What I Have Learned

One hope that I have when I think about  about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that all children are able to be themselves without barriers in their lives that will make them uncomfortable in their own skin.

One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice is to continue to attend workshop, courses as well as training to continue to be updated on new knowlege when it comes to diversity, equity, and social justice.

I would like to say thank you to Professor Weems, as well as my colleagues.   I am grateful to had this opportunity to collaborate and exchange ideas on learning strategies to help children to overcome bias, and prejudice.  Good luck to everyone on your educational journey.

.Start Seeing Diversity Blog: Creating Art

Celebrating our Differences

We must acceptance differences by showing love and respect to one another. 
Appreciation is very important; do not attack one another.

"Share our similarities, celebrate our differences."
M. Scott Peck

Week 6 "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.

I can remember a couple of years ago there was a lady who had Muscular Dystrophy and was the school counselor.  One of her arms was in a folded position and she walked with a slight limp. I can remember one of the kids imitating the way that she was walking and the other children started laughing.  The counselor did not say anything; but I remember one of the teachers talking to the little boy in private and afterwards the little boy came and apologized to the counselor.

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

The message that might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response is that we do not laugh at people who are different.

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

It is important that teachers help children to be accepting of people with disabilities. Teachers should read books to the class about people with disabilities who are heroines.