Week 8 Perspectives and Diversity

• One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds would be that I can make them feel welcome, comfortable, and open with me in order to assist them in any way that I can, and to help their child succeed. I believe that if families know I support them, we will have a stronger, open relationship.

• One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice

A goal for the early childhood field would be that in terms of diversity, equity, and social justice, we do our best to advocate and share our knowledge of diversity for all of the families we serve. I think that if more people understand diversity and learn to accept others' differences, we will be on the path to a better and more compassionate world.

• A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

Thank you to everyone for all of your discussions, questions, comments, thoughts, ideas... I have learned something from each of you along the way through reading what you share! I also appreciate when you respond and discuss things with me, because I learn so much more that way! Thanks again! Good Luck in your next course, I hope to see you there!

Welcoming Families from Around the World: India

Country: India

Ways in which I will prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards the family:

1.      Through the internet and the ELL teachers in my school, I will gather information about their country

2.      Hold a conference with an interpreter, and ask questions to get to know the family

3.      Ensure that I respect the family’s answers to the questions I ask.

4.      Try to include their culture and lifestyle, (ie holidays, celebrations, daily routines, etc) through teaching about various cultures and lifestyles. I may even ask that they share information or possibly come speak to my class.

5.      Do my best to communicate the importance of them maintaining their home language and home cultures or lifestyle, as it will help their child identify themselves as they grow and develop and learn some of the English language.

6.      Ask the child and family to share some of their language with me, so that I can use it in class with the child and teach other children as well.

7.      Possibly introduce them to a family or someone who can help them locate other people who are culturally and linguistically similar.

My hopes are that these preparations will help make the family and child feel more welcomed and comfortable in our area, in our school, and in my classroom. I also hope that it will help open that communication door and make them feel as if I am here to help and that I respect them. I couldn’t imagine moving to a new country where I have to basically start from scratch, learning the language so that I can read signs and things in my surroundings, as well as find a home, get a job, or as a child go to school and make all new friends who speak a language or behave in ways that I may not understand. In being culturally responsive I believe it’s important to ensure that you do your best to get to know the family’s culture and lifestyle, in order to build a strong and stable relationship.

One Day We'll All Have Perfect Wings... Don't Laugh at Me

Don’t Laugh at Me – Mark Wills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVjbo8dW9c8#aid=P9B2ENTXac4

·         What memory do you have of an incident when you experienced bias, prejudice, and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice, and/or oppression? Keep in mind that one can encounter such incidents in real contexts, including online environments, as well as in fictional ones, such as movies, books, television shows, and the like.

I have always had a soft place in my heart for children with impairments. I’ll never forget growing up how people used the word “retard” so freely. It makes me sick and puts a sour taste on my tongue just typing it. I used to cry heavily when other kids would make fun of students in our class who had impairments. I always think of the song “Don’t laugh at me” by Mark Wills, and I cry my eyes out every time I hear it. I can’t even discuss this with someone without tearing up.

·         In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?

These children were made fun of and treated differently because of their impairment(s) which kept them from doing some things that other children could do or behaving in a way that other children didn’t behave. They were excluded, harassed, and tormented because of their "differences".

·         What feelings did this incident bring up for you?

I have always felt extremely sad and heartbroken for children and people who are laughed at and made fun of because they have impairments. To me, it is sickening that someone would make fun of another person, let alone someone who has impairments that they were born with or developed unwillingly. Every person is so special and there’s no reason to torment others because they are “different” in your eyes.

·         What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?

I think that others' opinions and perspectives on diversity would have to change in order for great equity to take place. People need to learn to be more empathetic and understanding, as well as comprehend the devastation and scars that they can cause by making fun of or harassing someone else.

Don’t Laugh at Me – Mark Wills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVjbo8dW9c8#aid=P9B2ENTXac4