Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 18

Chapter 18 I have been out among you, eating and talking and walking and walking and walking, for hours without having to turn because of a wall in my way. The angel woke me this morning with a new set of clothes, strange to the feel but familiar to the sight (from television). Jeans, sweatshirt, and sneakers, as well as some socks and boxer shorts. â€Å"Put these on. I'm taking you out for a walk,† said Raziel. â€Å"As if I were a dog,† I said. â€Å"Exactly as if you were a dog.† The angel was also wearing modern American garb, and although he was still strikingly handsome, he looked so uncomfortable that the clothes might have been held to his body with flaming spikes. â€Å"Where are we going?† â€Å"I told you, out.† â€Å"Where did you get the clothes?† â€Å"I called down and Jesus brought them up. There is a clothing store in the hotel. Come now.† Raziel closed the door behind us and put the room key in his jeans pocket with the money. I wondered if he'd ever had pockets before. I wouldn't have thought to use them. I didn't say a word as we rode the elevator down to the lobby and made our way out the front doors. I didn't want to ruin it, to say something that would bring the angel to his senses. The noise in the street was glorious: the cars, the jackhammers, the insane people babbling to themselves. The light! The smells! I felt as if I must have been in shock when we first traveled here from Jerusalem. I didn't remember it being so vivid. I started to skip down the street and the angel caught me by the shoulder; his fingers dug into my muscles like talons. â€Å"You know that you can't get away, that if you run I can catch you and snap your legs so you will never run again. You know that if you should escape even for a few minutes, you cannot hide from me. You know that I can find you, as I once found everyone of your kind? You know these things?† â€Å"Yes, let go of me. Let's walk.† â€Å"I hate walking. Have you ever seen an eagle look at a pigeon? That's how I feel about you and your walking.† I should point out, I suppose, what Raziel was talking about when he said that he once found everyone of my kind. It seems that he did a stint, centuries ago, as the Angel of Death, but was relieved of his duties because he was not particularly good at them. He admits that he's a sucker for a hard-luck story (perhaps that explains his fascination with soap operas). Anyway, when you read in the Torah about Noah living to be nine hundred and Moses living to be a hundred and forty, well, guess who led the chorus line in the â€Å"Off This Mortal Coil† shuffle? That's where he got the black-winged aspect that I've talked about before. Even though they fired him, they let him keep the outfit. (Can you believe that Noah was able to postpone death for eight hundred years by telling the angel that he was behind in his paperwork? Would that Raziel could be that incompetent at his current task.) â€Å"Look, Raziel! Pizza!† I pointed to a sign. â€Å"Buy us pizza!† He took some money out of his pocket and handed it to me. â€Å"You do it. You can do it, right?† â€Å"Yes, we had commerce in my time,† I said sarcastically. â€Å"We didn't have pizza, but we had commerce.† â€Å"Good, can you use that machine?† He pointed to a box that held newspapers behind glass. â€Å"If it doesn't open with that little handle, then no.† The angel looked perturbed. â€Å"How is it that you can receive the gift of tongues and suddenly understand all languages, and there is no gift that can tell you how things work in this time? Tell me that.† â€Å"Look, maybe if you didn't hog the remote all the time I would learn how to use these things.† I meant that I could have learned more about the outside world from television, but Raziel thought I meant that I needed more practice pushing the channel buttons. â€Å"Knowing how to use the television isn't enough. You have to know how everything in this world works.† And with that the angel turned and stared through the window of the pizza place at the men tossing disks of dough into the air. â€Å"Why, Raziel? Why do I need to know about how this world works? If anything, you've tried to keep me from learning anything.† â€Å"Not anymore. Let's go eat pizza.† â€Å"Raziel?† He wouldn't explain any further, but for the rest of the day we wandered the city, spending money, talking to people, learning. In the late afternoon Raziel inquired of a bus driver as to where we might go to meet Spider-Man. I could have gone another two thousand years without seeing the kind of disappointment I saw on Raziel's face when the bus driver gave his answer. We returned here to the room where Raziel said, â€Å"I miss destroying cities full of humans.† â€Å"I know what you mean,† I said, even though it was my best friend who had caused that sort of thing to go out of fashion, and not a moment too soon. But the angel needed to hear it. There's a difference between bearing false witness and saving someone's feelings. Even Joshua knew that. â€Å"Joshua, you're scaring me,† I said, talking to the disembodied voice that floated before me in the temple. â€Å"Where are you?† â€Å"I am everywhere and nowhere,† Joshua's voice said. â€Å"How come your voice is in front of me then?† I didn't like this at all. Yes, my years with Joshua had jaded me in regard to supernatural experiences, but my meditation hadn't yet brought me to the place where I wouldn't react to my friend being invisible. â€Å"I suppose it is the nature of a voice that it must come from somewhere, but only so that it may be let go.† Gaspar had been sitting in the temple and at the sound of our voices he rose and came over to me. He didn't appear to be angry, but then, he never did. â€Å"Why?† Gaspar said to me, meaning, Why are you talking and disturbing everyone's meditation with your infernal noise, you barbarian? â€Å"Joshua has attained enlightenment,† I said. Gaspar said nothing, meaning, So? That's the idea, you unworthy spawn of a razor-burned yak. I could tell that's what he meant by the tone in his voice. â€Å"So he's invisible.† â€Å"Mu,† Joshua's voice said. Mu meaning nothing beyond nothingness in Chinese. In an act of distinctly uncontrolled spontaneity, Gaspar screamed like a little girl and jumped four feet straight in the air. Monks stopped chanting and looked up. â€Å"What was that?† â€Å"That's Joshua.† â€Å"I am free of self, free of ego,† Joshua said. There was a little squeak and then a nasty stench infused us. I looked at Gaspar and he shook his head. He looked at me and I shrugged. â€Å"Was that you?† Gaspar asked Joshua. â€Å"Me in the sense that I am part of all things, or me in the sense of I am the one who poofed the gefilte gas?† asked Josh. â€Å"The latter,† said Gaspar. â€Å"No,† said Josh. â€Å"You lie,† I said, as amazed at that as I was at the fact that I couldn't see my friend. â€Å"I should stop talking now. Having a voice separates me from all that is.† With that he was quiet, and Gaspar looked as if he were about to panic. â€Å"Don't go away, Joshua,† the abbot said. â€Å"Stay as you are if you must, but come to the tea chamber at dawn tomorrow.† Gaspar looked to me. â€Å"You come too.† â€Å"I have to train on the poles in the morning,† I said. â€Å"You are excused,† Gaspar said. â€Å"And if Joshua talks to you anymore tonight, try to persuade him to share our existence.† Then he hurried off in a very unenlightened way. That night I was falling asleep when I heard a squeak in the hall outside of my cell, then an incredibly foul odor jolted me awake. â€Å"Joshua?† I crawled out of my cell into the hall. There were narrow slots high in the walls through which moonlight could sift, but I saw nothing but faint blue light on the stone. â€Å"Joshua, is that you?† â€Å"How could you tell?† Joshua's disembodied voice said. â€Å"Well, honestly, you stink, Josh.† â€Å"The last time we went to the village for alms, a woman gave Number Fourteen and me a thousand-year-old egg. It didn't sit well.† â€Å"Can't imagine why. I don't think you're supposed to eat an egg after, oh, two hundred years or so.† â€Å"They bury them, leave them there, then dig them up.† â€Å"Is that why I can't see you?† â€Å"No, that's because of my meditation. I've let go of everything. I've achieved perfect freedom.† â€Å"You've been free ever since we left Galilee.† â€Å"It's not the same. That's what I came to tell you, that I can't free our people from the rule of Romans.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"Because that's not true freedom. Any freedom that can be given can be taken away. Moses didn't need to ask Pharaoh to release our people, our people didn't need to be released from the Babylonians, and they don't need to be released from the Romans. I can't give them freedom. Freedom is in their hearts, they merely have to find it.† â€Å"So you're saying you're not the Messiah?† â€Å"How can I be? How can a humble being presume to grant something that is not his to give?† â€Å"If not you, who, Josh? Angels and miracles, your ability to heal and comfort? Who else is chosen if not you?† â€Å"I don't know. I don't know anything. I wanted to say good-bye. I'll be with you, as part of all things, but you won't perceive me until you become enlightened. You can't imagine how this feels, Biff. You are everything, you love everything, you need nothing.† â€Å"Okay. You won't be needing your shoes then, right?† â€Å"Possessions stand between you and freedom.† â€Å"Sounded like a yes to me. Do me one favor though, okay?† â€Å"Of course.† â€Å"Listen to what Gaspar has to say to you tomorrow.† And give me time to think up an intelligent answer to someone who's invisible and crazy, I thought to myself. Joshua was innocent, but he wasn't stupid. I had to come up with something to save the Messiah so he could save the rest of us. â€Å"I'm going to the temple to sit. I'll see you in the morning.† â€Å"Not if I see you first.† â€Å"Funny,† said Josh. Gaspar looked especially old that morning when I met him in the tea room. His personal quarters consisted of a cell no bigger than my own, but it was located just off the tea room and had a door which he could close. It was cold in the morning in the monastery and I could see our breath as Gaspar boiled the water for tea. Soon I saw a third puff of breath coming from my side of the table, although there was no person there. â€Å"Good morning, Joshua,† Gaspar said. â€Å"Did you sleep, or are you free from that need?† â€Å"No, I don't need sleep anymore,† said Josh. â€Å"You'll excuse Twenty-one and I, as we still require nourishment.† Gaspar poured us some tea and fetched two rice balls from a shelf where he kept the tea. He held one out for me and I took it. â€Å"I don't have my bowl with me,† I said, worried that Gaspar would be angry with me. How was I to know? The monks always ate breakfast together. This was out of order. â€Å"Your hands are clean,† said Gaspar. Then he sipped his tea and sat peacefully for a while, not saying a word. Soon the room heated up from the charcoal brazier that Gaspar had used to heat the tea and I was no longer able to see Joshua's breath. Evidently he'd also overcome the gastric distress of the thousand-year-old egg. I began to get nervous, aware that Number Three would be waiting for Joshua and me in the courtyard to start our exercises. I was about to say something when Gaspar held up a finger to mark silence. â€Å"Joshua,† Gaspar said, â€Å"do you know what a bodhisattva is?† â€Å"No, master, I don't.† â€Å"Gautama Buddha was a bodhisattva. The twenty-seven patriarchs since Gautama Buddha were also bodhisattvas. Some say that I, myself, am a bodhisattva, but the claim is not mine.† â€Å"There are no Buddhas,† said Joshua. â€Å"Indeed,† said Gaspar, â€Å"but when one reaches the place of Buddhahood and realizes that there is no Buddha because everything is Buddha, when one reaches enlightenment, but makes a decision that he will not evolve to nirvana until all sentient beings have preceded him there, then he is a bodhisattva. A savior. A bodhisattva, by making this decision, grasps the only thing that can ever be grasped: compassion for the suffering of his fellow humans. Do you understand?† â€Å"I think so,† said Joshua. â€Å"But the decision to become a bodhisattva sounds like an act of ego, a denial of enlightenment.† â€Å"Indeed it is, Joshua. It is an act of self-love.† â€Å"Are you asking me to become a bodhisattva?† â€Å"If I were to say to you, love your neighbor as you love yourself, would I be telling you to be selfish?† There was silence for a moment, and as I looked at the place where Joshua's voice was originating, he gradually started to become visible again. â€Å"No,† said Joshua. â€Å"Why?† asked Gaspar. â€Å"Love thy neighbor as thou lovest thyself† – and here there was a long pause when I could imagine Joshua looking to the sky for an answer, as he so often did, then: â€Å"for he is thee, and thou art he, and everything that is ever worth loving is everything.† Joshua solidified before our eyes, fully dressed, looking no worse for the wear. Gaspar smiled and those extra years that he had been carrying on his face seemed to fade away. There was a peace in his aspect and for a moment he could have been as young as we were. â€Å"That is correct, Joshua. You are truly an enlightened being.† â€Å"I will be a bodhisattva to my people,† Joshua said. â€Å"Good, now go shave the yak,† said Gaspar. I dropped my rice ball. â€Å"What?† â€Å"And you, find Number Three and commence your training on the posts.† â€Å"Let me shave the yak,† I said. â€Å"I've done it before.† Joshua put his hand on my shoulder. â€Å"I'll be fine.† Gaspar said: â€Å"And on the next moon, after alms, you shall both go with the group into the mountains for a special meditation. Your training begins tonight. You shall receive no meals for two days and you must bring me your blankets before sundown. â€Å"But I've already been enlightened,† protested Josh. â€Å"Good. Shave the yak,† said the master. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised when Joshua showed up the next day at the communal dining room with a bale of yak hair and not a scratch on him. The other monks didn't seem surprised in the least. In fact, they hardly looked up from their rice and tea. (In my years at Gaspar's monastery, I found it was astoundingly difficult to surprise a Buddhist monk, especially one who had been trained in kung fu. So alert were they to the moment that one had to become nearly invisible and completely silent to sneak up on a monk, and even then simply jumping out and shouting â€Å"boo† wasn't enough to shake their chakras. To get a real reaction, you pretty much had to poleax one of them with a fighting staff, and if he heard the staff whistling through the air, there was a good chance he'd catch it, take it away from you, and pound you into damp pulp with it. So, no, they weren't surprised when Joshua delivered the fuzz harvest unscathed.) â€Å"How?† I asked, that being pretty much what I wanted to know. â€Å"I told her what I was doing,† said Joshua. â€Å"She stood perfectly still.† â€Å"You just told her what you were going to do?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"She wasn't afraid, so she didn't resist. All fear comes from trying to see the future, Biff. If you know what is coming, you aren't afraid.† â€Å"That's not true. I knew what was coming – namely that you were going to get stomped by the yak and that I'm not nearly as good at healing as you are – and I was afraid.† â€Å"Oh, then I'm wrong. Sorry. She must just not like you.† â€Å"That's more like it,† I said, vindicated. Joshua sat on the floor across from me. Like me, he wasn't permitted to eat anything, but we were allowed tea. â€Å"Hungry?† â€Å"Yes, you?† â€Å"Starving. How did you sleep last night, without your blanket, I mean?† â€Å"It was cold, but I used the training and I was able to sleep.† â€Å"I tried, but I shivered all night long. It's not even winter yet, Josh. When the snow falls we'll freeze to death without a blanket. I hate the cold.† â€Å"You have to be the cold,† said Joshua. â€Å"I liked you better before you got enlightened,† I said. Now Gaspar started to oversee our training personally. He was there every second as we leapt from post to post, and he drilled us mercilessly through the complex hand and foot movements we practiced as part of our kung fu regimen. (I had a funny feeling that I'd seen the movements before as he taught them to us, then I remembered Joy doing her complex dances in Balthasar's fortress. Had Gaspar taught the wizard, or vice versa?) As we sat in meditation, sometimes all through the night, he stood behind us with his bamboo rod and periodically struck us on the back of the head for no reason I could discern. â€Å"Why's he keep doing that? I didn't do anything,† I complained to Joshua over tea. â€Å"He's not hitting you to punish you, he's hitting you to keep you in the moment.† â€Å"Well, I'm in the moment now, and at the moment I'd like to beat the crap out of him.† â€Å"You don't mean that.† â€Å"Oh, what? I'm supposed to want to be the crap I beat out of him?† â€Å"Yes, Biff,† Joshua said somberly. â€Å"You must be the crap.† But he couldn't keep a straight face and he started to snicker as he sipped his tea, finally spraying the hot liquid out his nostrils and collapsing into a fit of laughter. All of the other monks, who evidently had been listening in, started giggling as well. A couple of them rolled around on the floor holding their sides. It's very difficult to stay angry when a room full of bald guys in orange robes start giggling. Buddhism. Gaspar made us wait two months before taking us on the special meditation pilgrimage, so it was well into winter before we made that monumental trek. Snow fell so deep on the mountainside that we literally had to tunnel our way out to the courtyard every morning for exercise. Before we were allowed to begin, Joshua and I had to shovel all of the snow out of the courtyard, which meant that some days it was well past noon before we were able to start drilling. Other days the wind whipped down out of the mountains so viciously that we couldn't see more than a few inches past our faces, and Gaspar would devise exercises that we could practice inside. Joshua and I were not given our blankets back, so I, for one, spent every night shivering myself to sleep. Although the high windows were shuttered and charcoal braziers were lit in the rooms that were occupied, there was never anything approaching physical comfort during the winter. To my relief, the other monks were not unaffected by the cold, and I noticed that the accepted posture for breakfast was to wrap your entire body around your steaming cup of tea, so not so much as a mote of precious heat might escape. Someone entering the dining hall, seeing us all balled up in our orange robes, might have thought he stumbled into a steaming patch of giant pumpkins. At least the others, including Joshua, seemed to find some relief from the chill during their meditations, having reached that state, I'm told, where they could, indeed, generate their own heat. I was still learning the discipline. Sometimes I considered climbing to the back of the temple where the cave became narrow and hund reds of fuzzy bats hibernated on the ceiling in a great seething mass of fur and sinew. The smell might have been horrid, but it would have been warm. When the day finally came for us to take the pilgrimage, I was no closer to generating my own heat than I had been at the start, so I was relieved when Gaspar led five of us to a cabinet and issued yak-wool leggings and boots to each of us. â€Å"Life is suffering,† said Gaspar as he handed Joshua his leggings, â€Å"but it is more expedient to go through it with one's legs intact.† We left just after dawn on a crystal clear morning after a night of brutal wind that had blown much of the snow off the base of the mountain. Gaspar led five of us down the mountain to the village. Sometimes we trod in the snow up to our waists, other times we hopped across the tops of exposed stones, suddenly making our training on the tops of the posts seem much more practical than I had ever thought possible. On the mountainside, a slip from one of the stones might have sent us plunging into a powder-filled ravine to suffocate under fifty feet of snow. The villagers received us with great celebration, coming out of their stone and sod houses to fill our bowls with rice and root vegetables, ringing small brass bells and blowing the yak horn in our honor before quickly retreating back to their fires and slamming their doors against the cold. It was festive, but it was brief. Gaspar led us to the home of the toothless old woman who Joshua and I had met so long ago and we all bedded down in the straw of her small barn amid her goats and a pair of yaks. (Her yaks were much smaller than the one we kept at the monastery, more the size of normal cattle. I found out later that ours was the progeny of the wild yaks that lived in the high plateaus, while hers were from stock that had been domesticated for a thousand years.) After the others had gone to sleep, I snuck into the old woman's house in search of some food. It was a small stone house with two rooms. The front one was dimly lit by a single window covered with a tanned and stretched animal hide that transmitted the light of the full moon as a dull yellow glow. I could only make out shapes, not actual objects, but I felt my way around the room until I laid my hand on what had to be a bag of turnips. I dug one of the knobby vegetables from the bag, brushed the dirt from the surface with my palm, then sunk in my teeth and crunched away a mouthful of crisp, earthy bliss. I had never even cared for turnips up to that time, but I had just decided that I was going to sit there until I had transferred the entire contents of that bag to my stomach, when I heard a noise in the back room. I stopped chewing and listened. Suddenly I could see someone standing in the doorway between the two rooms. I drew in my breath and held it. Then I heard the old woman's voice, speaking Chinese with her peculiar accent: â€Å"To take the life of a human or one like a human. To take a thing that is not given. To claim to have superhuman powers.† I was slow, but suddenly I realized that the old woman was reciting the rules for which a monk could be expelled from the monastery. As she came into the dim light from the window she said, â€Å"To have intercourse with anyone, even down to an animal.† And at that second, I realized that the toothless old woman was completely naked. A mouthful of chewed turnip rolled out of my mouth and down the front of my robe. The old woman, close now, reached out, I thought to catch the mess, but instead she caught what was under my robe. â€Å"Do you have superhuman powers?† the old woman said, pulling on my manhood, which, much to my amazement, nodded an answer. I need to say here that it had been over two years since we had left Balthasar's fortress, and another six months before that since the demon had come and killed all of the girls but Joy – thus curtailing my regular supply of sexual companions. I want to go on record that I had been steadfast in adhering to the rules of the monastery, allowing only those nocturnal emissions as were expelled during dreams (although I had gotten pretty good in directing my dreams in that direction, so all that mental discipline and meditation wasn't completely useless). So, that said, I was in a weakened state of resistance when the old woman, leathery and toothless as she might have been, compelled me by threat and intimidation to share with her what the Chinese call the Forbidden Monkey Dance. Five times. Imagine my chagrin when the man who would save the world found me in the morning with a twisted burl of Chinese crone-flesh orally affixed to my fleshy pagoda of expandable joy, even as I snored away in transcendent turnip-digesting oblivion. â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!† said Joshua, turning to the wall and throwing his robe over his head. â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!† I said, roused from my slumber by the disgusted exclamation of my friend. â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhhh!† said the old woman, I think. (Her speech was generously obstructed, if I do say so myself.) â€Å"Jeez, Biff,† Joshua stuttered. â€Å"You can't†¦I mean†¦Lust is†¦Jeez, Biff!† â€Å"What?† I said, like I didn't know what. â€Å"You've ruined sex for me for all time,† Joshua said. â€Å"Whenever I think of it, this picture will always come up in my mind.† â€Å"So,† I said, pushing the old woman away and shooing her into the back room. â€Å"So†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Joshua turned around and looked me in the eye, then grinned widely enough to threaten the integrity of his ears. â€Å"So thanks.† I stood and bowed. â€Å"I am here only to serve,† I said, grinning back. â€Å"Gaspar sent me to look for you. He's ready to leave.† â€Å"Okay, I'd better, you know, say good-bye.† I gestured toward the back room. Joshua shuddered. â€Å"No offense,† he said to the old woman, who was out of sight in the other room. â€Å"I was just surprised.† â€Å"Want a turnip?† I said, holding up one of the knobby treats. Joshua turned and started out the door. â€Å"Jeez, Biff,† he was saying as he left.

Diversity Considerations Essay

Introduction The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of culture on attitudes, values, perception, human behavior, and interpersonal relations. The discriminatory factors that promote societal, political, socioeconomic, and spiritual oppression of culturally diverse populations will also be illustrated in this paper. The paper would further examine the racial and cultural diversity within non-native English-speaking communities. Moreover, this paper will also analyze how current research may positively impact the delivery of public safety and enhance the evaluation of information and resources. Lastly the chosen articles used for this paper will be evaluated on the basis of their reliability and credibility. Influence of culture on attitudes, values, perception, human behavior, and interpersonal relations The behavior, values, perceptions, and attitudes of different human beings are greatly influenced by their experience as well as their genetic inheritance. The ways in which different people are developed are formed by the social circumstances and experiences within the context of their innate genetic potentials. The question remains that how hereditary potential and experience serve their roles in developing the behavior, values, perceptions, and attitudes of a human being. All human beings are born into specific cultural and social settings and ultimately develop several social connections. The characteristics of a person’s cultural settings greatly influence the way they learn to behave and think, by means of example, punishments, rewards, and instructions. In addition, the culturally induced behavioral patterns, like forms of humor, body language, and speech patterns, become so profoundly embedded in the mindset of human beings that they frequently operate without the people themselves being  completely aware regarding them. All the various cultures include a slightly different mesh of meanings and patterns; attitudes towards different cultures, expectations for behavior, customs and habits in arts, clothing, foods, and religions, social roles, systems of government and trade, ways of earning a living, and values and beliefs regarding each of these activities (Chan, et.al, 2012). What is perceived as acceptable human behavior is different in different religions and in different periods of time. All the cultural and social groups have typically accepted varieties of behavior for their members, with possibly some particular standards for subgroups, like children and adults, males and females, athletes and artists. Atypical behaviors might be considered either simply distasteful or amusing, or punishably illegal. A behavior considered as normal in one culture might be considered as deplorable in some other religion. For instance, assertively competitive behavior is perceived as arrogant in exceedingly coope rative cultures. On the other hand, a lack of interest in competition might be considered as being out of step in many subcultures of an exceedingly competitive society, for instance, the US. It is widely accepted that the expectations, understandings, customs, rules, roles, and norms of interactions in interpersonal relationships are mainly marked out and transmitted by culture and cultural factors. However, it has been found that the cultural influences greatly extend from the expression and interpretation of interpersonal relationships. It has further been found that culture not only influences the internal but external aspects of interpersonal relationships as well. For instance, there is significant evidence which indicates cultural variations in the demonstrations of emotions and feelings underlying interpersonal relationships (Crisp & Turner, 2011). Discriminatory factors that promote societal, political, socioeconomic, and spiritual domination of culturally diverse populations Race Racism may be defined as the unconscious or the conscious belief in the dominance of one race over some other race. This definition presumes the existence of various biological races, specifically the human genome project. Nevertheless, despite that race is evidently a social construct; racism is still widespread all across the globe. In spite of the fact that a  very small number of people now remain to believe in a superior race having an innate right to practice power over the ones that are considered as inferior; there are a lot of people who still exercise ethnocentrism or racism. They believe that some of their known cultures have some sort of superiority over some others and also that some customs, traditions, cultures, and histories are not appropriately compatible with theirs. Any sort of racism is related to power and the powerful people usually determine what is superior and discriminate against people who have less power. For this reason, racism may be considered as the practical translation of discrimination into action (Chan, et.al, 2012). Ethnicity Discrimination, as with cultural racism, on the basis of culture and ethnicity considers some minorities and cultures as intrinsically undesirable or inferior. Hostility or Anti-Semitism toward Jews as an ethnic or religious minority persists from the medieval times when the Jews were generally the only non-Christian minority that existed in Europe. Jews, expelled from their nations or murdered, stripped of property, penalized with high taxes, compelled for living in ghettos secluded from the Christians, and generally forbidden from practising majority of the professions and trades, strived for hundreds of years against prejudice and injustice of the Christian societies. Xenophobia As a response to the increasing diversity and globalization in the society, many individuals respond with xenophobia that refers to the aversion or fear to foreign countries or foreigners. The concept of foreign in majority of the cases depends on the ideas and images constructed socially, which reduces the globe to â€Å"us†, â€Å"them†, â€Å"good ones like me†, and â€Å"the normal†, the others who are distinctive: a disruption, a threat demonstrating a degradation of appropriate behavior and values. Despite that majority of the individuals consider xenophobia as generally acceptable and in contradiction with the human rights culture; it is not atypical. Discriminations on the basis of xenophobia, for instance acts of violence and verbal abuse, are evidently the violations of human rights (Correa, 2000). Gender Gender discrimination is quite pervasive in our society. Schools, childcare institutions, family, media, and other societal institutions transmit and preserve stereotypes regarding women and men. In the Western societies, conventional gender traits are frequently related to power – men and their specific activities are classified as influential, public oriented, important, brave, productive, strong, outgoing, and having increased value, social recognition, and monetary rewards. On the other hand, it is widely believed that the main traits of women include; family-oriented, caring, dependent, and passive. Religion The boom of Islamophobia is of specific concern these days and since ever, which refers to the discrimination, hatred and fear of Islam, and that is the most common religion in Western countries after Christianity. The antagonism toward Islam following the terrorist attacks on targets in England, Spain, and the US during the past years has unveiled deep rooted discriminations in majority of the Western countries. Amongst the most widespread public expressions of the discrimination is the rejection of being authorized to construct mosques, a scarcity of official recognition of Islam as a religion, restraints on girls and women on wearing the headscarf, and failure in supporting facilities for the religious communities or groups of Muslims (Crisp & Turner, 2011). Sexual orientation Homophobia refers to hatred for or aversion to homosexual people, lesbians or gays, or their cultural backgrounds, or typically to individuals having a different sexual orientation, counting in the transgendered and bisexual individuals. Despite that the legal reforms in a number of Western nations have greatly reinforced the human rights of lesbians and gays; there is a great variation in conditions. This ranges from the urban regions wherein homosexual individuals work and live openly, and also from the civil unions having rather less difficulty, to the rural regions and areas of Central and Eastern Europe wherein gays might follow harassment, discriminatory laws, and even aggression as a psychological disorder, a disease, or even an  ethical offense. The heterosexual norms are unconsciously or consciously applied by several others to lesbians and gays, faulting them for being unsuccessful in conforming to the types of behavior expected of normal individuals. Disability It is misconceived by a number of individuals that individuals having disabilities may not be productive members of the society. The major negative attitudes either include that the individuals having disabilities are sick or broken and need healing or fixing, or even that are good for nothing and require being cared of (Correa, 2000). Racial and cultural diversity within non-native English-speaking communities People belonging to different linguistic backgrounds face a number of issues in their daily lives. For the fact that culture and language are entwined, language minority individuals are anticipated to use and learn the novel cultural dispositions and the novel language in an effective and efficient manner. This novel culture and language is diverse from what they have learned at home. Despite that the United States is amongst the most diversified nations of the world, there are some languages which are widely employed like Spanish and English. English is the global language which a good majority if individuals employ for communicating in the United States and specifically for global interrelationships. Despite that a number of non native English speakers seek for English language classes in their nations and communities prior to migrating to any Anglophone nation for the purpose of making it convenient for them to intermingle and interact with others, there are many amongst them who yet strive when they face up the reality of interacting with an actual Anglophone. Such people are then discriminated and criticized in various walks of their life. For this reason, the society compels them for improving their communication skills to their earliest (Correa, 2000). Positive impact of current research on the delivery of public safety and evaluation of information and resources The current research contributes to the delivery of public health by enhancing the knowledge base regarding the  factors promoting cultural discrimination in our society. Previous studies related to similar constructs have been explored and analyzed in depth which helped in analyzing the impact of cultural diversity and discrimination on various groups and communities existing in the society. Furthermore, the study contributes towards increasing awareness amongst diversified cultural groups and minorities regarding the influence of culture on attitudes, values, perception, human behavior, and interpersonal relations. In addition, this research paved the way for cultural harmony in societies that are exceedingly culturally diverse. This research give power to the communities and individuals to meet the challenges allied to the economic, cultural, and social inequality and discrimination in the society. Reliability and credibility of the chosen research articles The reliability and validity of the study are highly important for increasing the credibility and accuracy of the data collected by the researcher. Reliability is referred to the consistency of the data which is achieved when the research instrument gives same results when used again. Moreover, validity is the credibility of the research instrument which checks if it measures what it is supposed to measure. In this study, the reliability of the research method was achieved through matching it with the aims of the study. The sources of data were disclosed in order to have reliable research findings. The validity of the research instrument was ensured by comparing previous researches which have used the same method. Attempt was made by the research to ascertain that the reliability errors are cut down so that in case disparities are noted in the data, they may be attributed to the intervention rather than sloppy inferences. Furthermore, this research meets the criteria of generalizability or the external validity of the research, which entails if the conclusions derived from the research may be transferred to different groups. Conclusion This paper analyzed and explored previous researches related to the topic of this research, that is: cultural diversity. The paper started with the demonstration of the way culture influences on attitudes, values, perception, human behavior, and interpersonal relations. This was followed  by the illustrations of the discriminatory factors that promote societal, political, socioeconomic, and spiritual domination of culturally diverse populations. The factors presented in the paper include; race, ethnicity, xenophobia, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. The last topic of the research content was the racial and cultural diversity existing within non-native English-speaking communities. In the concluding part of the paper, positive impact of current research has also been presented on the delivery of public safety and evaluation of information and resources. Lastly, reliability and credibility of the chosen research articles was presented. References Chan, K., Satterfield, T., & Goldstein, J. (2012). â€Å"Rethinking ecosystem services to better address and navigate cultural values†. Ecological Economics, Vol. 74, pp. 8-18. Correa, C. (2000), Beyond TRIPs, in D.A. Posey (ed.), â€Å"Cultural and Spiritual Values of Biodiversity†, London: Intermediate Technology Publications, pp. 533-534 Crisp, R. J., & Turner, R. N. (2011). â€Å"Cognitive adaptation to the experience of social and cultural diversity†. Psychological bulletin, Vol. 137(2), pp. 242.

Cultural and sporting events Essay

Cultural and sporting events both possess strengths in the area of promoting community within an environment. The atmosphere created by each is a key factor in the ability of these events to foster community spirit within a region. These activities also contribute to the building of communities in other areas, such as financial economic development. Yet, the ways in which these two types of events do this are vastly different. The exploration of these methods, the different atmospheres created, as well as their impact on the community will offer insight into the contribution that sporting and cultural events make to community and society as a whole. One of the major differences to be found between sporting and cultural events is in the dominant motive for the existence of each. Sporting events are generally driven by the profit motive, and as such are often spectator events. People come mainly to view the games and cheer for given teams. If however, such a team is doing badly on the regional or international scene, members of the community might lose interest in attending that particular event. The sense of community that arises as a result of sporting events is therefore vastly different from that which comes about as a result of a cultural event. During a sport event, supporters of two or more teams are usually present. This creates a strong divide between those who support one team and those who are in favour of its rival. The tension present between these teams, though usually kept under control, does have the potential to create hostility and thereby shatter the community spirit. However, where there is healthy rivalry present, community spirit can be promoted and solidified at the end of the event when respect for the victorious team is freely given by its rival and their supporters. Also, in such cases where an underdog team triumphs, newly found appreciation for that team has the potential of strengthening the ties between the different communities involved—locally, regionally and internationally. In contrast, cultural events are usually traditional and annual events with little tension derived from competition. They are not necessarily driven by the profit motive, and supporters are usually quite loyal in their attendance. Some examples of such cultural events are Independence Day functions (in some countries), coronation services, arts and theatre events such as ballets, symphonies, and oratorios. The community of attendants to such events usually exists in a much more relaxed state, and because of the common traditions that are usually the progenitors of such an event, the attendants at a cultural event are usually more inclined to agree, share, and talk about the occurrences at such events. They share and enjoy a common enjoyment as they experience similar emotions in conjunction with the events. The ability of cultural events to promote community can further be seen in such artistic and cultural projects that promote the lifestyle and origins of certain cultures that might have been marginalised in society. Aboriginal culture shows and other minority showcases have the potential of making visible certain aspects of ethnic/minority culture that might have been ignored in former times (Fraser, 2006). Members of the majority have the opportunity of showing interest in these cultural aspects of the lives of marginalised members of society, and this has the advantage of creating and solidifying relationships among different members of a diverse society. Sporting events also have the capacity to do this. Allowing diversity to infiltrate sporting events promotes social inclusion and a stronger sense of community. Because sporting events are primarily viewed events (as opposed to participatory events) the persons who form the teams have the opportunity to set an example of inclusion and tolerance and thereby promote such community-building practices in the wider regions to which spectators belong. In the final analysis, it might appear that the cultural activities and events do a bit more than sporting events to promote community, as they offer very little occasion for rivalry. However, the ability of sporting events to promote community through inclusion and the potential for increased respect should not be overlooked. Reference Fraser, J. (2006). â€Å"Indigenous artistes at the Woodford Folk. † Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Online. Retrieved on January 21, 2007 from http://www. abc. net. au/message/blackarts/culture/s1658207. htm

The Sui dynasty, The Tang Dynasty, The Song Dynasty Essay

The Sui dynasty, The Tang Dynasty, The Song Dynasty - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that China’s political landscape in the ancient period was characterized by dynasties which were often ruled by members of the same family. These dynasties would only relinquish power through subversion. The following is an analysis of the political, social and economic changes that occurred during the Sui, Tang and Song dynasty. The Sui dynasty lasted for a relatively short period – around 580 – 618 AD. Its existence, however, marked significant changes in the political structure, social and economic life of the Chinese. One of the notable changes in the political structure was the unification of northern and southern China. Emperor Wen, the founder of Sui dynasty is credited with this achievement. Sui dynasty’s main economic accomplishment was the extension of the Grand Canal. The canal facilitated transport of agricultural produce such as grain to the city. Socially, the Sui dynasty is accredited with bridging the gap between the rich and the poor through the Equal-field system. In this system, the land was owned by the government which in turn would distribute it to all individuals, including slaves. Tang dynasty can be traced to the period 618-907 AD. It was founded following the collapse of the Sui dynasty. Tang dynasty was characterized by prosperity. This was due to the enlightened political system put in place. A strict legal system guided by a legal code strengthened the administrative arm of Tang dynasty. A total of 10 political districts were established which enabled easier administration.

Laptop issuance to sales persons and return on investment Research Paper

Laptop issuance to sales persons and return on investment - Research Paper Example The study conducted by Atrostic and Nguyen (2006) categorically declared that â€Å"the prevalence of informational technology (IT) means that just investing in IT no longer confers a competitive advantage† (p. 1).After all, business use of computers dates back to about 50 years ago. Could it really be possible that man has outgrown the need for the good old computer? However, what Atrostic and Nguyen (2006) actually meant was that the manner in which businesses use IT does matter. Hence, competitive advantage may be achieved depending on how businesses harness the power the computer. Research Question and Justification Hoskins (2011) maintained that the â€Å"laptop is tailor-made for business† (para. 1). Coincidentally, I overhead two neatly attired gentleman seated on the next table talking about their accomplishments for the day. The two appear to be sales people and were using information from their high-end laptops every now and then, either to support their asser tion or to clarify their point. It is common knowledge that most companies issue laptops to their salespeople, presumably to facilitate presentation to prospective clients. But would the issuance of laptops to employees in charge of sales or marketing produce a corresponding return on investment? This paper was conceived to gather research-based evidence of the aforementioned quandary. Specifically, the study would address two research problems: (1) What are the advantages of using laptops for people engaged in sales? and (2) Is there a relationship between use of laptops by salespeople and increase in accumulated sales? The study will also test the null hypothesis that â€Å"there is no significant relationship between use of laptops by salespeople and an increase in their accumulated sales† based on a non-directional or two-tailed analysis and a 0.05 level of significance (0.05). The justification for this study rests on the premise that although empirical studies have alre ady demonstrated the link between productivity and use of computers and IT, results have been generalized for the manufacturing industry, not strictly on the sales aspect. If a direct and significant relationship is confirmed between use of laptops as an aid to sales talk and presentations and corresponding increase in accumulated sales, it is highly possible that issuance of laptops to salespeople by the companies they represent does, indeed, produce a return on investment. Hence, this paper will serve as an exploratory study to pave the way for further investigation of the association between issuance of laptops to salespeople and return on investment. This study adopted a descriptive – exploratory methodology using a researcher-constructed survey questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. The research instrument consists of three parts (respondent profile, advantages of using laptop for salespeople, and relationship between use of laptop increase in accumulat ed sales) and 10 items. Respondents of the study were salespeople selected using purposive sampling. It is a non-probability sampling technique wherein the sample is chosen on the basis of the researchers’ judgment about some appropriate characteristics of the sample, and is alternatively called judgment sampling (Zikmund & Babin, 2010). A small sample of 25 respondents served as resources for the study. Profile data were presented as frequency and percentage distributions in the form of a pie chart. Advantages of using laptop for sales people were shown as horizontal graphs. Methodology for examining the relationship between use of laptops and increase in accumulated sales is discussed in the results section of this paper. Review of Related Literature and Studies Jenkins (1999) outlined several advantages of using a laptop computer in sales in terms of: (1) professional image; (2) resource and time management; (3) information dissemination; and (4) customer interaction. In a customers’ perspective, the use of technology such as laptops

Federal financial aid in relation to rising tuition costs Essay

Federal financial aid in relation to rising tuition costs - Essay Example It never seems that governmental intervention is desired in most businesses and likely colleges and universities are no different. Those who might argue against the partial cost reimbursement program might suggest that this is a form of price control (Hauptman, 1998) which would give governmental regulators considerable authority over university and college business. However, the evidence does not suggest that partial reimbursement of tuition costs is price control rather it is designed to lessen the burdens on tuition-paying students, especially those with lower-level income brackets. Additional arguments related to price control might suggest that this would be a tactic to create a form of competitiveness between rival universities and colleges, at a time when consumer incomes are down, to give some universities with a higher financial portfolio an edge over less-affluent or cash-rich universities. From a microeconomic perspective, the activities of the college or university related to reimbursement programs might ensure a higher volume of interested students than those universities which do not provide partial cost reimbursements. This would not be a value to the student if they were denied partial reimbursements to assist with day-to-day needs such as clothing and in-house meals. Partial cost reimbursement would also provide students with the necessary tools to succeed. Morris and Maisto (2005) offer a unique theory of human needs proposed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in which the needs of students start out at the most basic, such as food and water (physiological) and progress through a series of stages until they reach self-actualization, or the pinnacle of their human capacity. Under this model, it is theorized that no individual can progress through self-development until basic fundamental needs are met. The partial cost reimbursement program, as modeled by Maslow’s theory, would provide students with a wide variety of physiological

The Power of Real Time Social Media Marketing Essay

The Power of Real Time Social Media Marketing - Essay Example The researcher states that for Textile Company, several issues can be patented or trademarked to ensure that the new development brings positive results to the company. The success of the new development is on the ability to own it and make it the property of the company. Despite the hardships involved in the process of patenting the product, it is necessary for the textile company to look for the patent before the start of product sales and manufacture. The patent law has several terms that must be understood in order to apply and obtain patent easily. The term invention in the patent is too loosely defined as a wide range of objects. Patents in legal terms may apply to things that do not exist. The legal language is vague in such instances, and the situation may be complex if a legal proceeding occurs when no patent has been obtained. Despite the beauty of the innovation, it is vital to illustrate the success of patents because some innovation may appear to be public property if no t patented. The failure to patent an innovation may make such public recognized innovations a waste of money and resources especially if not patented on time. The roll out an innovation must be done after the receiving of the patent. For example, the law of relativity developed by Albert Einstein has never been patented even after influencing the physics world massively. Such failures could be fatal for a business because it will affect the earnings of the business. Business needs to patent before starting a massive production of the product such as the success of the coca cola company patents. Patents in the UK fashion industry must be taken because the imitation and copying of product in this sector is extremely fast. If not patented, the company may lose all the research money and the product money. The power to restrict such invasion is based on the patenting of any product developed by the textile industry. The success of the company will depend on the ability to evaluate the d evelopments and innovation and know their ability to obtain patent. Despite the evaluation, the company must apply for patent regardless of the situation of the innovation because it will facilitate understanding of the conditions of patenting. Patenting will help put a check on the competitors by guarding the innovation. However, when the application for patent is the knowledge and idea may be accessible to other members of the business community. The revelation of the secrets will affect the future of the product id the patent was obtained. The success of patenting of the new textile innovation will depend on the level of technology, and the uniqueness of the new product thus facilitates the development of product specification understanding. Action plan Intellectual rights that the company needs to protect before partnerships The development of new products and design requires patenting and protection to ensure that value can be obtained from new innovation. The failure to patent or protects it may not only lead to loss but also discourage innovation. The small textile company is in ransom because of the minimal capital outlay. Patenting and intellectual property protection is expensive to undertake especially in where the two applications must be made.

Perception and Cognition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Perception and Cognition - Essay Example The things we do consciously are influenced by the unconscious mind - our actions are the effects of stimuli which we are unaware of. There have been various interpretations in this regard. According to cognitive psychology, unconscious information processing likened to subliminal message processing (idea opposed by authors because they thought the definition was unnatural and restrictive). (09No) In Evolution: evolutionary changes occurred as a result of unconscious processes - there was no conscious thought that went into evolution and adaptation; For example, things like culture and early learning - we don't think about our culture - we are surrounded by it from an early age and information gets stored in our unconscious mind without our being aware of it - it is inherent. Same with Early Learning - we learn lots of things at a very young age, which are inherent traits of human kind, which we again, don't consciously think about (for instance, kids, especially infants, learn behavior by "passive imitation" of parents or friends; as infants we unconsciously learn by experience - as we grow up, those learned behaviors/actions/values stay with us, and are stored in the unconscious mind - later in life, we don't consciously think about these things - we just know them to be true) All these characteristics have been oft associate... There is a distinct line between conscious and unconscious goal pursuit. Keeping in perspective the recent evolutionary arrival of modes of though and behavior, it is probably that the conscious goal is directly or indirectly related to unconscious motivational structures. We are predisposed, conditioned (genetically predisposed - this is an effect of evolution) as a human race to prefer certain "aspects of our environment over others" -these are perhaps linked to the behaviors we learn as infants. For instance in various Muslim families, it has been inculcated in the minds of their females that physical intimacy with men is a no and nor are revealing clothes allowed. They are asked to adapt and mould themselves in this peculiar lifestyle where they shun themselves from the society in general and set their goal in such a way where nurturing their kids and serving their husbands in future becomes central to their survival. This is result of environmental and social pressure most of which becomes innate in the female inhabitant in such families. (Iceberg Metaphor and Unconscious Mind) Another theory suggests that impulse to act upon a stimuli is an unconscious behavior - the impulse is produced unconsciously, and then the conscious mind takes over; plethora of impulses that are driven by behavioral and cultural norms and or our values/traditions. Some people react at the sight of lizards or their mention without even without seeing the poor animal. This is because a certain kind of unconscious fear exists in the back of their mind about it. Their reaction for the same is involuntary. It rests at the back of their mind subconsciously which tends to act as prime motivator for the same. We are unconsciously inclined towards certain things over others (certain

ETHICAL DILEMMA IN THE CLINICAL RESEARCH Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ETHICAL DILEMMA IN THE CLINICAL RESEARCH - Essay Example The first is on the issue of disclosing all the information to the participants including all the risks of the trial or to just disclose the most important of the information and let the rest of the information be disclosed after the trial as a debrief. The dilemma comes in where the full disclosure of all the information to the participants may lead to some of them not giving informed consent and opting out in which case it will take longer to find others without any guarantee that they will also stay throughout the whole exercise. The lack of disclosure will lead to signing the consent and the trial continuing as scheduled (Gad, 2009). The other ethical dilemma comes in in the issue of publication of the findings of the clinical trial. The clinical trial may be marked with several problems which may render the drug unfriendly to most people. If this information is released to the public through the findings, the drug may either be banned from manufacture and production or harm many people. On the other hand, the lack of issuing of publication will mean that no one will know of the drug and hence the whole process of research and trial will have just been a waste of time and money and hence a loss which many pharmaceutical companies cannot handle (Verdu-Pacual and Ponce, 2001). They therefore have to make the hard choice of risking the lives of people and a future lawsuit by publishing or cutting their losses and going back to the drawing board. Lastly is the issue of patent rights versus the rights of patients. A patent lasts for 4 years at which point it is given to another company or group. Every company wants to maximize these 4 years in order to have covered the expenses of production and made enough profit to sustain them (Lo, 2012). The dilemma comes in where in order to be able to do this within this short time, they have to overcharge the consumers for the drugs which is considered totally unethical and even inhumane and especially if the

What is a petition for writ of habeus corpus Essay

What is a petition for writ of habeus corpus - Essay Example The Supreme Court also declared that Georgia’s death penalty was not constitutional. The huge publicity to the case helped eminent lawyers like Amsterdam to fight the case of Furman, who was poor and most importantly, black. Amsterdam was able to show that the judgment was biased and heavily discriminated because the defendant was not only poor but also black. He argued that the jury did not have any guidance regarding the death sentence and the verdict was random mainly based on the discriminatory practices of the individuals. Amsterdam said that jury often just listens to the evidence of guilt and decides if the defendant deserves to die. The same cases often have the same conviction. Most of the sentences of death penalty are of those who are black, poor, mentally ill or uneducated. The wealthy, white or mentally healthy people rarely get death sentence (Steins, 1995). Judge, Douglas had also declared that death penalty had targeted the unpopular segment of society and therefore was unconstitutional under Eighth

Clone Towns Essay Example for Free

Clone Towns Essay There are two main types of town in the UK, clone towns and home towns. A clone town is a global term for a town where the high street or other major shopping areas are significantly dominated by chain stores, while home towns consist of many local shops and businesses. We went on a trip to our local town Dorking, and conducted an investigation to see if it was a clone town or not Dorking is situated in Surrey, at the foot of the North Downs and next to Box Hill. We followed the Clone Town British Survey, created by the NEF to find out if it was a clone town. We walked up and down each side of the high street noting what type of shops there were, and whether they were multinational, national or local businesses. Using the NEF scoring method we then calculated its clone town score. 1. For each type of shop counted on your high street, give 5 points. 2. For each independently owned shop counted on your high street, give 50 points. 3. For each chain store counted on your high-street, give 5 points. 4. Add up the scores from steps 1–3 and divide the total sum by the number of shops counted (i.e. 50). http://www.rgs.org If the score was below 25, it is a clone town, between 25-35 a border town, and above 35, a home town. When we tested Dorking, it received a score of 23.5 and just fitted in the clone town bracket. The NEF estimated that 41% of towns and 48% of London villages could be considered clone towns. The increase in clone towns can cause many negative effects. Instead of going back into the local economy, money goes to TNC’s which causes local businesses and jobs go into decline. Local shops are also more likely to use local suppliers for their produce instead of getting abroad.

Country Living Versus City Essay Example for Free

Country Living Versus City Essay The traffic is bad, work is hectic, and people do not seem to have enough time to talk to each other about little things (Is Country Living Healthier Than City Living, 1997). Yet, living in the city continues to have its own charms. One of the main reasons why a huge number of people choose to live in cities as compared to the country side is that the city offers more and better opportunities to earn money. Moreover, cities are known to have finer and a greater variety of schools as well as health care facilities. No wonder, cities can become overcrowded. There is just too much to do in cities, and plenty of people wanting the kind of stimulation offered in these places, as compared to the country, where life can be dull and boring, and there is usually only one cinema house to cater to the interests of all. The population of the country is also not as big. Hence, only those who do not mind seeing the same people over and over again may want to choose the country over the city. Regardless of the range of our interests, country life offers fewer opportunities to stimulate the intellect. There may be few if any bookstores, little or no diversity in terms of the population, in addition to very few recreational spots in the country. On the contrary, people living in the city are exposed to countless people from different corners of the nation and the world at large; these people also have easy access to many bookstores, recreational spots, as well as airports and other modern conveniences. Hence, city living as compared to country living may broaden the mind as well as our interests in life. People in the city may also tend to be smarter than people from the country seeing that city living offers greater opportunities to stimulate the intellect. COUNTRY LIVING VERSUS CITY LIVING Page # 2 Individualists probably do not miss the sense of neighborliness and the sense of community that people in the country are typically acquainted with. For individualists, it is most important to develop themselves, and this development would not feel complete without the amenities that only the city offers (Is Country). Even so, the city is known to have more crime than the country. People are coming to the city from all around the nation and the globe, after all. When these people do not find jobs in the city, they may very well turn to crime. Nevertheless, cities remain overcrowded because law enforcement is recognized as a genuine way to deal with the threat of crime. People do not give up on city living even if country living might be safer. One advantage of country living is, of course, the extra space that people see around themselves. When Professor Robert Cummins visited his hometown in the country, he remarked: â€Å"Id forgotten how much extra space youve got †¦ and on the main street theres hardly any traffic around so basically Ive got most of the shops to myself. † People living in the city tend to love the extra space that the country offers, especially for their vacations. However, they can easily become agitated in the country after a while, missing the stimulation of the city. Moreover, people from the city do not feel that they miss out on the so-called â€Å"community spirit† of the country (Is Country). This is because the city dwellers have developed their own community spirit in the city. They may give to charities, for example, or visit orphan homes. They may join different societies and clubs. After all, there is no dearth of human beings in the city. For anybody who wants to develop a sense of belongingness in the city, it is possible to do so any day. COUNTRY LIVING VERSUS CITY LIVING One disadvantage faced by country dwellers is that â€Å"everyone knows your dirty laundry. † According to Professor Cummins, â€Å"People do become overly involved in one anothers lives and for some people this can be a great source of irritation (Is Country Living). This problem does not exist in cities, seeing that there are far too many people around for an individual to dwell on the negative emotions of a few. Finally, although country living may feel more relaxed than city living, the reality of human life is that people do fall sick at one time or another, and â€Å"another country negative is that health services are pretty thin. † According to Phoebe Bull, who moved from the city to the country to get married, â€Å"I phoned to go to the dentist here, booked in two months ago and November 25 is the next date I can go — its just unbelievable and doctors are the same† (Is Country Living). No wonder, cities are still overcrowded. It is definitely more practical to live in the city. Water taxi man, Ric Fletcher from the city, agrees: Things open 24 hours a day, you can find a restaurant or a cafe anywhere. Youve got the opera, theatre, cinemas, a great choice of night life and live venues you can go to where youve got top-class acts playing pretty well all year round. † COUNTRY LIVING VERSUS CITY LIVING Page # 4 References 1. Is Country Living Healthier Than City Living? (1997). Nine MSN. Retrieved from http://health. ninemsn. com. au/article. aspx? id=118615. (17 March 2007).

Meeting Childrens Needs Using A Holistic Approach Young People Essay

Meeting Childrens Needs Using A Holistic Approach Young People Essay Play is the only way the highest intelligence of human kind can unfold Joseph Chilton Pearce Critically discuss how practitioners can meet childrens all-round care, learning and development needs by adopting a holistic approach. Recent government publications have focused on frameworks which support a holistic approach to the care and development of children. This essay will explore recent and historical theories of holism and the merits of such in the context of early learning. It will investigate how differing approaches meet the individual needs of children. It will discuss how the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Childrens Workforce enables the five outcomes of Every Child Matters: Change for Children (ECM) to be delivered through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS); simultaneously embracing a holistic, play based approach to learning and development. It will also identify the need for practitioners to truly understand and fully embrace their principles in order to deliver a child centred curriculum. Additionally it will explore the writings of those who appose the EYFS and establish if these notions are justified. References will be made to the writers setting and this will be referred to as the setting. Through play, the holistic development of the child is encouraged. Holistic is a term devised from the Greek word meaning whole and entire. A true holistic approach is child centred, recognises that every child is individual and unique, and should be treated with respect, regardless of age, race, religion, social status, disability. Every child has the right to a safe, secure, happy childhood with accesses to outside agencies who can offer support if needed. Play is a means through which children explore and make sense of their world preparing them for adulthood. Children are naturally curious, and by providing space, resources, opportunities, positive interactions with adults, peers and a safe environment for them to explore, learning and development will take place. Research undertaken by play for change (2008) revealed that play is vital to a childs development and practitioners should hold a sound knowledge of it. It is through play that children learn from their mistakes and bui ld relationships with others. There is no right or wrong way to play, it is something that morphs and changes constantly. It becomes, evolves and is built upon by the child. Pound mentions that; Play encourages creativity and imagination. It is intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically and linguistically challenging and encourages children to work in depth (alone and with others). It can offer all children the chance to explore and learn at their own pace and stage of development. It has a crucial role in enabling children to consolidate learning (Pound 2008 p74) Children should all have the right to an individual, experience rich learning environment, which is provided by practitioners, who have a clear understanding of how to meet their learning needs and styles. This in turn will engage childrens learning and enable them to develop and reach their full potential. Lindon defines the term holistic in a child context as; A holistic or whole child approach stresses the importance of thinking about and behaving towards children as entire individuals, that all their skills are important and support their whole development. Lindon (2009) p10 And Miller (2000) describes holistic education as; each person finds identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world, and to spiritual values such as compassion and peace. Holistic education aims to call forth from young people an intrinsic reverence for life and a passionate love of learning. The Children Act (2004) and ECM underpinned all legal changes to the childrens services. The ECM document, aims to protect children from harm, keep them healthy and help them to achieve their goals in life. Prevention, intervention and protection are at the forefront of this wider vision by promoting multi-disciplinary working and effective protection for children. The EYFS is the framework central to a ten year strategy that brings together all other existing frameworks. Integrated within the EYFS are the five outcomes of ECM, which are, be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well- being. Also the principles of the Common Core of skills and knowledge, which are; effective communication and engagement with children and families, child development, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child, supporting transitions, multi agency and integrated working and information sharing. These combined frameworks provide a child centred approach to the care and education of children. This is underpinned by a holistic, play based approach. It will ensure that all children have access to a consistent approach to care, learning and development. It is essential that all practitioners have a sound understanding of current frameworks and how to relate them to every day practice thus ensuring they are me eting the needs of all children. Maslows theory of the hierarchy of needs forms the basis of a holistic approach. Maslow identified five levels of need, starting with food and water. The next stage is safety and love followed by self esteem. At the top of his pyramid is self actualization. He believed that a child can not progress to the next stage until all their current needs have been met. He considers it the priority of the curriculum to meet the needs of children inside the classroom. The practitioner must provide an environment where children are safe, secure and emotionally stable and have a sense of belonging. A safe and happy childhood is the bedrock for childrens future learning and development. This concurs with the principles of the EYFS when providing a holistic education for children and the DCSF write that; A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right, and it provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents when they grow up. (DCSF 2008, p7) Children begin learning and developing before they are born and research proved that; 90% of a childs brain connections will be made by the time they are five. That means that their development and learning from birth to the age of five has significant influence on their future lives. (CWDC, 2010) During this period children are more responsive to the care and experiences they encounter. Bertram and Pascal (2006) p.70 discuss how high quality effective experiences provided in the early years improve life chances. Looking at the child holistically, with distinctive needs, interests and learning styles is beneficial to their development, and it is the belief of Hutchin that; To ensure children are confident, happy and engaged in learning their individual needs must be met. Hutchin (2006) p30 The notion of a holistic approach to education is not a recent one, and was identified as far back as 1805 by Pestalozzi (Pound 2008 p8). He was of the opinion that education was personal, and must appeal to the learners interests. He stressed the importance of recognising the uniqueness of all, and believed everyone had the potential to succeed. The EYFS integrates these principles into the framework and believes that; The EYFS and the Early Learning Goalsprovide sufficient flexibility for practitioners to follow childrens interests, respond to their ideas for developing play activities, and provide structured activities (which can also be playful to teach specific knowledge and skills. DCSF (2009) p4 Te Whariki, the curriculum of New Zealand also stresses the importance recognising children as unique, and that working closely with families is crucial to a childs development. It emphasises the important role play has in learning and development, and through its holistic approach aims to ensure all children grow up competent and confident, and can contribute positively to society. It also aims to ensure children are physically and mentally healthy (Pound 2008 p67- 69). Howard (2010), pointed out that; Early Years Education today needs to be far more creative than it has been in the past, as it needs to equip children with the skills and processes for an unknown tomorrow. (Howard, 2010 p51) Addressing childrens individuality and uniqueness through a holistic approach will ensure they progress to healthy adults, and enable them to remain a confident, stable member of an unpredictable world. Palmer (2006) p198 discusses how every child has a desire to learn and has an indication of what they want to learn. If the adult is aware of the childs interests, they will incite their enthusiasm and desire to learn more. He also writes that a rigid curriculum which gives no thought to a childs interests, or what inspires them, will not facilitate learning. The core principles of the EYFS are that, children learn and understand the world in which they live through play. Purposeful play primarily facilitates the development of social and emotional skills. These skills then assist all other areas of learning. Learning must be pleasurable, stimulating and challenging and performed in surroundings that reinforce holistic development. It is essential that it provides them with enough skills and self assurance to become a competent learner. All childrens individual needs and interests should be planned, through analysis of careful non judgemental observation. Planning should be individual, and incorporate a childs unique interests and developmental stage. Some do not fully understand the principles of a holistic approach and the aims of the EYFS, or how to implement them correctly, to ensure the children are happy, engaged learners. This therefore, highlights a need for settings to ensure that all practitioners are suitably informed, and educated regarding its principles and delivery. A true understanding of its core values and aims is vital, and all who implement should understand that; Play underpins the delivery of all the EYFS. DCSF (2008) p 6-7 Many of the children within the setting can become restless in situations which are of no interest to them. The most common is during the extremely formal registration period. The relevance of such an activity, should, be considered to determine whether it holds any learning potential. The Setting Manager considers the formal approach to learning favourable, and insists all children gather together at the beginning of each session for thirty minutes carpet time and registration. It is believed, that this is an unrealistic time scale for children to sit quietly listening to one adult. Unfortunately, the Foundation Stage Manager has a differing opinion. She is of the belief that children do not learn through osmosis or child initiated play, and that an adult must have constant input in order for any learning to take place. Adult initiated activities are interpreted as; the children are given worksheets daily and asked to complete them following a model on the board. All children are gi ven the same worksheet regardless of their ability. These worksheets are then used as evidence to add to their port folios. It is her belief that the purpose of observation is for expanding the content of a port folio and not the main source of evidence for assessment. To try and counteract these issues the larger of the two areas in the Foundation Unit has been re-organised. Low level print and interactive displays have been added. All areas have been made more accessible and enhancements such as materials, pictures and books added, to provide a good continuity of provision. Mark making tools have been placed in baskets around the area, these can then be transported by the children into other areas to encourage, and promote early writing skills. Numbers have been placed around the unit in various forms and interactive displays where shapes, numbers and colours can be sorted, have been added to promote problem solving, reasoning and number as well as fine motor skills. Photographs have been added to shelving units to help children to when tidying away. All provision is now accessible at all times allowing the children free flow play whenever possible. The two outdoor areas have also been improved, adding various materials to support learning. There are still many more improvements to be made both indoors and outdoors. Contrary to the managers beliefs, children are observed when possible by all other staff members. These observations are used to inform the planning of some team members. More in depth training as to the holistic aims of the EYFS, and its correct delivery would be advantageous. However, following her retirement in July, September will bring new changes to the routines of the setting, and promote a more child centred approach to learning. It was the belief of Montessori (Pound 2008 p 29-31) that a childs natural ability to learn stems from solid experience and the use of objects to explain ideas and concepts. Observation played a major role in her work and a fundamental part of the EYFS is assessment through observation and it identifies; Providers must ensure that practitioners are observing children and .use these observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child. DCSF(2009) p16 Italys Reggio Emila approach to learning not only agrees that all children have potential, and are individual and unique, but it also believes that observing and recording childrens experiences and play through various means e.g. photographs, videos, written observations is crucial to learning and development. (Pound 2008. P52, 53) Nutbrown and Carter (2010) p114 write that; Watching and learning are the essential tools of assessment with which practitioners can both establish the progress that has already taken place and explore the futureThe role of the adult in paying careful attention to childrens learning, and reflecting upon that learning, is crucial to the enhancement of childrens future learning. Observation plays a key part in establishing a childs developmental progress, interests and learning styles. Observing children in everyday activities enables practitioners to build up a precise image of the child, their understanding, and personal interests. These judgements should be based on childrens actions that are independent and uninfluenced by an adult. A holistic practitioner must be able to identify a childs individual learning needs and care requirements, as well as establish how their learning and development has progressed. Coates and Thompson agree that; In recording development and progress, relationships and actions become significant and illustrative of the progression in childrens learning. Coates Thomson(2010) p68 The holistic approach of the EYFS promotes the use of observations and maintains their importance in a childs development. It writes; observe childrens activities carefully, trying to discover what the child is thinking about and learning and the goals of the play, so they can accurately support and extend the childs learning focus either at the time, or later by changes to the environment or in planned activities. DCSF(2009) The project approach is a more recent approach to education and believes that all children have the desire to learn and want to make sense of their experiences through hands on experience. They must identify situations where learned skills will be useful and used appropriately to solve problems. Children build on their existing knowledge and they need the practitioner to aid the progression of these skills Classrooms must offer flexible learning which supports the needs of all children (Chard). A skilful practitioner will have the ability to engage with children and support these concepts. The EYFS recognises the importance of these ideologies and makes many references throughout the document on how to implement these measures and incorporate them into the curriculum successfully. It has been established that learning through play is central to the ideologies of the EYFS and indoors and outdoors are both equally as important as learning environments, and both equally as important in a childs development. It states that; Play underpins the delivery of all the EYFS. Children must have opportunities to play indoors and outdoors. . DCSF(2009) p7 The EYFS believes that children should be allowed to have responsibility for their learning and be able to make decisions and learn from their mistakes. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the fact that what a child can already do and are interested in, is a starting point for their learning Tassoni and Hucker agree that; Play is considered to be one of the primary needs of a child. Play is often said to be childs work Play is the main way in which children learn, and therefore play affects all aspects of a childs development. Tassoni Hucker (2000)p.1,5 The EYFS offers a developmentally, flexible continuum of goals for children from birth to five. For practitioners who agree with its principles and understand its true pedagogy implementation should be reasonably unproblematic. There are six areas of learning and development within the EYFS, which are broken down into, one hundred and seventeen scale points. Scale points four to eight are not hierarchical and can be achieved in any order. Scale point nine reflects those children who are beginning to move beyond the early learning goals. Many of the scale points interrelate and are often achievable together. The developmental stages of the EYFS overlap recognising that children are unique and will develop, grow and learn at differing rates. The children in the setting have a broad spectrum of abilities, and the flexibility and overlapping developmental phases of the EYFS enable practitioners to effectively identify where children are in relation to their development. It also assists s ome practitioners to plan and resource for individuals, as well as small groups who share similar abilities and interests. One member of staff works solely with a child who has special educational needs and she finds the EYFS guidance a valuable tool for establishing his progress when planning activities to support his learning, using the Look, listen and note section. This exemplifies the EYFS has a true understanding of the holistic approach to childrens development. Kelly agrees that; An important feature of the EYFS is the principle of it being a developmental framework. Rather than prescribing a set of learning objectives or targets, it is intended to provide a continuum of development (milestones) which acknowledges the fact that children are unique and may not progress in the same way or at a uniform rate. Kelly (2009) But is the EYFS as holistic and child centred as it claims to be, some think not, the Open Eye Campaign believes it is; overly prescriptive, potentially harmful to the development of children and a breach of the human right of parents to have their children educated in accordance with their own philosophies. Open Eye (2007) However, the DCSF counter argue that; There is no obligation in the EYFS for children to reach any particular standards The EYFS is founded on the importance of play. It doesnt require any formal approaches, and in fact discourages them, recognising that children need to play to have fun and to learn about the world around them, by playing freely with support from adults. DSCF(2008) p9 And the QCDA( Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency) states that; Parents can apply for an exemption to the school that their child attends, if they consider that the learning and development requirements of the EYFS framework (or some element of them) are in conflict with their religious or philosophical beliefs. QCDA (2010) These statements reinforce that the core principles of the EYFS places the child at the centre of its practice, and any parent has the right to withdraw their child from any aspects of the curriculum they disapprove of. It also confirms that parents do have the casting vote on how their child is educated. Within the developmental stages are the early learning goals. These are not necessarily attainable by all children, and the goals cover a wide range of achievable objectives. In agreement with the earlier citation by Kelly (2009), it is believed that it ensures all children, whatever their stages of development have their learning needs identified and met. Most children will not have achieved all scale points at the end of their reception year and ideally implementation of the EYFS should continue into KS1. In their letter to the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Siraj-Blatchford,  Duffy  and Nelson request that the EYFS; Continues the Early Years Foundation Stage to the end of Key Stage 1. Siraj-Blatchford,  Duffy  and Nelson (2008) Kirklees are in agreement with this fact and write that; Teachers in Y1 can continue to use the EYFS Profile as their assessment tool for children where they consider this to be appropriate. This will be particularly the case for children who have not obtained any or most of the Early Learning Goals (ELG) scale points 4-8 in a particular EYFS Profile scale. Kirklees (2009) Transitions can sometimes prove stressful for children and this is recognised by the Common core of skills and knowledge. This asserts that, supporting a continued approach will enable the child to adapt more easily to stressful situations they encounter throughout their lives. These could be between classes or family issues. Within the setting a great deal of training and discussion has taken place to implement these measures, ensuring the Year One Teacher plans effective, responsive activities that support continued development. Many changes have been made to the set up and structure of the Years One classroom to guarantee a continuum of good practice which will enable children to carry on achieving. It is also essential that practitioners listen and respond to childrens needs and feelings. Assisting them to overcome difficulties and address any problems they face. Sharing these fears and worries with others will help them deal with them in a controlled, safe environment, with attentive, understanding impartial adults The children within the setting attend circle and nurture time on a weekly basis. This session allows the children a chance to discuss how their actions, and the actions of others impact, both positively and negatively on feelings. Children are given the opportunity to discuss their feelings, worries and concerns with a member of staff who is trained to deal with them. Any serious concerns are forwarded to the designated person in charge of child protection. They are dealt with in a tactful and sensitive manner following the relevant policies. This activity also reinforces social skills such as turn taking and sharing. One of the achievable goals outlined in the EYF S is; Work as part of a group or class, taking turns and sharing fairly, understanding that there needs to be agreed values and codes of behaviour for groups of people, including adults and children, to work together harmoniously. DCSF(2008) During this session they also participate in nurture time this is based on the premise of play therapy and the children are given the opportunity to address their feelings through carefully controlled play situations. It gives them a chance to deal with, and express their emotions in a calm controlled way, with staff who are trained to deal with and support the child through any difficult and emotional times. The EYFSs holistic aim puts the child at the centre of all practice and recognises their individuality. It welcomes and celebrates difference and diversity in all, and great importance is placed on communicating effectively with parents and involving them in every process of their development. Parents are recognised as the childs main educator. Part of this involves each child having a key worker who will help them to develop whilst offering support to both the child and the family. Key workers provide a safe and secure attachment for the child and their parents. They are a point of contact, with which parents can discuss any worries or concerns. They are responsible for a small group of children who they help to settle and observe. They liaise with parents and other outside agencies where necessary. This concept relates to Bowlby and Goldschmieds theory of attachment. Both believed that secure attachments are essential for positive social, emotional and intellectual development, and that children will show a preference to one adult, and that these attachments are a normal part of development. (Pound 2008 p44-45). Jackson (2009) draws our attention to this and writes; the key person system is designed to ensure that each child in a day nursery has a special relationship with an individual staff member. Jackson (2009) There are two Teachers, two Nursery Nurses and two Classroom Assistants within the setting and although certain children and parents have formed attachments with staff, there is currently no key worker system in place. This decision was not undertaken without due consideration. Many incidents have occurred, where one of the Classroom Assistants had miss informed parents and wrongly recorded information, she was offered the relevant training and self development but declined the offer, stating that she did not have the time or the confidence to drive to other locations. Other members of staff offered help and advice, but this too was declined. These concerns were brought to the attention of the Head Teacher, who recommended that a well informed member of the team should be readily available whenever parents are in the building, and all recorded information should be checked before being placed in the childrens profiles. At this present moment in time these issues are still been addres sed, and it is hoped that in the near future an effective key worker system will be established. Although children may appear the same and share similar interests they are all individual and unique. This not only relates to their interests, development, and learning styles but also their race, religion and cultural heritage. By celebrating and embracing difference and diversity the EYFS maintains that every child is included and not put at a disadvantage. It is important that every child must learn to value the differences and diversity in others and mature into confident adults that will make a positive contribution to society. In her introduction to diversity, inclusion and learning in the early years Siraj-Blachford identifies that; In modern, diverse societies, and a world that increasingly recognizes the realities of global interdependence, it is essential that children learn social competence to respect other groups and individuals, regardless of the difference. The learning must begin in the earliest years of a childs education. Siraj-Blachford (2010) p151 Pound (2009) p 9-11 discusses how Bronfenbrenner developed the Egological Systems this theory relates to how everything that surrounds a child has an influence on their development, and that practitioners must treat all children, their families, beliefs and culture with respect and create a setting that is both welcoming and accepting. In recent years the setting has become a more diverse environment and now welcomes families of differing religions, countries and heritages. In order to ensure each individual felt accepted and valued, a display which contained the words hello and welcome in several languages was added. This was displayed along side a talented wall which contained a picture of each child engaged in their favourite activities and the words I am talented, together we are awesome, because I can. The Leeds Gypsy Roma Traveller achievement service also provided a range of resources which were displayed around the setting. The aim was to raise awareness and overcome prejudice of the Gypsy, Roma and Travellers in the setting and highlight the values of their culture and heritage. A parent informed the setting that she had enjoyed looking at the displays and artefacts and had gained a great deal of knowledge and understanding from them. One child became greatly interested in the objects displayed on a table. He took ownership of the toy caravan and placed it into his pocket at the beginning of every session. He removed it at intervals during the day and used it to enhance his play in various areas. He then placed it back on the table before he left, usually hiding it behind a bigger object where it was safe for the next day. All current frameworks place a strong emphasis on safe guarding, multi-agency working and information sharing between settings, social services, health professionals and all those who come into contact with children. The common core of skills and knowledge emphasises the importance of practitioners holding a sound knowledge of how these agencies work and interrelate. Early intervention is vital. When effective, operational partnerships are formed between various organisations relevant information can be obtained and acted upon rapidly ensuring problems are detected and addressed before they become harmful to the child. A practitioner who recognises the holistic approach to the child must be aware of the policies and procedures when dealing with safe-guarding issues. The common core of skills and knowledge are not yet legal requirement any many settings and practitioners are unaware of its existence. Making this legal requirement will guarantee all practitioners are capable of deliver ing its aims in the correct manner with the child at the forefront of their practice. This outlines the necessity for practitioners to be reflective and undertake regular personal development to ensure they provide the best quality of care and learning. It also requires practitioners to regularly reflect on and develop their own practice, in order to improve the provision, learning potential and wellbeing of individuals in the setting ensuring their individual needs are met. Conclusion When delivered as intended the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge, ECM and the EYFSs principles do place the child at the centre of all good practise. They stress the importance of meeting a childs individual needs and care requirements. None the less it has been established that some do not comprehend how to deliver it effectively understanding truly the childs uniqueness. This has identified a need to further train practitioners in its aims and principles. Many theories and approaches have been considered when compiling the EYFS and the most vital components have been added. John Oates (2007) one of the writers of the EYFS, states that it recognises the importance of uniqueness and developmental differences between children. He claims that assessing children is not to establish success or failure, but to stress how the main areas of learning are built upon from previous experience. Although the school that the setting is attached to aims to provide a holistic approach to care and education, it has been established that the setting and its staff needs to go through man