One hope I have for working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that I can always learn something new to broaden my knowledge about the world. I want families to feel comfortable when interacting with me and I hope by showing a desire to learn about them and their culture, a wonderful relationship will develop.
One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field that is related to issues of diversity, equity and social justice is for every educator, child care provider, administrator, director, and parent to develop an awareness of their perspective and attitude when they think about people from diverse backgrounds and become enlightened enough by that process to desire to become more open-minded about others different than they are and share those thoughts with children. Children need positive statements about persons coming from a different background from as many role models in their life as possible.
I would like to thank my colleagues for great interaction during the past eight weeks. I feel we have grown to know each other even better than before. I wish you all well during the remaining classes of your program.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
Welcoming Families From Around the World
The country I chose to have my new family come from is Croatia. In preparing for their arrival to my room I will:
1. Read up on the history and current events of the country to learn about issues the citizens have faced in the past and current issues they are experiencing.
2. Find out the religions practiced in the country and how I might need to accommodate the family's religious preferences .
3. Search the community to see if other Croatian families live here and talk with them about cultural practices and beliefs.
4. Invite any community members from Croatia, or surrounding countries, to come into the class and talk to the children.
5. Ask community members from Croatia, or surrounding countries, if they would be willing to be a liaison to the new family as they settle into their new life.
I feel these preparations will give me the base knowledge of the family's country of origin and will give me ideas of how to include their country into the room environment. A community member as a liaison may help with any language translation that may be necessary and will give the family someone they can rely on for any questions or directions they may have. Taking these steps will prepare me by increasing my global knowledge and possibly learn some basic vocabulary to use when welcoming the family.
1. Read up on the history and current events of the country to learn about issues the citizens have faced in the past and current issues they are experiencing.
2. Find out the religions practiced in the country and how I might need to accommodate the family's religious preferences .
3. Search the community to see if other Croatian families live here and talk with them about cultural practices and beliefs.
4. Invite any community members from Croatia, or surrounding countries, to come into the class and talk to the children.
5. Ask community members from Croatia, or surrounding countries, if they would be willing to be a liaison to the new family as they settle into their new life.
I feel these preparations will give me the base knowledge of the family's country of origin and will give me ideas of how to include their country into the room environment. A community member as a liaison may help with any language translation that may be necessary and will give the family someone they can rely on for any questions or directions they may have. Taking these steps will prepare me by increasing my global knowledge and possibly learn some basic vocabulary to use when welcoming the family.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression
An Incident of Bias, Prejudice, or Oppression
I'm sad to say that a conversation I had with my mother recently revealed some biased comments from her. She was talking about a news segment she had seen where the local Salvation Army was giving out backpacks filled with school supplies to the children who needed them. She unfortunately stated that most of them were black. I'm sure the story was about the help available with the high cost of going back to school but my mother had to point out the color of the skin the majority of children receiving the supplies had. It was an unnecessary comment to the new story.
This comment diminished equity because I'm sure the Salvation Army did not discriminate against anyone who showed up for the backpacks but were happy to offer assistance to any family needing it. My mother, with her comment, was not seeing the bigger picture-that children needing supplies were getting them-but went to specific lengths to point out their race.
The comment left me feeling disappointed but I then realized I had heard comments like this all the time I was growing up, but mostly from my father. It is through this class that I have learned crucial information so that I can monitor my thoughts and words to avoid making a similar comment.
I will need to have a discussion with my mom about her comment and share with her my thoughts on equity for children. Then, maybe she will be able to look at other similar new stories with a new viewpoint.
I'm sad to say that a conversation I had with my mother recently revealed some biased comments from her. She was talking about a news segment she had seen where the local Salvation Army was giving out backpacks filled with school supplies to the children who needed them. She unfortunately stated that most of them were black. I'm sure the story was about the help available with the high cost of going back to school but my mother had to point out the color of the skin the majority of children receiving the supplies had. It was an unnecessary comment to the new story.
This comment diminished equity because I'm sure the Salvation Army did not discriminate against anyone who showed up for the backpacks but were happy to offer assistance to any family needing it. My mother, with her comment, was not seeing the bigger picture-that children needing supplies were getting them-but went to specific lengths to point out their race.
The comment left me feeling disappointed but I then realized I had heard comments like this all the time I was growing up, but mostly from my father. It is through this class that I have learned crucial information so that I can monitor my thoughts and words to avoid making a similar comment.
I will need to have a discussion with my mom about her comment and share with her my thoughts on equity for children. Then, maybe she will be able to look at other similar new stories with a new viewpoint.
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