Do you find yourself communicating differently with people
from different groups and cultures?
I do not feel that I communicate differently pre say with
people from different cultures; however, I do change how I communicate. I know
that it sounds like an oxymoron, but I will communicate the same things I may
just talk a bit slower if a person I am talking to does not speak English.
If yes, in what ways do you communicate differently?
Ok… so I guess I do communicate differently, because I do
not communicate the same way with children as I do with adults. I talk to
children on their level and in words that they understand. As I think more
about it, I talk more professionally to my supervisor than I do with my
friends.
The answer is that I communicate the same things with people
but obviously in different ways.
This assignment was fun and aggravating all at the same time. When I watched Pretty Little Liars. It was very dramatic with the volume down. You could see expressions and body language that expressed all the feelings under the sun. I was pretty spot on about the emotions that were being displayed such as
-anger
-happiness
-sadness
-frustration
- love
I was right about the emotions but not correct on the plot of the show.
I decided to do this with a show I like to watch.
Since I really enjoy watching this show with my daughters I found it hard to not cheat and hear what was going on; however, when props were used and through body language, and my background knowledge, I could figure out what was going on. What I figured out is I know the characters, therefore, I could read their body language and facial expressions. I just didn't know exactly what was going on so I was aggravated. Then I had an ah-ha moment. When we are not communicating successful people know we are trying to communicated something and they become aggravated with the disconnect. Our body language and facial expressions express the emotion that we have when expressing our thoughts. Isn't it interesting when you are at church or at a training the presenter that is more animated with facial and body language is more interesting to listen to than the one that just drowns on with not facial or body language. Its true...right?
I heard a quote once that communication is 85% body language and facial expressions, and 15% actual words. (something like that) In other words, our physical expressions will give us a way every time. For example, I say to my daughter please go clean your room, she says (sometimes) ok mommy,but her face frowns and her shoulders droop. I know she doesn't want to do it.
This is why I prefer having parent conferences in person rather than over the phone because their body language may be saying something other than what their body language is saying and I can address that at the time.
As I read this question, I realized that their has been numerous people of whom I have learned from. I have adopted some of their skills or techniques. I have also learned from people by knowing I did not want to communicate in their style. So I learned what not to do.
Here are the following things about communication I have learned from people I have worked with.
In a meeting:
* Have open body language
* Take notes in a meeting
* Active listening
* Summarize the meeting at the end
*Follow up and open the communication again if needed
In a personal relationship
* Active listening
* Cool off before talking
*Don't react/ respond
What I have learned not to do.
* be defensive
* use bully words
* Don't raise your voice
* Don't change the focus of the communication to you at inappropriate times!
These are few things I have learned from professional that have crossed my path.
Communicating is a difficult skill, but I can say that I learn something new every day.
This short video made me cry because it spoke to my heart and brought clarity beyond communication with others.
My personal thoughts were directed toward me and my family. My older daughters are always talking negatively and focus on the negative that may happen rather than the good. Communication is imperative in our world, but not just with others but with ourselves also. We have power to change how we feel about ourselves and our experiences if we communicate the good. Bringing strength with internal communication.
I had to post this on my blog because it spoke to me. I want it for future use.
One hope that I have when you think about working with children
and families from diverse backgrounds simply put is that I demonstrate to them
that I accept them and want to be educated in their differences. As I reflect on this statement, I am aware
that this statement is directed toward every single person I encounter.
Sometime these statements seem to be directed toward people with unique
backgrounds from your own; however, every person I encounter has a different
background. If I treasure, respect, and learn from every single person I
encounter even those with the same ethnicity as myself I reflect a person that
desires to get to know, support, accept, and understand every person or child as
an individual. Individuality is preached about when it comes to the academic
learning regularly. If we treat, every aspect of our relationships with the
people we work with the same attitude anti-bias curriculum would be a no
brainier.
Additionally, I am excited to continue to work with people from
diverse backgrounds and not ignore our differences but celebrate them and
become educated in various beliefs, attitudes and much more.
One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field
related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice.
My goal would be to advocate for equity, tolerance, and anti-bias
behaviors within my home, social, and work environment. The first step is to
educate the people around me by having training. I believe this is the order
in which a training sequence should go.
Understanding Your own Biases
Combating microaggression
The three E’s of Diversity: Educate, Experience, and Embrace
Advocating for Equity and Social Justice
I reflected and created number three I am so excited about it. I cannot wait to develop this training!
I have thoroughly enjoyed this class,
and have learned a great deal about and from all of my colleagues through
discussion and blog posts. I want to thank all of you for being transparent
with some of your experiences. This really brought some emotional connection to
the subject area. For me when my emotions are triggered it is something I
remember for a lifetime.
I have a hypothetical child
joining my school who has emigrated from Egypt. I know that I want the child
and her family to feel welcomed and comfortable; therefore, I will research her
country of origin. Egyptian people are very helpful and friendly, they love to
be helpful. I found the following very interesting about Egyptian peoples
attitude.
“Egyptian people are generally very helpful, so
tourists rarely have trouble finding assistance with directions or
recommendations. It is not unusual for an entire crowd of Egyptians to surround
you trying to answer a query. They stand very close when speaking, requiring
very little personal space. Egyptians are accustomed to refusing every
invitation the first time it was offered, so if your offer is genuine, repeat
it a second time. The same goes with invitations from Egyptian people. They
will offer something once out of politeness, but you know the offer is sincere
if it is repeated. If you accept an invitation into an Egyptian home, such as
for a meal, and you do not show, the hosts would be humiliated.”
1.The first step to be culturally
responsive is to know that I must invite parents more than once to a conference
or to ask questions. This is good to
know that sincerity is evident when request or invitation is repeated.
2.I do not want to just look on
the surface, and because website research is generalized, I would have the
family fill out a questionnaire. This would help me get information that goes beyond
the surface.
I found a few sample questionnaires here are the websites
3.I would learn how to greet in
their native tongue it is amazing, but there are numerous ways to greet
depending on the circumstance. I found this web site that has numerous phrases
and how to pronounce them. http://arabic.desert-sky.net/greetings.html
5.I would schedule of home visit
if it they were open to it. Going to a persons home can really assist in getting
to know a family better. You can also observe some of their culture. During
this visit I would ask the child to create an all about me chart to share with
her friends.
I would hope that this preparation
would help me and the family feel more comfortable. It would demonstrate
professionalism as well as care and concern about the family. These
preparations would allow me to be culturally responsive, digging beyond the
surface, and confidence to both me and the student. I would hope these actions would have a positive
effect on my relationship with my student.
To complete this assignment, ask yourself these questions:
What memory do you
have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or
oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias,
prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such
incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in
fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.
I was raised in a Christian home and I love and cherish my
faith. Throughout my childhood, I often clashed with my mother over our worldviews
and Christianity. I have always been an accepting and loving person. I had
friends of different faith, color, and sexual orientation. One of my friends
whose belief was Mormon gave me a Mormon Bible because I was curious about it.
I wondered how their book of Mormon would parallel the bible if at all. My
mother found this book and ripped it in half It angered me. I began singing a
song from church at the top of my lungs, “love in any language, straight from
the heart” I would scream that includes religion and then continue singing,
“pulls us all together never apart’. I was furious and could not believe my
mother was that intolerant. We got
through it, but I have to say I lost a little respect for her that day.
Although we did not really talk about religious discrimination,
this story really surfaced when the above question was asked.
In what way(s) did the
specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
I would not want anyone to tear my bible, it would show
disrespect for what I believe and would be an insult. Equity is not shown when
one person believes they are right and others are wrong in how they believe. Do
not get me wrong, I believe that my religion and belief system is the truth,
but my truth. I have decided to accept my religion. Every person has the right
to choose how he or she believes. No person’s beliefs are better than the next
in the equity of this world.
What feelings did this
incident bring up for you?
I was angry and alarmed at how my mother responded to
finding the book. I believe it was fear, fear that I would stray away from our
faith. However, I could stray without viewing the book of Mormon.
I was appalled at the fact that I was taught to love and not
judge. I felt that my mother’s reaction was pure hate and intolerant d.
What and/or who would
have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater
equity?
I spoke to my mother about the incident how I felt that her
actions are the actions that cause war around the world. She listened, but I do
not remember her response. In me, personally it created more drive to be accepting
and show tolerance. This will create drive for equity in how I go through life
in the hopes that I become an example to others and one day maybe we all will
start setting examples to change the world around us. I am not naive; I know it
will take time but every step counts!
Below is the song I sung at the top of my lungs when the above
events happened. I believe the song is talking about more than just language! We all have a heart, we just need to love each other.
