An explanation of your most passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional and for the children and families with whom I work or will work.

I am so lucky to be involved in a Non-profit project here in South Africa. We have so much poverty and previously disadvantaged people in our country. Together with my family and their passion for martial arts and my passion for education, we are raising funds in the hope of better opportunities and lives for these people. I am excited to be part of a change and to incorporate my knowledge and passion towards something I feel so strongly about. I want to make sure that all children have access to quality education and that family’s feel supported by their community. I feel I have a lot to share and I sincerely hope that I can make a difference in the lives of these people.

A brief note of thanks to my colleagues.

Thank you kindly to all my fellow students and to Dr Pickens. I have truly enjoyed this modules so much. This subject I have been suffering from a cervical hernia (neck injury) and have had struggled to get my assignments in on time – I thank you all for your patience and for all your shared knowledge.

Impacts on Early Emotional Development

Share with your colleagues the area of the world you chose and why:

I choose to reflect upon Malawi in Africa. Malawi is a small country that is affectionately known as “The warm heart of Africa”.  I was fortunate enough to spend my school holidays there in a small undeveloped, traditional village where my father was only white resident. This was more than 20 years ago and this is where my passion for education began. As a young high school student I would volunteer my time at a primary school and read English Literature to the local children under a large mango tree. These children had such a thirst for knowledge and where like little sponges. I remember it as if it were yesterday.

Describe in detail some of the challenges that children in this region of the world are confronting:

Children live in primitive conditions and often face daily challenges of getting to school which could entail an hour’s walk, without shoes at times. Schools are not well equipped and often are outside under trees or in small huts. To find educated teachers in these regions is a challenge as these locations are remote and do not always having funding. When I was teaching in Amsterdam, Holland we organised that all our stationary at the end of the year would be sent to schools like these in remote locations in Africa. The school I taught at was well off and they would not start the new school year with used stationery.  These contributions were very well received.

Another challenge is that the parents of the children do not always actively support their education and have their own daily challenges to contend with.

Explain how these experiences might have an effects on children’s emotional well-being and development:

As a young girl in Malawi I was unaware of the affects upon the children, even though I did understand the challenges. The people of Malawi are humble and happy people and almost content with their lives. Is this because they know no different or because they have a different outlook and different or no expectations. After reflecting upon the educational challenges that these children experience I would say that it would be harder for a young child in terms of accessing all the valuable educational resources. These children learn different things in life and although their education system may be minimal and old fashioned with little to no materials, they are keen to learn and are very dedicated. Compared to the pressure that is put upon children in developed cities these days, these children are free to be children with very little parental pressure.

Include a personal and professional reflection.  Explain the insights you gained and the influences they may have on you as a person and as an early childhood professional.

By seeing these children walk and sing to school every day and how keen they were to learn, made me realise what we take for granted. These village children are so happy to have access to a school and to learn and especially learn English. Their eagerness is contagious and attracted me to teaching the first day. Their attitudes were so different from children that I knew and the child that I was at school. I feel that all children have the right to equal and quality education. Living back in South Africa it saddens me when I see children on the street when I know that they should be in school learning and socialising.

My mission this year as part of an NPO (Non Profit Organization) is to get as many children enrolled into Early Childhood as possible.

 “Children growing up today are bombarded from a very early age with graphic messages about sex and sexiness in the media and popular culture” (Levin, Kilbourne, 2009, p. 2).

                     

I couldn’t agree more with the words of Levin and Kilbourne in this article. I have 3 little boys myself so do not often look at girls’ clothing. In South Africa we wear uniforms to schools to all the children are dressed appropriately and the same. I was in a children’s clothing store a while ago and walked through the girls department, I was horrified to see hot pants and crop tops. The clothes were very sexy and I feel that if it were my daughter I would not want her to attract that type of attention to herself. I had this discussion with my Dutch brother in law who sees it very differently. He feels that by forbidding it and seeing it that way we are over sexualizing it, that it is merely fashion and we cannot think that everyone has that type of mind and intentions. I must disagree. I feel that children should be children and there is no need for provocative behavior. Even the way the girls dance and the role models that our children idolize. When I was growing up things seemed so much more innocent. In Holland the songs are not censored and often we would drive in the car and have the latest hits play full of inappropriate language. Here in South Africa I am happy to say that television and radio is still censored.

When watching children's programs on television often the language is precocious and with a sexual undertone. When I question my friends with daughters they say that “all the kids dress that way and they don’t want them to feel left out”.

Magazine covers that all over the shelves are sexualized and mostly woman in little clothing or made to look sexy.

I feel that this type of exposure can alter the way children feel about themselves and how they should present themselves to the world. By encouraging the exposure to a sexualized culture we are teaching our children that this is the way you need to look, dress and act in order to be successful and to be accepted.

I have always been very aware of this and also concerned. When I taught in Indonesia at an International school I noticed that children would come to school with small and skimpy clothing on (due to the heat as well) but I did not agree with it, we were visitor in a Muslim country where this type of dressing for woman is forbidden and even though we may not be Indonesia we need to respect the laws and traditions and be aware that people will be fascinated and curious to see young children dressed like this.

As adults and educators we need to be good role models to children.

 Reference

Levine, D.E., & Kilbourne, J.  (2009).  [Introduction].  So sexy so soon: The new sexualization childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books.

Evaluating impacts on professional practice

Describe in detail the consequences you might expect for the children and families with whom you work while you experience specific "–ism(s)" in your own life. Include specific examples either those you have and/or are experiencing or ones you would anticipate.

This is a very real experience that many educators and caregivers can experience. Life is sadly full of prejudices and people that judge and criticise those that are different from what they know to be “normal”.  I can tell of a true story that happened over 20 years ago when I first taught at an International school in Holland. I was a young girl from while girl from South Africa and teaching in a very wealthy International school. There was a black family that came from South Africa and I taught their young daughter. I was very excited to have the familiarity and same nationality in common as it was not common at the school. From the moment I introduced myself I could tell there was a strain in the relationship and even thought I was friendly and open, and liked by all the parents, these parents held themselves back. I had no idea what the issue could be so I made a special effort to make time for them and made sure that I communicated openly and frequently with them. It became very clear to me that there was an underlying issue that they were not prepared to discuss with me. I asked my superior at school to meet with them and share with them what and if they had any issues with me.

It soon came out that they had issues with me as a white South African and the history of apartheid and their own feeling towards white South Africans. I was completely shocked, especially since so much time had passed since apartheid regime and that we were already in our 2 decade of democracy then. If they took the time to ask they would know that I was a huge fan of Mandela and that my own father was under how arrest for teaching black children in the townships in the days of apartheid. I noticed that their adversity towards me made the little girl very closed towards me and afraid to for a relationship or trust with me. It was a long and difficult struggle for me and being young I took it personally. I wanted to prove myself and I wanted them to know how my family were freedom fighters and how I was anything but racist. I wanted them to know that I fought for black equal rights and that I believed that all children were entitled to quality education.

In time I was able to convince them of my good and honest intentions and Afundi, their young daughter and I built up a very special and unique relationship based on trust and honestly. We learnt from one another and I also learnt what drove her parents to feel the way they did initially. It is important to walk in another man’s shoes or at least stop and try.