Blog Assignment: 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)

   My hope is to successfully create an environment for all children and families with a diverse background.  In this environment I want it to be enriched with anti-bias education and curriculum that promotes healthy and respectful relationships, equal opportunities, and social equity and justice for all children and families, including those of a diverse background.



 
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 bring opportunities that reflect diversity, equity, and social justice in the educational setting that engages the developmental domains of all children by implementing strategies that foster these issues without being bias and prejudice in the early childhood field.



  
A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

    I would like to thank all colleagues for their continuous support as we journey through this program.  I am honored to have collaborated and communicated with such a professional group of individuals.  Thank you for your comments and sharing your personal and professional insights regarding issues on diversity in early childhood education, as well as your personal lives. I would also like to wish all of you continued success in your educational and professional goals. 




  Also, May you all have a happy, safe, and blessed holiday season!

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: Creating Art

I AM

I am a girl with silky hair and blue eyes
I am a girl with braids and brown eyes

I am a tall boy
I am a short boy

I am poor

I am rich                                                                      

I am a girl who likes to climb trees
I am a boy who likes to bakes cakes

I am a woman who is thin
I am a woman is round

I am a man who is in a wheelchair                                                    
I am a man who uses a cane

I am single
I am of a strong family

I am man with no hands
I am a man with one seven fingers on one hand

I am a girl who is blind
I am a boy who cannot hear

I am an Indian in the trees
I am an African in the wild

I am a Chinese in the sea                                               
I am a Muslim in the city
I am a Caucasian in the park

I am a professional                                                                             
I am a slacker

I am a loud
I am proud

I am different
So please just respect me for being me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class"

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.)
I remember a couple of years ago we were in the grocery store and my little niece was staring at a lady who legs had been amputated and she was in a wheel chair. She was staring so hard that she ran into the cups on an aisle in the store. I observed her eye action and body language and I scolded her and told her to “stop it”. I told her to stop staring because what she was doing was rude and disrespectful. I explained to her that we all are different and because we are different does not give others the right to judge or stare.

What messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response
My niece has being with many plenty of times after this incident and she has seen many people with disabilities and she does not show any reaction. She acts like the person is just like her, and in fact, we all are the same. I believe that this incident made her aware that her staring could upset and affect a person more. I believe that my response affected my niece in a positive manner because she realized an important lesson of treating people with equality and respect.

An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child's (or classroom's ) understanding
An anti-bias educator would create an environment that supports a child’s understanding be explaining to the child that we all are unique and special and that we should treat all people the same. Over the past several we have displayed curriculum and materials that promote diversity within our educational settings. We have materials that promote disabilities so that children are aware that we all are different.