My one hope in regards to working with children and families of diverse backgrounds is that they are able to access services without being limited by the attitudes, biases, or opinions of those they work with. I hope to be a leader in such anti-bias work through my growing ability to provide this level of service.
One goal I have for the early childhood field is that it becomes the foundation from which children and families can grow and thrive in our communities. An anti-bias early childhood field may provide that structure for families, be a model for other fields of service, and support a future generation where prejudice and oppression has diminished.
Thank you to my course instructor and colleagues for your thoughts and contributions this semester! Best of luck as you continue your journey in the early childhood field!
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Welcoming Families from Around the World
I have been notified that a new family has moved to the area from Nepal and their toddler and preschooler are enrolling at my child care center. As director I will work closely with the teachers in the children's new classrooms in order to be prepared to be culturally responsive towards the family:
1. A family culture survey is included as part of our enrollment packet. The children's teachers and I will review the survey to learn about the families' primary language, the makeup of their household, and other initial information.
2. We will attend a home visit welcoming the family to our community and center. At the home visit we will discuss any concerns that the family has, learn about their family resources, and discuss the center and our policies in order to assist the family is transitioning to our setting.
3. We will invite the family to attend an orientation appointment at the center. On this day the parents and children are able to meet other families who are dropping children off and/or occupying the Family Resource Room. They family will be able to observe in the classroom while their children participate in portions of the day. The family will have the opportunity to interact with other children who attend the center.
4. We will invite the family to contribute to our One Big Family wall by providing us with a picture (or allowing us to take their picture), lending items from home that represent their culture and traditions, or directing us to online resources that we could print off and display.
5. The teachers and I will continue to connect with the family on a regular basis to maintain open lines of communication and continue to learn ways we might reflect their family culture in the environment at the center.
These preparations will benefit the new family and all of the families and staff at the center by encouraging open communication. Every child will have the opportunity to feel important and to feel a sense of belonging, and these steps will help the new children see their family being welcomed and respected as important members of our setting.
1. A family culture survey is included as part of our enrollment packet. The children's teachers and I will review the survey to learn about the families' primary language, the makeup of their household, and other initial information.
2. We will attend a home visit welcoming the family to our community and center. At the home visit we will discuss any concerns that the family has, learn about their family resources, and discuss the center and our policies in order to assist the family is transitioning to our setting.
3. We will invite the family to attend an orientation appointment at the center. On this day the parents and children are able to meet other families who are dropping children off and/or occupying the Family Resource Room. They family will be able to observe in the classroom while their children participate in portions of the day. The family will have the opportunity to interact with other children who attend the center.
4. We will invite the family to contribute to our One Big Family wall by providing us with a picture (or allowing us to take their picture), lending items from home that represent their culture and traditions, or directing us to online resources that we could print off and display.
5. The teachers and I will continue to connect with the family on a regular basis to maintain open lines of communication and continue to learn ways we might reflect their family culture in the environment at the center.
These preparations will benefit the new family and all of the families and staff at the center by encouraging open communication. Every child will have the opportunity to feel important and to feel a sense of belonging, and these steps will help the new children see their family being welcomed and respected as important members of our setting.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression
I have witnessed bias and prejudice online.
I recently experienced a family member's oppressive comments on Facebook. This family member was making comments aimed at Muslim people.
His comments were Christian-centric and quite hurtful. They diminished equity by taking the stand that America is for English speaking Christians, and anyone else can "go back to where they came from."
As a non-Christian, I often feel the pain of comments like these, even though they are not being directed at me. I also have Muslim friends who are extremely important to me. The combination of feeling offended on behalf of my Muslim friends and feeling the impact of the comments myself made me quite furious.
I decided to act at the time. I commented on the thread, "I AM A MUSLIM." I wanted to show my family member and his friends that it is very possible that they were making comments about people they know and care about.
I don't believe the individuals making these hurtful comments have meaningful relationships with a diverse group. In order to create an equitable environment on Facebook these individuals might need to experience different perspectives in order to understand that theirs is not the norm, the standard, the correct, or the only way see the world.
I recently experienced a family member's oppressive comments on Facebook. This family member was making comments aimed at Muslim people.
His comments were Christian-centric and quite hurtful. They diminished equity by taking the stand that America is for English speaking Christians, and anyone else can "go back to where they came from."
As a non-Christian, I often feel the pain of comments like these, even though they are not being directed at me. I also have Muslim friends who are extremely important to me. The combination of feeling offended on behalf of my Muslim friends and feeling the impact of the comments myself made me quite furious.
I decided to act at the time. I commented on the thread, "I AM A MUSLIM." I wanted to show my family member and his friends that it is very possible that they were making comments about people they know and care about.
I don't believe the individuals making these hurtful comments have meaningful relationships with a diverse group. In order to create an equitable environment on Facebook these individuals might need to experience different perspectives in order to understand that theirs is not the norm, the standard, the correct, or the only way see the world.
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