Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

We have learned how biases and stereotypes can turn into –isms, and how harmful –isms can be to a person’s well-being. We have learned the impact of cultural discontinuity in young children, but what about an adult, an early childhood professional, who experiences discontinuity and an –ism? How might this affect them and their work with children and families?

To answer this question, I imagined that I was a professional who is experiencing an –ism. If I were experiencing an –ism, I would unfortunately meet many people (including children and their families) who would hold untrue stereotypes and ideas about me, not respect me, and ultimately make me feel unwelcome. In this position, my work would be impacted because it would be very hard to foster relationships with the children and families I work with. When someone is experiencing an –ism, there is neither an equal balance of power nor respect so it would not be comfortable to speak openly or honestly, there would be many communication barriers. If I were not able to take pride in an aspect of myself (culture, religion, language, sexuality, disability, etc.  ), it would be hard to encourage children to take pride in themselves. If there were negative views about the way I dress, the holidays I celebrate, the foods I eat, or the words I speak, I would be hesitant to bring that part of myself into the classroom. Instead of teaching children and families the beauty of my culture and life, I may feel ashamed and unwilling to share it because of the fear of what children and families will say and think about me; I may be worried about losing my job if I say or do something they do not agree with.

While experiencing an –ism, I do not think that I would be living or working to my fullest potential, therefore, the children and families I work with would not be getting quality service or experiences from my program. I may begin to have negative feelings and attitudes, which in turn parents and children may pick up on; some may even believe in the stereotypes they've heard about “people like me” because I am not making an effort to get to know them and build a relationship with them.

As an early childhood professional, we are in the position to touch so many lives, to help so many children reach their full developmental potentials. However, if there is something that is impacting us negatively, such as an –ism, then we are not working our hardest and in turn, we are not creating a positive environment that can benefit and impact so many children.