Observing Communication

Everywhere you look you can find some form of communication going on.  This week’s blog assignment was to make an observation of communication going on between children and adults.  I chose to observe the crossing guard at the local elementary school.  The school bell rings and here comes little kiddies from everywhere.  Each room would dismiss, waving goodbye to their teacher, those who were riding the bus would hurry off to their destination but those who walked home would stop until they were advised to cross the busy street.  I watched how the crossing guard would bid each to cross and then farewell as they would disappear on the other side of the street.  The crossing guard took his job very responsible and because of each child’s safety his job was a very serious one.  He spoke firmly to those who goofed off or played in line while waiting to cross.  I believe because some children tried to push the crossing guard to his very limit might have caused some uneasy feelings at that particular time but overall, the crossing was very supportive and made every attempt to bid every child farewell for the weekend. The crossing guard also controlled the traffic passing during this particular time.  Not only was the brief conversation between the crossing guard, the children, and the adults effective, it was also affirming.  There are those times when we have to let children know who is actually in charge and it could possibly be the change in the tone of our voice.  However, children are not robots and we must do whatever possible to let them know we are supportive of them.  Without the crossing guard taking a stand a child’s life might have been put in harm’s way.

Moving Forward

It requires that the participants reach a new level of understanding - a perspective that was not apparent before (Pelo, 2008). No one will ever know the struggles or challenges families face from day to day.  Even though the struggle may be similar each family is different and has their own approach of resolving or moving pass their issue.  One hope I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that as well trained early childhood educators I will be able to look beyond what is diverse and appreciate the uniqueness it family brings to my program.  My hope also includes finding ways to introduce knowledge and the appreciation of diversity and other cultures within my center.  Each new generation of early childhood teachers carves our new, exciting paths as teachers adapt to the changes taking place in their communities, countries, and world (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010).

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to make every form of diversity a learning moment.  If we can put down our own personal opinions about what makes individuals different and what continues to separate one from another we can make each diverse moment something we can learn from and introduce in our classroom or centers to others who may be struggling with this same situation.

 

A big “Thank you” to all of my colleagues (some new and some old) and Dr. Klein for your help along this educational journey.  This has been a bit of a struggle for me personally but I can say your comments have been words of encouragement and have helped me make it through these 8 weeks.  Many blessings to all of you as together we continue to change the world with our efforts one day at a time.

Never goodbye, just farewell!

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Pelo, A. (Ed.). (2008). Rethinking early childhood education. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools