Observing Communication

Blog Assignment: Observing Communication

The communication setting that I chose to observe was taken from the film, “Rubie Bridges.” This film dates back to the 1960’s. It was a time of racial intolerance and segregation. It was a time too when the United States was making an attempt to integrate black students into white schools. From watching this film, I wish to focus on not only the communication strategies/ styles utilized by Mrs. Henry, (Ruby’s teacher) but also her honesty and painstaking efforts to help Ruby to learn despite the odds that were against both of them.

Mrs. Henry’s first encounter with Ruby spoke volumes for her credibility as an effective child communicator. She addressed Ruby with great respect calling her by her full name. Taking Ruby by the hand and speaking to her kindly, gave Ruby the confidence to work not only on the first day that she and Mrs. Henry  worked together but also all the other days during the protests. Mrs. Henry’s display of genuine care and acceptance of Ruby’s situation are carefully seen in her attempts to provide a safe environment for Ruby to learn. Mrs. Henry also sought to help all the children whom she invited to come into her class to be with Ruby to understand each other as they engaged in the playing of the game, “Duck, Duck, [and] Goose.” (Derman-Sparks& Edwards, 2010), refer to this part of anti-bias education as “an integral part to foster the development of the whole child” (2010). I also realize that Mrs. Henry had put into effect what Lisa Kolbeck stated in the media segment. She made all the children including Ruby felt accepted, listened to and above all she “did not close the children off with [any] walls of assumptions,” despite what the parents or other staff members were thinking about in a prejudicial way ( Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).

I am also impressed with the language that Mrs. Henry used to help Ruby to understand what slavery meant. I believe that in her teacher to student talk with Ruby, Mrs. Henry opened up a whole new world of understanding to Ruby. She started giving Ruby the empowerment to know what was not right about what she was facing. I found this to be developmentally appropriate and (Dangel & Durden, 2010) support this idea when they outline that teacher language should help students not only to relate to the context of the situation but also help them to think about the situation in positive ways. I believe Ruby came away more empowered to do right by her oppressors than they ever could imagine.

I believe that I have learnt so much from observing the strategies utilized by Mrs. Henry. The most important of these strategies is effective language to explain a very difficult situation. This is a skill Mrs. Henry utilized even when the situation would have escalated negatively. I also liked that both Mrs. Henry and Ruby could share emotions together as they cried about the crisis that they both were facing.

Finally, I believe in terms of their(children's) “social, emotional and cognitive abilities” teachers must learn about not only the power of words but also about that which will help children “be able to navigate the larger worlds of school and their communities” (Derman-Sparks& Edwards,2010). This, I believe is the biggest lesson that is taught not only by language but by “sensitivity, “reflective listening” and total acceptance” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). This lesson was fully learnt when Mrs. Henry finally realized that eating with Ruby made a big difference in their lives.

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and

ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Rainer Dangei, J., & Durden, T. R. (2010). The nature of teacher talk during small group activities. YC: Young Children, 65(1), 74-81.

Ruby Bridges Full Movie retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09faLq3wT8c

Creating Affirming Environments

In the creation of an anti-bias learning environment, I realize that I will need to “saturate the classroom environment” with a very warm, inviting and caring ambiance that will make every child, family and staff member feel welcome. In “the learning materials, room decorations, selections of books, music, snacks and meals among other things, I will play close attention to create a sense of community and belonging for my children and their families (Derman-Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). Adriana Castillo’s warm and caring Family Child Care Home do offer the kind of insights needed on how to create opportunities to welcome families, create schedules, and to make the children comfortable. I was particularly interested in the nap room with a rocking chair, which was separated from the pre-play area and the other areas of learning. This idea provides a sense of individuality for all families to know how valuable they are to the center (Laureate Education, 2011).

In addition to the physical environment, I am motivated as I watch the video to implement a curriculum and plan activities that will focus on the needs of the children. Thus “the toys, materials, posters, pictures and art objects will all be arranged to influence what children learn” (Derman-Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). There will also be activities to honor diversity, to show respect for different family structure, people with disabilities and people engaging in different jobs in the community. I recognize that planning for this Center will always be a work in progress and as Adriana pointed out, one should never attempt to do it alone. It is important to draw on the resourcefulness of others and to be a “lifelong learner in creating a learning community that truly nurtures and supports all children” (Derman-Sparks, & Edwards, 2010; Laureate Education, 2011).

 References

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). "Welcome to an anti-bias learning community"

Baltimore, MD: Author

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).