What I Have Learned

A hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is to teach the appreciation of all mankind and to broaden their awareness of issues that matters and to create a community of happiness without all of the stereotyping of people.   We are all created in God’s image and no one can pre-determine their race, gender, or nationality but we can all determine how we treat one another.  

A goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice would be for the children and their families to welcome each other by learning to accept individuals for who they are and to learn about the different cultures.  “Anti-bias education work in early childhood is shaped by a deep-seated belief in the importance of justice, the dream of each child being able to achieve all he or she is capable of, the knowledge that together human beings can make a difference” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 9).

I would like to say to all of my colleagues that I have enjoyed sharing my ideas with you and I really appreciate you sharing your ideas and knowledge with me.  I wish much luck and success to everyone and I hope to see you in my next class.

Reference

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

     ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.

Creating Art

The world is made up of a rainbow of people. We come from different cultural backgrounds and we each have our own identity.  Let us start respecting each other for who we are.  Justice and equality for all regardless of race, sexual preference, class, and ability.  Teach love.  Teach unity.  Teach respect.  Teach understanding.  We all make important contributions to the world in which we live.  "Anti-bias education work in early childhood is shaped by a deep-seated belief in the importance of justice, the dream of each child being able to achieve all he or she is capable of , the knowledge that together human beings can make a difference" (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 9).

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves.

     Washington, DC

The world we all live in is an umbrella

gay couple with a child

disabled employee

children of different cultures

heterosexual couple

international children of the world

interracial couple

lesbian couple

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

I asked my cousin about her kids to get a response to what has been said in situations such as words we don't say.  My cousin told me that her son saw this lady and said, "she is ugly."  Sophia said she responded by saying, "boy, hush! you're not suppose to say that."

I think the message that she communicated to her son was that it is wrong and impolite to say someone is ugly.  As an anti-bias educator I would have responded by saying that we are beautiful in our own way.  Beauty is only skin deep, it is the inner beauty that means the most.

"No one escapes learning stereotypes and misconceptions about various aspect of human diveristy.  These lessons begin when we are very young, taught initially and most powerfully by our family and then by the larger world around us" (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 23).

                                                               Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias Education  for Young Children and Ourselves.
    
     Washington, DC:  NAEYC