: Perspectives on Diversity and Culture

The three friend I talked to all defined culture in a different way. One friend said that it was that hers "was a product of her environment." This included the language that they have acquired, the way that they act and being classed and identified in a certain way. They said that diversity is different types of people and different races and cultures who have different ways of doing things, sometimes they are in groups and sometimes they are alone.

The aspects that were included were the belief that culture is a way of life that as been adapted and that people pick up different behavior and attitudes through their culture. One friend says that a "racist learned racism from the society that they grow up in and the group that they are surrounded by." Another say that a  person may change their language according to the people they are with, they may start cussing if they are around people that cuss a lot, they may start calling people names if they are surrounded by or so-called hanging with someone who is doing that. A person may change they way of dressing if they join a certain group of people. If they have friend that dress trashy they may start to dress trashy.

Their thinking and comments made me realized that a lot of what they saying was true and that I have never really thought of it like this before. My friends gave me a lot of ideas and food for thought and made me realize that we are all from a diverse and different culture.

My Family Culture

The three items I would take would be a family bible, a small painting of African dance, and a tape of a gospel program. These things each represent my culture in different ways. The Bible has information on the birth and deaths in my family beginning with my great great grandmother and ending with my kids and brothers and sisters kids. The painting was given to me as gift from my aunt and it shows African people dancing. The third thing the gospel tape represent the type of music and singing of my religion.
If I was told that I had to give up these items I would be very upset and devastated I have just lost my home and everything else that was dear to me and now I have to give up the two of the three things that represent my culture and my past and the past of my ancestors
From this discussion so far, I have discovered that diversity is a very important thing. We all have things that are a important part of our life and our culture is one of those things that shape our personality, and the way that we see that world as a whole. Every one should make an effort to learn as much about their past as possible because it will indeed shape their future in one way or the other.

My Supports

My support mentally, physically, emotionally and sometimes even financially were my mom, as I mentioned in one of my blog she had a stroke in July and is not able to support me in the way she used to. Before her stroke, my mom did everything I needed her to do and more. I have been a single mom since my two older kids were 3 years and 3 month old,respectively. They are now 18 and 15 years old. When I went through my divorce and to move back home and start over, she was there for me. She never judge me or asked me why I didn't stay in my marriage. She just open up her heart and home to me and my kids. I soon got a job working at nights, so she had to help me with the kids during the day as far as going to programs at school and attending report card nights, that I could not go to because of my job or so I could get some sleep during the day. She took them to doctor appointments and picked them up from school when they were sick. If they needed money for snack or a school event and I did not have it or did not have enough she would help me to pay it.  I now have two other kids and a home of my own, but one of them  play football, I now work different shifts and still cannot get to games and events, my mom will step right in and go to these rather it is hot or cold, she just want to support her grand kids.  I don't know what I would do without my mom. I was very upset when she had her stroke, but I thought out the fact that at least she is still alive and here for me to see everyday. Even though, it will be a long way back for her and she may never regain her strength fully, she is a strong woman and  I love her dearly and pray every day to God Thanking him for giving me such a wonderful person for my MAMA.

MY Connection to Play

                                                 

"Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity."

Kay Redfield Jamison

Contemporary American professor of psychiatry

"Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play."
Henri Matisse
French painter
1869–1954

 Items that were essential to me in my childhood playtime

When I was a child play was supported by all adults, our house used to be the place where most kids came to play in the afternoon. All the parents in our neighborhood knew if their child was not at home, they were at our house playing baseball or kickball or softball. Play should be included for all kids, it is the very special way that kids can have to outlet emotions without getting into trouble. They can let go of their angry and emotion by hitting a ball or riding a bike or kicking a ball. Adults should make it a point to make sure that their child is playing everyday and enjoying it. They should make sure that they get outside to do some type of physical activities which will help the child keep from becoming overweight and unhealthy. Play has always been important in my life. My other favorite activity was riding my tricycle and as I grew older my bike and I still do that today. I make sure that my kids have a bike and that they get out and ride it or play basketball or kickball at least  times a week. Any adults and school should try to include some kind of curriculum where kids can go out to play whenever possible, this will help everyone concern and be fun for all.


References
Play Quotes | The Strong
www.thestrong.org/about-play/play-quotes

RELATIONSHIP REFLECTION

Relationship are important to me because I feel like they define me as a person. If a didn't have any kind of relationship with anyone, I feel like I would be a sad and lonely person. I would not communicate with anyone and probably would be very bitter.

The relationship that is most important to me is the one I have with my children. They are ages, 18, 15, 9, and 8. They are the fabric of my life and I feel like they are a reflection of me as a person. I try to teach them right from wrong and hope that they follow my advice. My baby who you see on the picture with me is my only girl, I waited a long time to get her and had some difficulty when she was born, but as you can see she is very healthy. My oldest son is about to graduate high school and attend college and I hope be successful in whatever field he chooses. My two middle kids are very smart funny and love football, both are active in peewee and high school football, respectively.

My next positive relationships are with mom and sisters. I love my mother to death and she has always been there for me whenever I needed her. Unfortunately, she suffered a stroke on July 4th and is currently experiencing some issues on her road to recovery, but I know regardless of what problems she may have with her memory that she loves me. i have always been able to talk to her and go to her for anything. My tow sisters are wonderful, we talk everyday and support each other through thick and thin.

Some challenges that a person my encounter when forming relationships is trust issues. If you have been a bad relationship before like I have it is very hard to trust anyone person with your heart. You have to make sure that you learn from your mistake and grow with them. You can't let your past stop the road to your future or you will never be truly happy in life. By believing in yourself and trusting your instincts, you will be able to move forward past the hurt and pain and maybe find someone that is good for you.

I feel that I can be a great teacher regardless of past experiences because you have to look at each new experience differently and not let any decision you make be colored by the past. Every situation is different and you have to look at each for a fresh perspective.

The quote that I chose to post I believe is very accurate about children. I hope everyone enjoy reading it.

 “Ah! what would the world be to us
If the children were no more?
We should dread the desert behind us
Worse than the dark before
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Measuring a child intelligence

When measuring a child's intelligence, you must look at the whole child and what he does over all in the school environment, not just on one test. Some children are very nervous when taking test, having not had enough sleep the night before or even may be having problems at home. Many children  sometimes have to take the ACT or SAT test several times before getting the score they want, even though they may be an A student, but when it comes time to take these very important test they don't do well because they are worried that if they don't make the right score they may not get into the college they have been want to go to for some this may have been a dream their whole life and they feel if they don't do well on the test the school may not accept them.

"In 1905, France gave birth to what was fundamentally the first (successful) method of measuring intelligence. Following the need to establish specialist schools for children with learning difficulties, the French Government employed Alfred Binet to produce a system in which schools might distinguish between those who were intellectually challenged and those who were able. The method Alfred Binet delivered, along with the assistance of Theophile Simon, required children to complete  simple exam in which they would copy shapes or patterns, name objects and follow straightforward instructions.The scoring of the test produces a number called the child's mental age. The mental age reflects the level at which the child performed on the test -- if the child performed at the level of the average ten-year-old, for example, then the child would be assigned a mental age of ten, regardless of the child's chronological age (physical age). One compares the child's mental age to his or her chronological age. If the mental age is the same as the chronological age, then the child is average. If the mental age is higher than the chronological age, then the child is mentally "advanced" or gifted. If the mental age is lower than the chronological age, then the child is mentally "retarded," or behind his or her peers in intellectual development." (www.news,2013)


Measuring intelligence a brief history retrieved on June 16, 2013 from http://www.test-iq.com/news/measuring-intelligence--a-brief-history/