Reflection Blog Post #12

• Assess the impact of educational, political, and socioeconomic factors on children and families.

Educational factors impact the children and families because if the education the child is receiving isn't good, then that could be stressful for both the student and the family.  Political factors impact the family and children because the school board might say one thing about how the school or district is run.  Just like in Morongo Unified district, their political agenda affects our life especially if we don't agree with it.  For example, I want/my children just do better in person at school so this distance learning is really affecting all aspects of how we usually run the family.  A socioeconomic factor that affect families and children could be if the school doesn't have funding then the social events like trick or treat at the school or a family dance couldn't happen for the families and children.  I used those examples because I enjoyed those events at my boys' school last school year.

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the social issues, changes, and transitions that affect children, families, schools, and communities.

Some social issues, changes and transitions that affect children and families is moving to a new area where they have to acquainted with a new school and community.  I know all about this because being a military family, my children have been the new kid in school because we moved across country.  Also, they have seen friends move away that they might not see again or at least for a very long time.  That makes me sad.

• Describe effective strategies that empower families and encourage family involvement in children’s development.

A few strategies used that could empower and encourage families are do mental health check-ins.  Schools could check in with families and give them some encouraging from the staff to let them know that they still care about them.  Another strategy is they could provide resources for the families to get help especially if they are under financial strain.  I know that Morongo Unified School District provides food every Thursday for the children ages 0-18.  It's definitely helpful especially having my kids home all the time that just want to eat all the time.

• Demonstrate knowledge of community support services and agencies that serve families.

Like I just mentioned, there are food services that are offered to families.  It's helpful to families especially during this difficult time.  While we aren't in desperate need of assistance, it is appreciated especially when you have three growing boys at home like I do!

• Identify the impact of one’s own experiences and how they impact relationships with children and families.

As both a parent and a teacher, I've had plenty of experiences.  One of the experiences I've had is this year.  I was having a rough day with my boys because they weren't listening to me at all and I was getting upset.  I came across this thing on social media that said something about our kids are going through a lot because on a Friday in March we picked them up from school and never got to see some of their friends again.  That hit me right in the heart because it's so true.  We haven't had any of the normal school activities that not only would typically be social events for my boys but also for me.

Reflection Blog #11

Reflection #11:

• Reflect on challenges that can come from teachers taking on the role of the “expert”. How does that impact the child and the family? What are the advantages of supporting a child and families competence? 

Teachers can be "experts" in their field, much like any other person can be in their career of choice, however that doesn't mean they know 100% what's right for the child.  It can get really difficult when a teacher has one way of doing things and that's all they know how or will do.  Students learn in different ways and are also different in the way they communicate their needs.  This can impact the teacher/student and teacher/parent relationship greatly.  Parents will feel like the teacher isn't being understanding to their child so it can cause some animosity between them.  The students will feel like the teacher just doesn't like them for whatever reason because they aren't willing to change how they are teaching.  I can relate to this currently because my oldest is struggling with is teacher on Distance Learning.  We are hearing one thing from our son but something completely different from his teacher.  Sometimes it's a big misunderstanding, but other times we are only getting what they want to tell us.  Some advantages of supporting a child and families competence would be making sure their goals are clear, having open communication with them, and less chance of miscommunication.  We can join them in their aspirations for their child.

• Share an example of when a supervisor supported you and focused on your strengths - what impact did it have on your job performance? 

When a supervisor focuses on my strengths, it boosts my self-confidence and makes me feel appreciated.  Last year, I created a door covering at the beginning of the school year for the office door.  It was welcoming and I got lots of compliments on it. My boss knows that I can be super artistic and let me take the reins on that project.  It made me want to do a good job too because I felt appreciated and wanted at my job.  

• Or on the opposite end, share an example of when a supervisor focused on your negative attributes or “weaknesses” - what impact did in have on your job performance?

This isn't a job example but an example that I can relate to this.  When I was in High School, I was on the flag team in the marching band.  My coach would always yell at me for not doing things right in front of everyone which was 200 something people.  It was embarrassing and I would get defensive so then she would make a bigger scene.  Her criticism was less than helpful and made me feel like I wasn't even wanted on the team.  It affected my performance in a negative way.

Reflection Blog #10

• Which of the 5 protective factors were present in your childhood? Which of the 5 are present in your family today? How do you think they have helped you build resilience?

As I reflect on my childhood, all of the protective factors were present in my childhood.  I had a really good childhood that didn't have any major issues.  Whenever something would happen, my parents taught us to be resilient and seek counsel if we needed it.  We were connected in the community and at church so we had that support from many people in not only the peaks of our lives but also the valleys too.  My parents made our home a safe place for us where we could bring any issue to them.  They would provide emotional support for us.  My sisters and I didn't have to worry about not having a concrete support system like some of our peers.  My parents taught us how to regulate our emotions whenever we are feeling upset or angry.  Sure, there were times when we would lose our cool, but most of the time we could talk through why we are feeling upset or angry.

When I think about my family with my husband and sons, I think we have all of them covered.  Much like how I grew up, we have a stable home for our boys.  They know they can come to us with any issue they are having.  We want them to feel comfortable with us because if they didn't feel like they could talk to us then we would have some serious issues.  Sometimes, however, they don't because they might be scared of what we will say about whatever it is, but once they do, we reassure them that it's ok.  I think the strongest protective factor in our house is the one about knowledge of parenting and child development because I have taken so many classes now about it that I can understand what my children are feeling a lot better than my husband can.  Whenever any of my kids are upset, I can usually trace their feelings to a reason and justify that reasoning because I have learned a lot about child development whereas my husband doesn't really look at the reasoning.  Sometimes he just tells them to stop without wanting to know the reason of their tears and tantrums.

I think that both my childhood and my current family have helped me build resilience because no matter what happens in my life, good or bad, you have to get up and do better.  You have to learn hard lessons but you will be better for it at the end of it all.  Be open and honest with people you love and care for so you can work it all out.

Reflection Blog #9

 Reflection Blog #9

Then reflect on some of the strategies in the article for breaking down barriers to parent-teacher relationships. Write about 3 of the suggested strategies that you have used in your personal life with others to create better relationships with them.

~Two-way communication: Both in my professional life as a preschool teacher and as a parent too, I make it very clear that I was open and honest two-way communication.  For being a preschool teacher, I let my parents know that they can message me anytime throughout the afternoon or if something happens, I let them know in a very detailed but professional way.  As far as my personal life goes, I expect weekly if not daily communication with the teacher.  If I am not getting that, which has happened before, it makes me very upset because I want to know what is going on inside the classroom.  Some may say that I'm a little bit of a helicopter mom, but if there are issues, I would rather nip it in the bud before it's too late.

~Embracing Differences Among Families: In my career so far as a preschool teacher, I have had some differences between certain families and my own personal opinions on things.  I oblige to their requests and differences because they are a paying customer.  As a teacher, you have to remain professional even when you don't agree.  You never know what someone else's way of living could teach you.  Once I get past my own opinion, I learn about the family and the way they are.

~Opportunities for family members to be a part of the classroom: In my personal life, we always had room moms/parents growing up in elementary school.  It was important for parents to be involved and help with holiday parties, art class or coming as a speaker on career day. My mom and dad always worked but sometimes they would take the day or afternoon off to be a part of the class.  It was really special to me!  It's important to get parents and family members inside the classroom so that they have an inside look at how the class is run.  Also, they will have better relationships with the teacher because they are involved.

Reflection Blog Post #8

Reflection #8:

• Discuss the parent characteristics, child characteristics, contextual factors, and socio-cultural characteristics that you think may have influenced your parents parenting, or, if you are a parent, discuss which ones currently influence you and how you currently parent your children (pp. 84-87).

For me, the characteristics I inherited from my parents are definitely a mix of their personalities,  I can be a little scatter-brained like my mom sometimes but then sometimes I can be super motivated and dedicated like my dad.  Both of my parents are pretty outgoing and I am too, but it wasn't always that way.  Sometimes, if I feel insecure in a setting, I will be really shy and not talk.  I think when I am difficult to deal with, my mom especially will feel like she failed me.  I didn't know much about housework before I got married and my mom blames herself for that for not teaching me.  This happens when my husband complains about my lack of housekeeping skills.  I have noticed when my husband and I are struggling financially, our kids are very tuned into that.  Everyone in the house is just on edge and cranky all the time.  Our neighbors influence my parenting.

• Then share three ideas that you learned that will support you in working with families within your classroom setting.

I will keep my classroom positive even when children and parents can be difficult to deal with.  I can be a warm, welcoming place for my students and families.  I can set goals and use positive reinforcement when things go a little sideways then we can get back on track.

Reflection Blog #7 Chapter 5

Reflection #7:

• What counts as family to you? Are there people in your life you consider family who are not necessarily related to you in the traditional sense?

Family to me is anyone who knows all about me and never judges me.  They love me even despite my mistakes I've mad.  There are some really close friends that I consider family.  Sometimes close friends are there for you when your blood family isn't.  It's the family that you choose for yourself.  Being a military family, we never live close to home so wherever we go, we have to make our own family.  People we can depend on and not fake.

• What do you think are the most important functions or roles of the family and why do you think this?

I think the most important functions and roles of a family are people that stick together through good times and bad.  It sounds cheesy but you have to have those kind of relationships in life or it will be really depressing when things don't go so well.  Let's face it, bad things are bound to happen which is why you need family beside you to cheer you on and be a shoulder to cry on too.

• As we've learned from Bronfenbrenner, families are parts of communities and as such, families are influenced by the surrounding community. How do families affect communities if at all?

I think families can have an affect on the community.  For example, living on base with all the other families gives us a real sense of community.  Especially living out here in Twentynine Palms which can be very lonely.  Most of the families I have come across are so welcoming and loving which makes the community such a positive one.

Reflection Blog #6

Reflection #6:

• As a child, what toys did you play with? Were these toy selections at all influenced by your parents, the media, or friends? Why or why not?

I mostly played with barbies, dolls or spent time outside playing in the dirt outside.  I think they were influenced by my parents a little bit because they just had girls.  My older sister and I are close in age so we just shared toys and she had more dolls than I did.  When I lived in Arkansas, I would always be playing outside with my friend that lived down the street.

• What challenges might LGBT families face? What role might early childhood educators and their programs play in supporting these families?

I think that LGBT families will face the challenge of not fitting the mold of a traditional family.  What I mean by that is the chidden don't have both a mom and a dad.  They have two of one or the other.  Their classmates might ask questions or think it's strange to have two moms or two dads.  It can be rather confusing to the children who don't understand.  As an early childhood educator, a challenge that I have might be the way I word things.  For example, instead of saying "draw a picture of your mom and dad", I would have to say "draw a picture for me of what your family looks like."  Instead of having programs or days like "Muffins with Mom" or "Donuts with Dad", we could come up with something more creative like "Pie with the Parents" or something like that so it's all-inclusive and no one feels awkward about it.