Culture's Interwoven Beauty

Through the different definitions of culture I received from my mother, my husband, and a friend who is a different religion than myself, I found that each had an different aspect of culture to point out.  My mother brought up the importance that culture is something is part of our background.  My friend brought up the fact that it is what we believe, and my husband made the point that culture is the actions and routines we do in our day to day life. 

Each of my family and friends’ definitions provide important information for examples.  To elaborate, my mother’s definition brings up the point that we get our culture from family.  Next, my friend pointed out that our culture is shaped by our beliefs.  Finally, my husband pointed out surface aspects of our culture dealing with how we cook, clean, work, and dress. Several aspects that have been left out of the definition of culture were how people learn and socialize within their culture.

I find that the way each of these people’s definitions overlap with one another.  I have found that my friend’s definition about how a person’s belief’s shapes each person’s day to day routines.  For instance, a person might dress modestly because he or she believes that being modest is important to one’s religious beliefs.  However, one’s religious beliefs can be shaped by from the person’s cultural background, meaning that the parent’s belief’s religious or non-religious can shape a person’s views on how they see the world.  All aspects of culture are very interconnected and make us who we are.  Both the surface culture is effected by our deep culture and vice versa.   

·          

o     

"A Change in Culture"

Dear Dairy,

       My immediate family and I have taken three things on our unexpected journey to a new country where we will have to start a new life after the U.S.’s infrastructure has been complete destroyed by a surprise attack on Washington D.C.  The first thing we wanted to take was our family Bible, the next thing I wanted to take was a picture from my wedding with all my family in it, and finally I would have to take my family’s book of history.  I told authorities that I want my Bible because in the time of chaos and confusion it would bring me peace and comfort.  I would also use the family Bible to keep up with some history of the family because I believe it is important to know where I came from and the future generations came from.  I would want a picture of the people in my family from my family so I can remember a wonderful day with wonderful people.  Finally, the book on the family history written by my uncle would be very important because it has important information to provide the future generations.

            My feelings were crushed when they told me that I could only keep on personal item from.  I asked if I could place the picture of my family in the family Bible.  They told me I could, but I still had to give up the family history book and, I was crushed because there are stories and details that I need specifics on so I can tell future generations about our family history.  I have learned that one of the biggest insights that I have right now are it is so important to know where you come from so you can understand where you are going.  I think my faith will help me stay strong and grounded in the new country and knowing my family history will help keep the foundations of the old traditions.

·          

·         Until next time,

·         Kelly 

"Research: A Wider Perspective"

Insights that I have gained from our Building Research Competencies class that are research is an area that takes specific planning in order to gain the details that he or she needs for his or her data. Next, the way your research is gathered it takes flexibility because there might be days where from the findings of one day might lead you to take a different approach another way.   

My views about research has changed because I used to think that research done by people who lived in “ivory towers”, but I now realize that research can be done by anybody who has a concern or interest in their specific academic field.  For instance, as an early childhood educator I am seeing a great need in providing services to low-income families that need assistance on how to help provide a healthy academic, social/behavioral, and physical childhood.  In the area that I live there are many people who live in low-income situations that are not able to send his or her child to preschool.  I am interested to see the effects where an early childhood educator can provide techniques and resources to these parents.   

            When it comes to planning a research study it is best to have a variety of ways to collect data that can present information from many viewpoints, but, all draw towards to the same conclusion.  The way the research study should be conducted is where the participants can be informed clearly of what is expected of them and let it be known that the study is not going to harm anyone. Some of the challenges that can be encountered from research are that people do not always have the time to be on your schedule to conduct research so it is important that you realize when to expect the unexpected when it comes to scheduling and how results come out from your study.

            As an early childhood professional, I have realized that it is important to look at the purpose of research in a variety of ways.  For instance, as an educator, I can conduct research daily by finding the best way to present a standard from Common Core or I can use research help develop my interest for a particular topic or issue I see in the Early Childhood Field.