Creating Art

Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010) discussed how there are four main goals of an anti-bias education. One of my main goals as an educator is to provide a classroom where children will be appreciated, valued, and empowered. Another goal is that I hope to support my students and their families.

 

 

 Diversity:

I chose this picture because valuing diversity is very important to me as an educator and as a parent. We should respect and appreciate others for their differences. Our children, students, and the people we come in contact with should know that we value them.  

Love and Support:

I chose this picture because you can sense that each person is supporting the other. We need to support others for their differences and their experiences.  We can never truly understand where another person is coming from or the things they have experienced. We can however offer others love and support. I want to reach out to my children, my students, and their families and offer them compassion and support.   

Diverse Classroom:

I chose this picture to demonstrate the importance of a diverse classroom. When we value each other, then our students are going to be happy and feel empowered. They are going to reach out and support each other.

 

Celebrating Diversity:

When we celebrate diversity, then we are going to be united and peaceful. My hope is that people will open their eyes, realize their words and actions impact others, and learn to value each other. I hope to empower my students by celebrating diversity in my classroom.

References:

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

Clipart -

http://garrison-michigan.army.mil/sites/EEO/diversity.htm

 http://www.humanitysteam.org/node/2371

 http://www.allfie.org.uk/pages/hfi.html

 http://www.teachersofcolor.com/2009/04/incorporating-cultural-diversity-in-the-classroom/

 

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class"

One time I overheard a conversation between a mother and her daughter in a grocery story. The mother and daughter had just passed by a boy who walked with a leg brace. The girl asked her mother “why does he walk funny?” The mother told her “Shhh! You are being rude”. The little girl looked as if she had done something horribly wrong. One message the mother was sending to the girl was that it was wrong to ask questions about something she was curious about. The mother was also sending the message that there was something wrong with the boy, because she did not address the child's question. Often times we can send negative messages by not addressing the situation.

 

An anti-bias educator/parent could have handled this situation in many ways where it would support the child’s understanding. One way is to recognize that the child is just curious. An anti-bias educator would respond to the child’s question with something like “that is just the way he was born. He walks different, because his legs are a little different than yours. He has to wear a brace to help him walk.” An anti-bias educator would research with the child/children about the boy’s condition and/or others who walk with a brace (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011).  I also feel an anti-bias educator would use puppets to help children engage in discussion. Children are curious and just want to understand things better. We need to respond to questions/comments children may have in order to help them gain understanding in a positive way. We want them to understand that everyone is different in their own way, but we all have ways we are alike. We want children to learn to appreciate each other for these similarities and differences.

 

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Start Seeing Diversity [DVD]. Physical Ability and Characteristics. MD: Author.