WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED     

   

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

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and their families who happen to come from diverse backgrounds is that I realize the great opportunity I have to learn more about their culture and their likes and their differences. I hope that I can make that family feel comfortable, loved and appreciated for who they are and allow them to teach me things about their culture. I want to be able to take the information that I learn from them and pass it on to others in the classroom as well as other faculty and staff members and my own family. 

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).

My goal is to be an ambassador for early childhood education in the issues of diversity and equity. I want people to realize that this world is made up of so many people that are different and that everyone matters. I want people to know that we are a great country because of our differences and these differences are assets. I want to do research on the things that are going on in my own State of Tennessee, and see what I can do to help children in early childhood deal with biases and prejudices. 

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

I would like to take this time to thank all of my colleagues along with the professor for all the rich information, all of the interesting posts of collages, the poems, and the videos.  All of these things have helped to enlighten me on diversity and biases.  I have truly enjoyed this class and wish everyone well in all they endeavor to do. God bless you all!!!

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: Creating Art

POEM:  WHO ARE WE

When we look in the mirror each morning

As we go through the hustle and bustle of getting off to work, to school or to play

How many people do we see each day

How many faces do we see each day

How are we alike and how are we different

Are we defined by our appearance

Are we judged by our differences

Are we praised for our accomplishments, loved for who we are and defined by what we do

Many colors, many races, many dimensions, many shapes, many sizes

All bleed red blood, all have two eyes, two ears, one mouth, one head, and one body

All love the same, hurt the same, laugh the same, and cry the same

We love our children, love our spouses, love our lord and love our animals

Why do we hate the differences instead of embracing the individuality

Why do we speak unkindly about what we don’t understand

We all have a voice, we all have a choice

Give love, respect differences and enjoy life to the fullest

We all have a purpose in life and a god that loves us all

Let’s stop the hate, stop the violence, stop the prejudices, stop the biases, and see each person as one that can possibly change our lives.

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: "We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

"Educators who do speak out, who take action in the name of anti-bias education, find that most times all parties share the same aim: to protect children from bias and prejudice."

·         A time when you witnessed an adult (or yourself) reprimand or silence a child after he or she pointed out someone they saw as different (e.g., "That lady talks funny," " That man only has one leg!" "Why is that man so pretty!"). Include what the child said and what the adult did or said in response. (Note: If you cannot think of a specific time ask a friend or family member.)

·         What messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response.

·         An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child's (or classroom's ) understanding.

 At my church there is a young man that has autism.  Often he makes different noises and sounds during the services and sometimes when he is upset he may scream. During one of his episodes, one of children started laughing and pointing and making comments about this young man. The child said, He is crazy, why is he yelling like that.  The adult simply replied, just stop it okay.  She never took the time to explain that the child had a disorder that caused him to behave in a certain way but merely allowed the child to believe the other child was crazy. This of course upset me because this is something that should have been handled in a way that didn't leave the child believing the child was as she stated "crazy".  If she had taken the time to educate the child along with the children around her the seriousness of biases or prejudices, they probably would not be so judgmental the next time they saw someone acting differently from what they were used to seeing. 

Educators would explain why it is important to ask questions before making comments and also let the child see how wrong it is to call names. Since the adult did not address the fact the child called the other child crazy, the child is to assume that it is okay to say bad things about others.

I believe an educator would have taken the time to say to the children that there are people that have disabilities and illnesses that cause them to act a certain way when they are happy, sad, excited or angry. "The more passion you have about the need for creating a world of justice and peace for children, the more you will be able to make it a priority in your work".   When we can get rid of our prejudices and biases and things that make us uncomfortable, then will we be able to teach it to others. But first we have to recognize when there is a issue that needs to be addressed and know how to address it. We have to be the example.