“We Don’t Say Those Words in Class!”
Concern about addressing differences arises from mistaken
notion of the sources of bias. It is not differences in themselves that cause
the problems, but how people respond to differences (Pelo, 2008).
When a child sees someone that is different from what he or she is use to seeing in their young life, most respond to the situation differently, for example, a child may point at the person or object that the child finds strange. Sometimes, a child yell out what he or she sees that is unique or different, and do not understand that yelling out is wrong. When a child who completely staring out of shock because he or she does not understand “Why” the person is different from them.
When my grandson responding by pointing, the first thing I tell him that it is not polite. I also explain to him, why it is not polite to point at anyone for any reasons. However, the most important area of explaining to my grandson is to be careful of the words that he may use when talking about the person that is different because the words can hurt or destroy a person’s feeling.
Some adults let a child’s behavior speaks for their curiosity by pointing. There are some adults who also let a child speaks out about the diversity, but do not explain why it is wrong for the child not to comment in front of the person, for example, he is a small man or he has no legs. This is wrong for a child to bring attention to the person that is different. Then there are some adults that overlook, deny, or ignore the whole situation of what the child is experiencing when she or he is seeing when someone that is different is around.
As an anti-bias educator the ways to respond to a child’s (or classroom’s) understanding:
Do not dismiss children’s expression of anxiety, fear, or rejection of disabilities.
Plan learning experiences to counter misconception.
Help all children find ways to learn from each other. Through your actions as well as your words, always convey the message that although we are all different, we all contribute (Derman-Sparks & Edward, 2010).
When a child sees someone that is different from what he or she is use to seeing in their young life, most respond to the situation differently, for example, a child may point at the person or object that the child finds strange. Sometimes, a child yell out what he or she sees that is unique or different, and do not understand that yelling out is wrong. When a child who completely staring out of shock because he or she does not understand “Why” the person is different from them.
When my grandson responding by pointing, the first thing I tell him that it is not polite. I also explain to him, why it is not polite to point at anyone for any reasons. However, the most important area of explaining to my grandson is to be careful of the words that he may use when talking about the person that is different because the words can hurt or destroy a person’s feeling.
Some adults let a child’s behavior speaks for their curiosity by pointing. There are some adults who also let a child speaks out about the diversity, but do not explain why it is wrong for the child not to comment in front of the person, for example, he is a small man or he has no legs. This is wrong for a child to bring attention to the person that is different. Then there are some adults that overlook, deny, or ignore the whole situation of what the child is experiencing when she or he is seeing when someone that is different is around.
As an anti-bias educator the ways to respond to a child’s (or classroom’s) understanding:
Do not dismiss children’s expression of anxiety, fear, or rejection of disabilities.
Plan learning experiences to counter misconception.
Help all children find ways to learn from each other. Through your actions as well as your words, always convey the message that although we are all different, we all contribute (Derman-Sparks & Edward, 2010).
Reference:
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Pelo, A. (Ed.) (2008). Rethinking early childhood education. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools.
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Pelo, A. (Ed.) (2008). Rethinking early childhood education. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools.
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