My Hopes, My Goal, and Special Thanks

My Hope:

My hope for the families and children that I work with will feel welcomed and at home in my classroom.  I hope that I am able to depict an open mind, limit stereotypical behaviors that has been learned, and move towards an anti-bias learning environment.  I hope that I can work with all the families and children and truly depict their diverse cultures and family values.  My hope is that I can share my knowledge with other staff so that all children and families within our center fill welcomed and at home in this learning environment.  My hope is to set a positive example for others so that all can become anti-bias in our thoughts and throughout our lives.  My hope is that the world will become fair, equitable, and demonstrate social justice for all.

My Goal for the Early Childhood Field

A goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field is that every child has an equitable opportunity for education in a bias free environment.  This environment needs to address different ethnicities, races, genders, abilities, and family types.  This learning environment needs to address stereotypes and help children to figure out what is a stereotype and what is a fact.  Children should learn about other groups of people and a factual manner.  Every child will have a bias free, equitable, and social just learning environment. 

A Special Thank You

I would like to say thank you to all my colleagues for your input and support throughout this course.  I have learned a lot through your experiences and thoughts that you have shared.  I thank you so very much and I hope that I have helped in your learning process as much as you have in mine.  I would also like to send a thank you to Dr. Kien for your support and feedback is this essential journey to becoming an anti-bias educator.   Thank you!!

Creating Art -- Diversity, Identity, and Bias

Diversity

Diversity is in our identities from our families and roles

Diversity is among us in everything that we do and know

Diversity is in our differences

Diversity is in our traditions and cultures

Diversity is our life

Bias

Bias is negative or wrongful thoughts

Bias is what we are taught from birth

Bias can begin as a stereotype

Bias can be stopped

Opening eyes and spreading the word

We are all who we are

Our similarities make us human

Our differences make us unique

Our families teach us what society thinks

It is up to us all to break the cycle

And send equity and justice to all

We Don’t Say Those Words

            The way that we respond to children’s curiosity about others effects the way that they see people around them.  According to Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2012) we need to talk to children about what they see; however, I like others have told a child that we do not say things like that.  Several years ago when my eldest daughter, Cassie, was three years old we were in Walmart shopping when Cassie saw a lady that had many scars on her face.  I do not remember the exact details this took place 18 years ago.  Cassie made a comment about the lady and her scars and I remember that I immediately hushed her and told her we do not talk about others.

            The message that I communicated to Cassie and the lady if she heard or saw me was the lack of value that I gave the lady.  The truth is that I did not know what to say to her about the lady’s scars.  I could have talked about the differences that we all have.  Since I did not know this lady I did not know anything about the markings (scars) that she had.  So I could have talked to my daughter about things that happen that might give us scars or sometimes we are born with different skin variations and coloring.  Hushing my daughter only got her more interested in staring and wondering about the lady.  According to Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2012) and Pelo (2008) we should talk about the things that our young children see and are interested in.  An effective anti-bias educator would expand their critical thinking skills by asking questions (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).

References

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. (2012). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). EDUC 6357: Diversity, development, and learning. [Webcast]. Start seeing diversity: Physical ability and characteristics. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Pelo, A. (Ed.). (2008). Rethinking early childhood education. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools.