What I Have Learned: Week 8

 

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length) <p>

 

The one hope I have for working with my families and children is to really immerse myself in learning about each families unique differences and bringing them into my classroom as best I can. I want to be able to help all children no matter where they live or what their family situation might be. Children have no control over their young lives and it is up to us to help them succeed and give them the tools for this success. I would like to help children get the education they are afforded even if they are not able to pay because again the children have no control over this and each and every person should have an education. <p>

 

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length) <p>

 

A goal that I have for the early childhood field would be to help bring more awareness to everyone the importance of educating all children around the world. Education is supposed to be equal for all and here we are in the 21^st century and we still haven’t made it equal for all. I would like to have centers available in each community that caters to children no matter their race, gender, disability, or any number of other injustices that we dole out whenever we see fit. We must overcome our biases to help our families to reach the goals that they set for themselves and their children. <p>

 

 

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues<p>

 

Lastly, I would like to thank my colleagues for their continued support during this class; I truly appreciate your comments and suggestions as they are helping me to grow. You have all shared many great ideas and stories that I will remember. We have shared our biases and hopefully we are learning from each other as well as growing to be better people and educators. Here’s to another class down and two more to go, hopefully I will see you next week in our next class. Best wishes to each and every one of you in your continued journey. <->

 

 

Start Seeing Diversity

Start Seeing Diversity<p>

 

Diversity is how we are different<p>

Instills our beliefs<p>

Values that we hold near and dear<p>

Exceptions to our beliefs as we share with others<p>

Refuse to worry what others think<p>

Say or do<p>

Including all consequences<p>

Therefore, we are to be an individual<p>

You and me will be one and unique in the grand scheme of society<p>

<p>Diversity means many things to each individual. We all have our own definition and for me it includes being true to each race, culture, child, adult’s unique qualities that define a person and instead of changing someone to fit what we believe. <p>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Don't Say Those Words in Class

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"<p>

I have witnessed many young children being reprimanded for pointing out a person’s disability, race, speech or type of clothing being worn. The incident that I witnessed was just recently and when I heard the child I wondered how the person it was directed at would react. The recent incident was when I was at the local grocery store and a child of about 6 or 7 years old was shopping with their mother. While in the checkout line the child blurted out to the store cashier “what happened to your face!” The mother instantly shushed the child and tried to change the subject. The store cashier however was amazing because they answered the child without issue. He took the time to explain to the child that he was burnt when he was a young teenager. He also explained that he had to grow new skin and that is why it’s different. When he was done the child’s curiosity seemed satisfied and even the mother’s embarrassment seemed to be eased.<p>

The message that was communicated was that we should not point out another’s disability in this manner. We should be cognizant of others feeling and not stare or blurt out questions in this way, this could have really hurt the cashiers feeling and made them feel like the center of attention and they are just doing their job. We would not want someone to stare or talk about us in this way.<p>

The way an anti-bias educator could handle the situation might be to sit down with the child after the incident and explain to them that what they did in the store was improper and hurtful to the cashier and it made other in the store uncomfortable. I would need to read books, and obtain pictures to help all children understand that differences are good and we should not ask questions out loud, questions should be asked in private so we don’t offend or hurt anyone. I would also need to review with the children any traits that the person might have and find a way to incorporate learning about burn victims and other types of physical disabilities they may come across. Through understanding how each person is a stepping stone to our society I can help the children by teaching to each topic that comes up in the classroom.<p>