Observing Communication

This past week I observe a mother and her young son in Wal-Mart buying grocery.  He looks to be no more than five years old, pushing the grocery cart and was well dress and mannered.  I can say that most of the time when I observe parents in a store with their child/children, they are usually yelling and pulling at their kids, but not this one.  I was so amazed at the way she was communicating with him, it really took  me for a turn.  They pass by the children books, and he noticed a book, picked it up and glance through it.  I noticed she took the time and observe what he was doing and I could hear her ask him “do you want that book” and to my belief he replied back and said “yes mom”.  I can count the number of children on my hand that has been well trained and brought up in a home like that.  In most situations the parents would yell at the child, “put that book down, you don’t have any money and I don’t either!”  We all know that children are sensitive and love to feel accepted and this provides the space for each child to be their unique self (Laureate Education, 2010).

 

            So in this case, the young child picked up the reading book and his mother simply ask him did he want it.  Instead of doing all that yelling that some parents would do, she kneel down to his level and softly asked him did he want the book to take home to read.  This gives the child a sense of feeling important and supported by their mother, not just at home, but also in the community.  So lets continue to give that encouragement as our children moves toward independence. 

 

                                                      Reference:

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. NAEYC. Washington, DC.

Creating Affirming Environments

I have always wanted to open up my own Family Child Care Home center in the rural delta of Mississippi.  There are so many children that rely on an older brother or sister to babysit them after school and during the spring/summer break.  I love to see children strive and develop through the help of a nurturing educator.

 

If I was to open up a family child care home it would be important for it to be safe and welcoming.  I would offer many tools for children to learn from and also space for them to play.  After touring Adriana Castillo’s home, I believe I would also display images (family pictures or drawings) of my children, along with their family bringing in cultural items to share in the classroom while promoting diversity (Laureate Education, 2010).  This will give the children/parents a way to connect to the other families that come to my family child care. 

 

          Each month I would create a different anti-bias curriculum that allows children to learn about different foods, cultures, and languages.  As stated in the media segment, Adriana also focuses on children’s interests and this month was emotions, you have so many different emotions that come into a care center every day (Laureate Education, 2010).  One day Jane might be nice and the next day she might be angry, everyone has different emotions and that’s one of the main focus of a child.

 

        I would also like to build a sense of communication, having the family become involved in the morning sign-in or out.  Once children interact with other families and children, this will bring a sense of emphasis on partnership/involvement.  My center would also include a bulletin board with the weekly activities, letting the families know what will be happening in the classroom and outside the classroom.

With this environment, I want to provide enough space for them to learn and also have fun at the same time.  There is so much for a child to learn and explore about themselves; so as we learn together, we will also grow together.  As stated in the text, in many cultures, a teacher is someone to be respected.  We have some families that wouldn’t even consider raising issues of concern.  It’s our job to listen and learn as we talk, and initiate solutions to specific differences (Derman-Sparks & Edwards 2010).

 

                                                Reference

Derman-Sparks, L. & Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. NAEYC, Washington, DC.

Laureate Education (2010). “Welcoming children in the home.”  Retrieved from http://www.waldenu.edu/

                What I Have Learned

One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds

I want to be able to acknowledge families that come from diverse backgrounds.  I want to make them feel welcome, secure and openly to talk to me at anytime of the day.  By posting different cultural activities, such as dancing, eating, and religion on the bulletin board and talking about the different ways children live will help children realize that everyone is different and don’t need to be talked and taunted.  As we sit around in group circles, I want to allow our young ones to be able to talk openly and continue to have that respectful relationship like anyone else.  Because we all know that everyone deserves to be treated right and let’s continue to have social justice for all.

One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice

I want to be able to create social justice for children in the early childhood field.  Being able to let the families, along with their children participate in any activity that is going on related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice.  Furthermore, I want to be able to talk about the many different issues that are going on pertaining to prejudice and bias in the field of education.

A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

I would like to thank my colleagues and professor for being such loyal individuals to my discussions and blog posts.  I’m looking forward to many of your comments and hope to see you in my next class.  Good Luck and Happy Holidays!!

Start Seeing Diversity Blog:  Creating Art

Thinking about what I have learned in this course about children identities and development and the ways in which each is impacted by bias, discomfort, and trauma.

Diversity is accepting people for who they are in the light

Even though it may cause pain in another person’s eye sight

People come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors

But who’s the blame, when everyone decides to take over one another

There’s so much to see on television and through books

I guess that’s the reason why many people give us “that” look

We have been told what’s right and what’s wrong

But we haven’t been told not to leave our comfort zone

This journey is long and tough

But with trust and respect we’ll overpass the rough

So let’s continue to love and respect

Because in the classroom, children don’t see pass the neck

Continuing to bow and give our teachers a hand

The more we learn, the better we’ll be able to stand

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

        I can remember one particular incident when my son, at the age of seven was walking in the sand on a beach.  Out of the blue, here come two men, holding hands, one of the men looking similar to a woman (lip gloss, eye lashes, short pants and plenty of jewelry).   My son looked up at me and said “mom is that two men, do they suppose to be holding hands like that?”  I was absolutely stunned and couldn’t say anything at the moment.  Once I snap back to reality, I told him they was just close friends and decided to hold hands on the beach today. I also told him there’s nothing wrong with holding hands, but some individual have disagreements with people of the same sex holding hands.  This is the reason why we need to listen and be attentive to our children at all times. Even though children may not understand the full meaning of their biased comments, these can become the basis for more developed prejudice if adults do not respond to them (Pelo, 2008).

What messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response?  A lot of times when children see couples holding hands it’s a sign of affection for one another.  When I looked stunned at my son, the message that probably was communicated to him was “this just doesn’t look right”.  I wanted to reply to him with a short and comfortable answer because there are so many forms of miscommunication taking place every day in the world.  We all know that children observe everything at home, school, and on outings and we love our children.  But we also know that society has changed since their upbringing, so we must be honest and open with them when communicating. 

An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child's (or classroom’s) understanding.  Many children are unaware of the different basis of gender, but they learn from the environment in which they live.  As an educator, having an anti-bias approach help children learn to treat everybody the same and with respect.  We cannot eliminate prejudice, but we can help a child respect the ability to work together with different viewpoints and have the commitment to act against bias relationships.

                                            Reference

Pelo, A. (2008). Rethinking Early Childhood Education.  A Rethinking Schools Publication.

“Start Seeing Diversity Video” Blog:

Gender, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

       My response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families would help engage children in learning and knowing about gay and lesbian individuals. In today’s society there are so many individuals that are coming out the closet and living together and getting married.  Many of our children are becoming confused, seeing women engaging with women and men engaging with men.  As a parent, I would sit down and let my child know that many children have same sex families and even though they may experience discrimination, they are still considered a family.  As stated in the media segment, many families consist of two women, single parent, two men or foster parents, but they still care and nurture their child/children just like any other parent.  They are always there when you need them, a shoulder to lean on and an arm to carry you.  Many children are explore to this a school, mall, movies, radio and even television shows, that’s the reason why we need to sit our children down and let them know what’s happening in the world and what to expect. As stated in the text, some states recommend high schools to establish policies protecting gay and lesbian youth from harassment and violence; teachers and counselors being able to receive professional development to respond to the needs of the students and also establish a support group, so topics can be talked about (Pelo, 2008).

       My response to a parent/family who informed me that they did not want anyone who is perceived homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child is to let them know that it’s all about the job and not about the person’s beliefs.  I live in a fairly small community and the school district does not discriminate a person of who they are, it’s all about what you can teach my child and your qualifications.  I would love to sit down with this family and listen to what they have to say and explain to them it’s all about education and we need to support our children.  We need to find out why so many families fall out with individuals that are perceived to be homosexual/transgender, if we would listen, we’ll probably learn something.

Reference

Pelo, A. (2008).  Rethinking Early Childhood Education.

                      Professional Thanks and Support

       Taking a minute to let my colleagues know how they have supported me through this course.  It gives me great courage to say, I enjoyed reading and sharing stories about families and heartaches through discussions and blogs.  I have a passionate for early childhood education and I have a ton of love for children.  I want you all to continue to promote diversity in the classroom and care for the kids as though they are your owns.  Let’s continue to have that solid foundation through communication and encourage them daily.  If we continue to allow our children to practice educational skills and don’t forget about a little fun, we can make a difference in their lives!

       Thanking my colleagues for taking the time to read my blogs and supporting them.  I hope they have been enlightening to you and I wish you all the best! May God bless you and I as we continue this journey together.  For those of you that are going in a different direction, continue to reach for the stars.