  (a salad of cracked wheat and vegetables);  falafel  (deep-fried balls of mashed chickpeas); and pita bread. Olives, lemon, parsley, onion, and garlic are used for flavoring. Food is an important part of holidays and celebrations.

 

5. I would ask the family for family pictures and information that they would like to share with our program.

: http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Syria.html#ixzz2cGJw16pp

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

I heard this song on the radio. I think this says so much!



"Same Love"
Macklemore

(with Ryan Lewis)
(feat. Mary Lambert)

When I was in the third grade I thought that I was gay,
'Cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight.
I told my mom, tears rushing down my face
She's like "Ben you've loved girls since before pre-k, trippin' "
Yeah, I guess she had a point, didn't she?
Bunch of stereotypes all in my head.
I remember doing the math like, "Yeah, I'm good at little league"
A preconceived idea of what it all meant
For those that liked the same sex
Had the characteristics
The right wing conservatives think it's a decision
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
Man-made rewiring of a predisposition
Playing God, aw nah here we go
America the brave still fears what we don't know
And God loves all his children, is somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago
I don't know

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me
Have you read the YouTube comments lately?
"Man, that's gay" gets dropped on the daily
We become so numb to what we're saying
A culture founded from oppression
Yet we don't have acceptance for 'em
Call each other faggots behind the keys of a message board
A word rooted in hate, yet our genre still ignores it
Gay is synonymous with the lesser
It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment
The same fight that led people to walk outs and sit ins
It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference!
Live on and be yourself
When I was at church they taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service those words aren't anointed
That holy water that you soak in has been poisoned
When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same, but that's not important
No freedom till we're equal, damn right I support it

(I don't know)

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

We press play, don't press pause
Progress, march on
With the veil over our eyes
We turn our back on the cause
Till the day that my uncles can be united by law
When kids are walking 'round the hallway plagued by pain in their heart
A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are
And a certificate on paper isn't gonna solve it all
But it's a damn good place to start
No law is gonna change us
We have to change us
Whatever God you believe in
We come from the same one
Strip away the fear
Underneath it's all the same love
About time that we raised up

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I try
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is patient
Love is kind
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
Love is kind