What I Have Learned

Over these last few weeks, I have really learned a lot about what it means to become an anti-bias educator. I have learned that there is so much that shapes a child and his/her family, everyone that steps foot into our classrooms is unique and so we must constantly reflect and think about what we say, how we do things, and what we are teaching to keep up with and respect the diversity within our classrooms. 

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families from diverse backgrounds is that I can use the knowledge and skills that I have gained from this program and from my colleagues to welcome and embrace all children who step inside my classroom. I have learned a lot over these past few weeks-about society, about education, and about my self-and I hope that I can apply this to support the healthy growth and development of all children, regardless of their backgrounds. In addition, I hope that I can instill the importance of diversity in the children and families that I work with so that a positive message can be passed on.

One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field is to continue to push for equity,  teach all children that they are wonderful and help push them reach their highest potential. I would like to see the early childhood field continue to grow and support its members by providing training and tools, passing along knowledge and strategies for anti-bias education, and welcoming all families so that we can learn from them. This is not an easy task but if we can all share the knowledge and resources we have gained, then we are making a step in the right direction.

These last eight weeks went by so fast; I can’t believe how far along we are on our journey! I just want to say thank you to my colleagues who have shared their insights and experiences with me. I am grateful for all that you have shared, the knowledge I have gained from you, and the support you have given me. Best wishes to you all, I look forward to seeing you again in the new year!

Start Seeing Diversity: Creating Art

This week we were challenged to create a piece of art that illustrates what we have learned over these past weeks and throughout this program. I chose to write a poem:

As I Start to See Diversity

From the moment we are conceived

We are influenced by the outside and what those around us believe

While we are learning to sit, stand and walk

We are hearing the voices around us talk.

From others’ thoughts, actions and words

Discomforts and biases are taught and heard

We then start school and learn how to read and write our name

But we also learn about others-who is different and who is the same.

We begin watch TV and read books

We may start to see people give us looks

And through this our identities are formed

We learn what is “right” and what is the “norm.”

We may hear that we are worthless or that we are a star

These messages and experiences help shape who we are

We don’t often stop to question what we’ve “known” since birth

Not realizing our internalized oppressions, privileges, and sense of self-worth.

If we don’t take the time to stop, think, and reflect

We don't leave our comfort zone, we are only passing on the messages we unknowingly select

But if we learn to be open and think critically

Then we can learn to value and embrace ourselves and diversity.

The journey we have started is not easy and it is long

But we can find our places and help others belong

We can liberate ourselves and teach our children about diversity, respect, value, and caring

And hopefully one day these will be the messages the whole world is sharing.

Start Seeing Diversity: “You Don’t Need to Say That!”

I have heard many stories from parents about “embarrassing” things that their children have pointed out about other people and in my classroom I’ve had a few curious students ask questions about the diversity that they observe. One story in particular that stands out to me happened about 2 years ago at the preschool I work at. A lady came to visit the 3-year old classroom; she looked as though she was in her early 30s and a large portion of her hair was gray, the rest was black. One of our students, Bea, said “wow, that lady has two-colored hair.” My first response was to nod my head and say “shh” because I did not want to offend the lady. My co-teacher also heard the comment and said “let’s not talk about that now” I think that both of us were at a loss of the correct thing to say; our responses however communicated to Bea that there was something wrong with her observation. She said louder, this time to the visitor “did you know that you have two-colored hair?” My co-teacher said “Bea, you don’t need to say that!” Looking back, I can see that our responses were not the best-but fortunately the lady stepped in.

Our visitor came in front of the class and explained that her hair had started to turn gray when she was in high school and that she could not keep dyeing it so now she had two different shades of hair. Another student piped up and said “but you look like Cruella De Vil!” she smiled and explained that she did have two different colors of hair like Cruella De Vil but she was not like her and that she thought that having black and gray hair was a special part of her.

I was amazed at how the lady handled the situation and my co-teacher and I both thanked her at the end. She told us that she did not mind answering questions and talking about her hair, she knew it was different for people to see and that children were often curious about it; I think that this was really my first lesson in being open about differences and the idea that questions are ok. Hearing this lady’s response made me realize that it is only natural for children to ask questions and that it is our responses that turn the curiosity into a negative experience.

I think that an anti-bias educator would have handled the situation in the way that our visitor did-calmly acknowledge the difference and remind the students that everyone has different colored hair and follow up with a diversity lesson or activity later. It is sometimes hard because the things children say may embarrass us and so our first reaction is to silence them or to tell them that “we don’t say things like that” but this may make the child think that there is something wrong with their observation or the person that they are observing and we are teaching them not to discuss diversity. However, if we learn how to take a deep breath and handle situations and questions matter of factly and with honesty then we are helping support the child’s understanding of diversity and differences.