Communication

I had the opportunity to observe a child and an adult while I was shopping in Walmart. I saw the child and the adult several times while I was shopping. The child appeared to be not listening to the adult several times.  The child and the adult ended up being in the same checkout lane. They were having a conversation about a toy the child wanted. I noticed the child was approximately four or five years of age.   This child has some good negotiating skills. She reminded me of my girls.  I couldn’t help but laugh and smile at the situation. The adult keep going back and forth with this child. The child was not taking no for an answer. The child started to through a temper tantrum.  The adult stood firm on her decision and talked to the child in a calm voice.  She was a little to calm in my opinion.  Everyone was looking at the child by this point. She told the child to get off the floor, and she wasn’t buying the toy.  However, she did give the child an opportunity to explain why she felt like she deserved the toy. The adult then explained to the child that if she was considering buying the toy her tantrum definitely changed her mind.

The whole conversation between the adult and the child was very interesting.  She allowed the child to plead her case, and she listened despite the tantrum.  I felt like it was effective because it was teaching the child that her thoughts and what she had to say was important. I feel like children should be able to express themselves to a certain point.  However, I don’t do tantrums at all and that doesn’t get you anything.  I believe the adult made the child feel important by allowing her to plead her case. I do applaud the adult for not giving in to the tantrum. The adult’s response was a great example of affirmed communication.

I grew up in a household where children should be seen and not heard. I wouldn’t dare have a tantrum over not getting a toy, or my mom would spank me in the store. While observing the adult and child communicating, I reflected on the way I communicate with the children in my class.  I always allow my children to explain a situation.  I also teach them that every situation will not make them happy.  They will not always get what they want, but by discussing the problem they will realize the answer is the best solution for the situation. I am a good listener at times. I always say I have selective hearing.  I can improve my listening skills with my children. It’s hard trying to listen to several children at one time without interruptions. I am learning slowly but surely.

Creating Affirming Environments

It’s very important to create learning environments that reflect the diversity of the children and families we work with.  It’s equally important to expand and deepen the understanding and respect for diversity. The understanding of diversity helps promote strong family-teacher relationships.  My vision for an anti-bias child care center would be one that displays diversity throughout the center as well as in the curriculum.  The creation of affirming environments are important because it will make all families feel welcomed.  At the beginning of the year the children would do a project titled my family and me.  They would use a poster board/construction paper to put pictures of them and their family. This project would be displayed around the classroom to represent all the families.  There would be pictures of Good Morning, Please, and Thank You in different languages posted around the classroom to represent family diversity.  To help understand different cultures, I would invite family members for a show and tell day at school.  I would also sets up days to do food tastings from around the world to show the different cultures presented in the class.  There would be pictures of all ethnic backgrounds posted around the classroom.  There would also be a wall that has different words and phrases in several languages.  The dramatic play/housekeeping area would have dolls of different ethnic backgrounds.  It would also have common items that different cultures use.  The book/literacy area would have pictures and words that reflect different cultures.  This area would also have books representing different cultures.  These books would be used to celebrate different ethnicities in the month they occur.  The play accessories would be universal.  I wouldn’t want any that depict a particular culture.  I would also like to celebrate a different culture each month by having a potluck with food exclusive to that culture.  The curriculum would cover various activities and have music in different languages.  The students would also learn numbers in Spanish during math time.  The steps toward anti-bias education will constantly mean the center will have to try new things to meet the diverse needs of learners.  However, every step in the right direction will bring me closer to pushing more people to become anti-bias educators.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

What I Have Learned

When I think about working with children and families from diverse background we have to be receptive to learning about different cultures, diversity, and be open and willing to help wherever needed.  If we are not given the opportunity to understand diversity, we will always have the same mindset. We have to make sure the curriculum displays diversity. We have to be willing to make the transition for families in early childhood education a little easier.

My goal I would like to set for the early childhood field is I want people to understand that equity and social justice are reachable goals when people are given the opportunity to understand diversity.  I was reading an article and the author asked “What does it mean to have a deep understanding of diversity, equity, and social justice?” I personally believe it means going beyond the surface to find out how diversity, equity, and social justice affect people around us. As you get to know a person on a deeper level, you get a better understanding of who they really are. If we don’t get to know a person beyond the surface, we will never learn about their culture or issues that affect them personally.  If we don’t take the time to get to know a person, we will continue to stereotype and prejudge.  This way of thinking will never get us to being open about issues that affect diversity, equity, and social justice.  We must change our mindset in order to see change.

I would like to thank my colleagues for providing helpful insights each week on the topics discussed.  This really helped me see some things from a different perspective.  I wish each of you much success on your future endeavors.  I am sure we will meet again.  Take care!