Why is it important to learn other perspectives?

Why is it important to see the world in different perspectives? Why do we have be sensitive why other cultures and beliefs? All of these questions where thought in my head from reading the two stories Why We Banned Legos and Rethinking the Three Little Pigs. These stories explains how to teach children to look into different perspectives because we don't want others to feel left out or discouraged. For example, Carl and Oliver are examples on how Legos could be unfair and non-collaborative. This incident explains how some children could have more power than others. Also just because on the shape, size, or color determines that is better than any other lego.

Luckily, teachers and parents were very consistent and motivated to teacher their children how to be cooperative, collaborative, and able to problem solve. The reason this was so successful is because teachers and parents presented different perspectives for the children to visualize on why legos could be a bad influence with inequality. Even when the children could not see the bad side teachers and parents did not give up, but gave different examples for children to solve on their own to understand the problem.

From reading these two stories made me realize how careful you have to be on selecting activities for children. We as teachers need to find appropriate and effective activities to help children grow with all developmental areas. Since we live in Hawaii we have a large ethnic diversity. For that reason we need to be open-minded and able to adapt with different beliefs and habits. For example, I work with a girl who have a strong Filipino background. I make sure to research on their culture and customs so I can make her feel comfortable. I would ask about their food and traditions. She was happy to share her culture and also asked about mine. This created a stronger bond because this shows that we respect each other and willing to work with one another.

Is sex-role stereotypes ever going to end?

From the book Rethinking Early Childhood Education mentions around 40 years our society has experienced changes of gender equity in education after a trip to the mall. They say that toys stores still remain selling sex-role stereotype toys. The norm for boy toys are G.I. Joe, cars, trucks, weapons, and other destructive toys, and for girls are Barbie, Polly pocket, dress up, and other dainty toys.

Now teachers are trying to change it up. They want to teach children anybody can play with any toy. You don't have to be a girl to play with dolls or you don't have to be a boy to play action figures. We have to try and make children to feel comfortable to do anything. For example, growing up as a kid I would always want the boy toy from McDonalds because of the car. But my mom said "No you're a girl and girls get the Barbie not cars. I couldn't understand why it was such a big deal. All my life I was puzzled and wonder why I couldn't get dirty with my boy cousins or play sports. Later on, my teacher spoke with my mom and said that I was very talented in sports and I should try out. My mom was very amazed by my teacher's comments that she accepted who I am and let me be whoever I wanted to be.

From reading both stories, I was able to relate to it because I was exactly like that. Therefore, whenever I had the chance to teach children or work with my clients I always made sure that they can do anything what they love. No one can stop them and they're unique in what they do. Every obstacle is a challenge to better themselves and to be better and stronger people.

Do you think we can find our way back?

“We live in a culture that dismisses the significance of an ecological identity, a culture that encourages us to move around, rather than by intimate connection to the land, the sky, the air. Any place can be home.” Ann Pelo mentioned this quote in the book Rethinking Early Childhood Education. This explains our generation people don’t really have a place called home. I believe we are taking things for granted. For example, in Hawaii people built golf courses, homes, buildings, and hotels on secret Hawaiian lands. Technology, economy, government, and political reasons are destroying many Hawaiians that cherish their lands and nature.

Another example, countries building transportation, cutting down tree, and wasting water. These actions affect our environment and health. If we just conserve, recycle, and reuse items, we can teach children and others great habit to save our earth.

As teachers we need to teach children how to connect to a place, find their ecological identity, and help shape themselves to their own culture and social identity. We need to show children different emotions, perspectives, and use collaboration to start this journey. When children have these connections they begin to be confident with learning and comfortable in their own skin.

Ways to support or help engage these concepts are to read books and have activities that relate to endangered species, rainforest, pollution, recycling, and different cultural connections to the earth. From doing these activities and reading children broaden their perspectives about our environment and lifestyles. Children will begin to appreciate where they live and contribute great actions on how to take care of our environment.

Should I fight for what I believe is right?

From high school to beginning of college I always seemed to be the follower just because I didn't want to cause tension. From this action, I realized I'm only hurting myself. Now I began to come out of my shell and fight for my own and other rights. Sometimes I win my battles and sometimes I lose. But on the end I will always try to do the right thing and stand up for what I believe in.

The story about "Unwrapping the Holidays," by Dale Wess reflects on her difficult first year of teaching. She believed during holidays like winter celebrations, teachers should recognize all winter celebrations like Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Winter Solstice. Many teachers were against it and felt they have more than enough experience on how to celebrate holidays. But this teacher fought for what she believe in by educating teachers and children. She also tried to see both ends of the spectrum to not disrespect others. This teacher is a great example of teaching children diversity, determination, confidence, and cooperation.

When I worked at a preschool as an aide I had approached a similar situation. One incident I had faces was when a teacher made the children do an art activity on cows. She wanted the class to draw, color, and cut out a cow exactly like her model she created. When the children couldn't do it, the teacher made them redo it and help them draw it for them. After the activity I had suggested the teacher to construct free art activities that can expand their creativity. The teacher was furious we me and mention she know what she's doing and taught for years. I respected her for what she preached but I still stuck to what I believed in. So when it was my turn to come up with an art activity I had children to make a collage with different colors, textures, and sizes of paper. The children were able to create anything they wanted. The next day, the teacher made the children make puppets by coloring a lion, cutting, and pasting it on a brown paper bag.

Later I decided to speak with our director about this situation. The director agreed and decided to mention is on our monthly meetings. Some teachers took the advice and some teachers believe parents won't appreciate it their child's creative art work. On the end I believe I am one step closer to my goals on creating a appropriate learning environment for children.

Should I fight for what I believe is right?

Why were we raised to think different is bad?

It's funny how young infants, toddlers, and children are able to differentiate things because how other peers and adult react to certain actions. For example, the book Rethinking Early Childhood Education tells a story about Head Start merging with the early intervention program. A teacher from this program explains about her struggles in the beginning dealing with a child named Nyla who has cerebral palsy. She was a little awkward that she realized that it affected the children. The children wasn't comfortable with Nyla until the teacher became more involved. When the teacher took the initiative to include and support Nyla, children were able to do the same.

I am happy to see schools in Hawaii supporting early intervention. I'm a skills trainer at a local middle school and try to support other children to be very respective. I always try to make my clients see that different isn't bad, different is unique and special. If we're all the same then we would be boring and have not close relationships with each other.

Another topic I would like to acknowledge is integrating different languages. In Hawaii, we have a wide diversity of ethic backgrounds. The book Rethinking Early Childhood Education also explains how integrating indigenous languages may have challenges but it's for improvement of the community.

From my experience when I used to work at a preschool, we had children with different ethnic backgrounds. Our class would support different languages by teaching numbers and different foods. We also encourage parents or family members to visit the class to teach us about their ethnic background.

Overall, I hope these positive actions help our community and country to be in a positive environment. I want every generation to have to ambition to want to be confident with themselves and respect others. Being different is not bad, being different is a gift and we should love these qualities about us.

Trying to find the appropriate environment

As an early childhood educator you mainly want to provide a safe and appropriate environment for each individual. Creating activities that fit each individual's developmental level. The parents are the main people who know their child. Teachers need to be open with any suggestions parents give them. For example, the story I Just Want to Read Frog and Toad, by Melanie Quinn explains how a mother who was an experienced elementary teacher and college professor believes her son Eamonn is not getting the appropriate education for him.

Eamonn's mother believe the Houghton Mifflin Program does not follow the curriculum for a first and second grader. She mention couple stories that don't have correct grammar and appropriate wording choices. But when Eamonn went to second grade, the teacher had granted her request and now Eamonn enjoys reading and likes to writes his own stories. This little story explains how it's so important to be an open-minded teacher. How just following some suggestions can make a big difference in someone's life.

Another story called Strawberry Fields Forever by Cirila Ramirez explains how to help children with language and cultural barriers. A teacher was not lucky enough to have a teacher to help her with her education. Therefore, when she became a teacher she was able to relate to the children who struggle to speak and learn a different language and culture. One of the most important activities she did to help these specific children was to read books and stories that relate to their own culture/environment. After that she had noticed more progress in these students.

From reading these stories made me have more ambition and ideas one how to be a better teacher. I really agree with implementing many language and literacy activities will help the child improve in all developments. When children are able to achieve their goals then they will be more confident and challenge themselves to be better. In conclusion, we have to sometimes think out side of the box and be open with new things in order to achieve higher goals.