Week 8 Reflecting on Learning

As I think back to this past course, I think of all the growth I have made in removing my biases and understanding how I can provide an anti-bias learning environment for children. My most passionate hope is that I will be able to provide my children with new light into how to show respect and acceptance towards others. I hope to be a model to my students of what respect and acceptance of others for their differences looks like.  Every teacher leaves small imprints on a child's heart, and my most passionate hope is that I leave some imprints on their heart that let them feel they were a part of my class, and accepted, loved, and nurtured for who they are as in individual.  Just like the quote many of us have heard before, "a child may forget what you taught them, but they will never forget how you made them feel." If our teaching truly comes from the heart and we embrace those teachable moments, we will help build their positive sense of self identity.

To my wonderful colleagues, thank you all for yet another wonderful class filled with new insights. Many of us have been together since our journey began in course one! Thank you for all your support, helpful comments, and thoughts. I wish you the best in your final course in this degree!

Merry Christmas!
Jo Ann

Week 7 Blog Assignment- Impacts of Early Emotional Development

I selected the Central and Eastern Europe Region. As I contemplated a region that gained my interest, I thought of my friend who traveled to Turkey during our undergraduate classes. She always had so much to share so I was curious to learn more for myself.

One particular challenge I found is this region is that many children face violence including exclusion, deprivation of parental care, homelessness, and drug use. Children facing such challenges can struggle with feelings of positive self identity because of the lack of nurturing move from their parent. Children also need the support of strong parental involvement and care to learn how to handle emotions is a positive way.

Another challenge I found in this region is that children are often placed in institutional care due to family poverty, violence in the home, or disability. Despite strenuous efforts institutional care is often a first resort rather than a last resort. These situations led children to be more vulnerable to violence because of the separation from parents and society. This is harmful to their emotional development because they are also not gaining the opportunity to build strong relationships, handle problems in positive ways, and feel the love and nurture from a family.

As I reflect on the readings, I am saddened to see the trouble many of our children face across the world. As I think about my friend sharing all the wonderful stories of Turkey, I also have to remind myself that she was seeing the world from the outside in and only on the surface, just like a person coming to the United States might see. Each country faces many challenges that in turn can impact our children. One positive aspect is to see that these challenges are identified and ways to eliminate these challenges can now be implemented.  As a professional, seeing many of these challenges and stories displays yet another reason why we are not just educators in the academic area, but we must also focus highly on other areas including the emotional component. We are responsible for helping teach our children feel a sense of self worth and build their ability to problem solve in a positive way.I think about a quote I have hear so many times; "children will always remember how you made them feel." This is a constant reminder that we are important role models in each child's life.

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

• Share your reaction to the topic of the sexualization of early childhood.

  Reading about the sexualization of early childhood is a saddening topic. Children are already trying to make sense of the world around them. However, when the world is now filled with so many sexualized messages regrading how girls are suppose to look and act, along with how boys are to look and act, we can only imagine the struggle and pressure this brings them. I think about the impact these messages have on a young boy or girl's self esteem.

• Provide three or more examples, from your personal or professional experience, that further illustrate the exposure of young children to a highly sexualized environment.

My niece is in 5th grade and  slightly overweight. All of her friends talk about and wear the cute "barely there" clothing. My niece has began to feel that this is what is expected for a young girl to be "liked" or "pretty" Not only is society sending her the message that thin is in, she also receives the message that "barely there" clothing is in; both of which she is feels she does not meet.
Another example involves some students within a school I taught. Similar to one of the examples given by Levin and Kilbourne (2009) about two girls performing sexual acts in the restroom; several Kindergarten boys were in a bathroom stall also experimenting with activities they have been exposed to. Just as Levin and Kilbourne (2009) stated our children are being exposed to so many sexual messages that the can not understand. 
As a professional I am able to see how many of my children are not enjoying the simply childhood activities I once enjoyed like coloring, being read to, playing at recess on the swings. Instead, I find many of my girls talking about make-up, clothes, and fashion websites for what is popular. Many of my boys are focused on who is the toughest boy. One of the boys even stated that when he gets in fights its okay because it shows he is strong and that is what he is suppose to do. 

• Explain the implications this may have on children’s healthy development. Include ideas you might have,as an early childhood professional, to best respond to these concerns and to reduce the negative impact on children. 

Throughout our courses we have learned many components that impact the healthy development of children. It is clear that children are highly influenced by what they see and hear. The sexualization of early childhood plays just as much impact on our children's healthy development as any other activities they are exposed to. In the early childhood years, children being to understand how they are alike and different from those around them, as well as develop their own understanding and sense of self. These sexualized messages within society on top of the development currently taken place can have a negative impact on children as they try to meet and reach society's messages.

• Describe the ways in which your awareness of the sexualization of early childhood has been influenced and/or modified by studying the topic this week. 

I did not realize the severity of this topic within our society. While I have encountered some very mind boggling experiences that I never thought children would be involved in, I thought it was something rare. Levin & Kilbourne (2009) clearly show how this is a national problem in society. It has also helped me see that this is something that can not be solved with one person or one group, but will involve a complete change in society. Levin & Kilbourne (2009) also address that it is not something we should blame parents for. I can honestly say that I have mentally placed blame on parents for any behaviors I have observed that are due to sexualized messages, however after reading this article I see that we can not place the blame on parents nor can we expect parents to do it on their own without the support from society.




References

Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf