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 have always had respect for those
who may be a different color, walk a different way, because I have been a part
of that diversity all my life. As a
young child in school, I was called names because I have been over weight. I
was not picked to be on the team, but the last one pick because I was the only
fat one left. I had been hurt myself so I know how it feels when someone one
say something that was insulting to another person. The first time my niece saw
me walking with my brace on my leg and using my walker, she asked if me if my leg hurt?
What
messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response
I told her yes, it does sometimes. I
let her touch my leg to see how it feels. She told the others not to get into
my way. Do not bump my leg, because it
would hurt me. My niece is just four.
An
example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the
child's (or classroom's ) understanding
I feel we need to make sure that
there are books, flash cards or puppets available to the children that can
address all types of disabilities; children in wheelchairs, on crutches,
pictures of large and small children, and puppets that show children without a
limb. This will help with the hands on feel.
They need to feel to help them understand why as well. Children can also
broaden their knowledge by sorting pictures into different categories. A set of
pictures showing people with disabilities in active roles in their homes (Laureate
Education, Inc., 2011)
Sandra
Reference
Laureate Education, Inc., (2011) “Start Seeing Diversity: Physical Ability and
Characteristics” (Transcripts) Diversity,
Development, and Learning -Baltimore, MD; (Author)
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteYour story about your niece made me think that we all should talk openly about our differences to children. I believe that we all have something different from most other people. Things like racial identities down to small things like being tall, average height, or short or having big feet, small feet, moles or freckles all differentiate us. I think talking about these features openly and positively helps children find out how they want to get involved with people with differences as your niece did.
Aya
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job giving your niece just enough information to get your message across. Preschoolers need the information that they can comprehend and understand. You were also patient and allowed her to explore without brushing her off.
Good job!
Lori
Hi Sandra! You have given some excellent strategies on creating an anti-bias environment and how educators can foster anti-bias behavior. Most of the time, children are hungry for knowledge and understanding. They often have questions about how and why people are different from each other. It is essential that anti-bias educators are prepared to use necessary materials to promote everyone embracing diversity!
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should use necessary material to explain difference and diversity to our students. We should make them aware that people may look different or act different then we do does not make them less of a human so therefore we should treat everyone with the upmost respect.
THanks for the post.
Erica Hines