What I Have Learned

I am always amazed how much I learn from just one class, my colleagues and my teacher!  I feel more empowered after each class I take and my success is due to the conversations and feedback that I receive from my colleagues and instructor.  So thank you to my classmates and Dr. Klein for outstanding eye opening experiences that have empowered me even more to become a stronger leader in the early childhood field and provide more quality anti-bias education to my children and families that I serve.

My hope for the children and families that I serve is that I can continue to be open minded and never be close minded to other cultures and experiences families are experiencing.  I hope that my classroom can continue to be welcoming and able to embrace all differences.

My goal for the early childhood field concerning diversity, equity and social justice is to empower other early childhood educators to work together to become more aware and provide anti-bias education in their classrooms.  It is so important that we, as any educator, realize our biases and not necessarily be in agreement with each other but be on the same page as to what anti-bias education should look like for our children.

Below you will find a YouTube video from Kid President.  I love watching him because he is a kid who has a lot of wisdom to share and I think we, as adults, need to listen to kids more.  I hope you enjoy his Pep Talk and remember that "We are all a team" and "We were born to be awesome (YouTube, 2013)!"                 

Thank you again for the opportunity to be enlightened by your insights and experiences!  May you have continued success on your journeys!

Nicolette


                    

References

 

YouTube.  (2013).  Kid President:  Pep Talk.  Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=l-gQLqv9f4o

Music Speaks to All of Us!

When I was younger and experiencing my parents' divorce, I turned to music as an outlet and a talent that I was able to excel in.  I started to play the violin in 4th grade and continued through my freshman year in college.  I also sang in the chorus throughout my school years and continue to this day singing in church choirs and my classroom.  Music can be soothing, empowering and help us to connect to each other in ways that are unimaginable. 

We acquired a piano two years ago from an auction.  I have always wanted a piano and my children were wanting one as well.  Although I have never had formal piano lessons, I can plunk out notes being able to read music.  My oldest daughter has taught herself to play with both hands in both keys with the foot pedals.  My husband, who did not want the burden of having a piano, has even sat down to play and has expressed to me how much he loves listening to our children play.  In our house, our motto with our children is "Music is not an option, it is a required field."

Music is one of the best gifts you can share with someone!  So in the spirit of giving, I give you the music video below which is entitled "Imagine" redone by Playing for Change with clips from John Lennon.  Playing for Change is an organization created by musicians all over the world making music together by breaking down barriers, such as distance and prejudices, that separate us.  Playing for Change hopes to bring more music into the world by bringing music and instruments to children everywhere.  Playing for Change sees the value of music as a way to inspire peace, encourage others to celebrate diversity, and share commonalities.  I hope that you enjoy the video but also check out the Playing for Change website.  I hope that when you find out what musical talents you possess, you share your gifts with the world!    

Playing for Change website:  http://www.playingforchange.com/about/



 

References

 

Playing for Change. (2010).  Imagine.  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?

 

          v=bvFLKyAGzzI

 

 



We Don't Say Those Words in Our Classroom

Negative conversation between a child and an adult concerning biases.
Child:  "Why are you brown skinned?"
Teacher:  screaming at child "That is totally inappropriate and you do not ever say that to anyone!  Do you understand me?"
*This was an actual conversation that took place between a child in my class and a co-worker.  I ended up having the child stand behind me while I tried to calm my co-worker down.  I also made sure I engaged in a calm conversation with the child after my co-worker left to talk about any questions he might have had.

Positive conversation between a child and an adult concerning biases.
Child:  "He took that train away from me."
Teacher:  "Who took the train away from you?"
Child:  "That white boy and brown boy over there."
Teacher:  "Let's go over there and see who you are talking about."
*This conversation actually took place in my classroom and although I knew who the child was talking about, I made sure to take the child over to the area where the children were playing and review the children's names with the child that came over.

Negative conversation between a child and an adult concerning biases.
Child:  "That kid looks weird." (Noticing a child having difficulty walking and using a walker)
Parent:  "I know. Just ignore her."
*I actually heard this conversation in the grocery store and it bothered me that the parent did not take the time to have a more positive conversation with the child.

Positive conversation between a child and an adult concerning biases.
Child:  "What is that girl sitting in?"
Teacher:  "The girl is sitting in a wheelchair."
Child:  "Why does she need to sit in a wheelchair?"
Teacher:  "Sometimes she has trouble walking and needs to use the wheelchair to get around."
*This conversation actually occurred in my classroom when a first grade student came to visit our classroom.  She has difficulty walking for long periods of time and often needs a wheelchair or walker.

Oftentimes children, especially young children, say things that adults find offensive. In retrospect, the children are speaking the truth through their observations and are seeking more information about the situation (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010).  Children do not always have the words and/or understanding to comprehend other's differences (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010). So as adults and educators we need to take advantage of conversations with children regarding biases and use those conversations as opportunities to help our children better understand other's differences as well as how we are all similar (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010).

What a wonderful world it would be if children and adults could have more positive interactions about diversity!



                     

References

 

Armstrong, L. (1967).  What A Wonderful World.  Retrieved from

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5TwT69i1lU

 

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

             

            ourselves.  Washington, DC: NAEYC.