My hopes and dreams

I have a hope that teachers learn to treat all children to same as it relate to having diverse backgrounds. I hope that one day there will be classrooms that are not non-bias. I want all children to learn based on what they know and not who they know and where they come from. I also want all educator to become passionate about early children and have a desire to help all children.

One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice would be for all early childhood professionals, families and adults to understand and accept differences, promote cultural awareness and promote equity which in turn will help children achieve a positive sense of themselves and of others. Our role as parents, adults, family members and early childhood professionals is to protect and value all children in their settings, foster empathy and provide accurate information about differences to enable children to think critically about and challenge bias. Diversity and equality issues affect everyone, so we must support all children in their development and be positive role models by speaking against injustice, and as we do this -we are teaching them to stand up against discrimination, bias, and racial prejudice which will encourage them to treat others with respect, kindness and love. 

I have truly enjoyed this course and my perspectives on diversity has grown tremendously and I am now more aware and knowledgeable of the affects in my community.

Start Seeing Diversity

The following pictures helps me  to understand what I have learned in this course. I learned about biases and how they can affect our life. Diversity and how important to realize that differences and similiaries makes us who we are. And understanding that we can sometimes have those biases that we are not even aware of.

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

I think that teachers can  gain knowledge, change attitudes, and develop skills to work effectively with children with "differences ?" Unfortunately, "quick-fix" answers do not exist; however, educators can take deliberate steps toward accepting others and their differences. Knowledge can be gained through reading and attending workshops that teach about culture and language. Attitudes can be changed by thoughtfully considering stereotypes and misconception of their culture. Ultimately, however, a change in attitudes requires firsthand contact with people individually or in small groups. Skills can be developed through books. Books play an important role in helping children learn about how difference is not a bad thing.

While at the Grand Buffet recently, my son starred really hard at a lady who was dwarf and he used a word that my mom would have hit me in the lip for and I did just that. Parents should discuss what is acceptable behavior and what is not in public or private places with their children. We need to teach children what words to use and what words can hurt others feelings.