What I Have Learned

    

     My hope for working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is for my family, friends, and colleagues to grasp the importance of being more mindful of others around them, especially those who are unlike themselves.  Everything from the way we speak to our nonverbal gestures can make all the difference in how we or others are perceived.  If we want children to like themselves and value diversity, we must learn how to help them resist the biases and prejudices that are still far too common in our society.  Therefore, it is essential that we help young children build strong self-identities by teaching them to resist bias, and to value the differences between people as much as the similarities.

               

     The one goal I have for the early childhood field related to diversity, equity, and social justice is for all educators to look beyond the curriculum and use the world’s issues within the classroom.  These are the very things that our children are dealing with daily.  It is important for all students to be acknowledged and be aware that their circumstance does not make them; it is how they will use their experiences to become a better person while helping those around them.

     Classmates, I cannot believe that we are one again at the end of yet another fruitful course.  I am truly THANKFUL for everyone’s thoughts, insights, and words of intelligence.  Please know that it would have been difficult to make it through without your opinions, which urged me on weekly.  I again, look forward to seeing you in the upcoming courses (as I am always so pleased to see an old name- who needs faces)!  Take care and know that you all are blessed!!

Terri

Creating Art

I am who I am

Even though I do not look like you

We have the same traits

If you would only look beyond my hue

We are both intelligent creatures

Who learn differently

But it is only our identity

That causes disturbances significantly

The teachers won’t integrate their classes

Keeping the dominate culture developed

Reaching their full potential

While the majority are being set aside and labeled

We must educate the media to keep sexism out

As many are unseen in movies, commercials, and books

The persona dolls helps in providing a diversified look

Our hidden messages should be realized and faced

In order to witness other perspectives

We have to personify our identities

And learn through our ongoing self reflections

Why can’t we just let children be?

And teach them to the best of their ability

Engage, mentor, and inspire them

Isn’t that what makes a wholesome society

The nation's children are growing up in a nation and a world that is increasingly becoming more diverse.  Therefore, it is the educators who must prepare the students to understand how to interact and be sensitive to the collection of varied cultures  that they will encounter and impact them and their families.  We must constantly ask ourselves are we doing our part in making sure that all of the children we service are being met?

Terri M. Moore

"We Don't Say Those Words in Public"

     I can recall a time recently when my family and I were in the mall and I decided to stop at the makeup counter of a department store.  I was asking questions on a specific brand when I overheard a daughter (who was around 5 years old) asking her mom if the salesperson was a lady or man.  The mom ignored her mom initially, which only caused the child to continue on with the gender questioning of the salesperson.  Finally, at the persistent of the child, the mom angrily responded to the child that, “the “man” was there to help customers and should or could not be interrupted by blabbering children”.  The mother quickly walked away, tugging the child along, as she was clearly embarrassed by her child’s comment.

     The message being communicated to the child through this interaction was that it was not okay to question or try to retrieve answers based on their curiosity.  The child may have felt that it was not okay to talk openly, or at all, about differences that they witness daily causing them to possible have an internalized bias against people unlike those they are related to or familiar with.

     This would have been the perfect time for the parent to use this as a teachable moment, stayed calm and responded to the question without making a big deal of it.  Based on the physical features of the salesperson it was unclear as to the gender, so I certainly can identify with a child being doubtful.  Being that the mom did not want to address this in the store, I surely hope she attended to the inquisitiveness of her daughter in private as she openly discussed her uneasiness and feelings towards the subject while also finding an appropriate way and time to answer any and all questions.  Eric Hoffman (2010), a contributing writer, suggested that we adhere to the following guidelines when responding to children’s curiosity:

·         Listen, stay calm, and don’t make assumptions about the child

·         Listen for their feelings behind their words (is it just curiosity or discomfort).

·         Figure out exactly what the child wants to know and answer it by responding  matter-of-factly

·         Follow up either by conversation or activities

References:

Derman-Sparks, L., Edwards, J., Hoffman, E., (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.