Children learn
about racial stereotypes early and those biases can have damaging consequences. When
children become aware of bias against their race or ethnic group it may
have a profound effect on how they react to everyday situations.Racism is
prevalent today’s society. I am not personally experiencing it in my
interactions with others, but indirectly ,I am affected with all of the
different incidents involving African American 's in today's society. Racism is showing its
face in a variety of ways.
As an early childhood educator, I try my hardest not to let things that may impact me affect my daily interactions with the children. According to the Early Childhood Education Assembly (ECEA), "It is our duty and responsibility to educate children, who hold the key to the future, so that this kind of hatred and racism is no longer a possibility”( Statement about the Role of Early Childhood Education and Racism. n.d.). If racism shows its ugly face in the
classroom environment, I will channel any negativity or emotional feeling into
a positive teachable moment for children. Teachable moments are times when
something unexpected occurs and the teacher helps to guide the unexpected
occurrence into a positive learning experience.
Many diverse families come into our
programs. We do not agree or believe in the all the same things or do things
the same way. Don't let other people's perception of who you are impact or effect who you are as a teacher. One of our greatest attributes as teachers is the ability to set
aside our biases and ensure that we are doing everything possible to make sure
that children will be successful in the future.
References
Statement
about the Role of Early Childhood Education and Racism. (n.d.). Retrieved
October 01, 2016, from
http://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/early-child-educ-racism
Hello Anita, enjoyed reading,
ReplyDeleteBetween ages 5 and 11, the researchers found, children become aware that many people believe stereotypes, including stereotypes about academic ability, for example, how intelligent certain racial and ethnic groups are (Phys.org., 2009).” When children respond to bias and stereotype ways in regards to their racial or their ethnic group, it will affect how they behave or respond to everyday situations that they are faces with in their lives. These types of bias situation can be interacting with their peers, their family members, and other people they come in contact with. As educators, the need to have the educational policies as well, the comprehensive programs that will decrease stereotypes and the marks they leave behind early on in our children’s educational journey.
“Children grow up surrounded by misinformation about racial identity, confusing racial categories and terms, and contradictions between what people say and do (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p 79).” Such makes it hard for our children in their challenge to make sense of what the world is showing them, determining who they are within it all. As educators we have to pay attention to our children, we have to form lasting relationships with their parents and their families. The journey is to provide the tools such that gain respect, trust and safety of for our children and their families; that influences racial identities and behavior development for all children we teach. Children’s racial identities are shaped outside through their families and communities in which they live and the world around them. What we have to do is make sure that our children are safe, that they understand the confusing messages that they experience on a daily basis; the differences in their cultures and other cultures not of their own, and that there are similarities between both.
References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias education for young children and ourselves: Learning About Racial Identity & Fairness (Chap. 6. p 79). National Association for the Education of Young Children
Phys.org. (2009, November 13). Awareness of racism affects how children do socially and academically. Retrieved from: http://phys.org/news/2009-11-awareness-racism-affects-children-socially.html
"If racism shows its ugly face in the classroom environment, I will channel any negativity or emotional feeling into a positive teachable moment for children."
ReplyDeleteThis is basically the same exact thought I shared in my blog post. Of course the biases in our personal lives may sometimes show up in our professional lives, but I would choose to use in it a positive way, as you mentioned. I would make sure the biases that I am dealing with are biases my students understand, and hopefully I can teach them to be open-minded instead of having the same stereotypes. It is also vital that at the same time we are trying to be our true selves, we also consider that other families and cultures may have different beliefs and do things a different way, and that is okay.
References
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).
Hi Anita,
ReplyDeleteI have seen the face of racism within my own classroom among interactions of children with one another. I found it productive to get the two children together and tell each other what they like about the other. The outcome was very rewarding allowing the children to see the goodness of both races.
Yvonne
HI Anita,
ReplyDeleteThis blog is really important in relation to children and families. We must teach our children that everyone is human, and race it only a factor of diversity. The question I often ponder is how do we as an society teacher our children different than what society portrays. We are classified by race on application and other major documents. How do we teach our children the difference of race and prejudice, that race is just a classfication of where we come from and not who we are because we are human. I greatly believe this must be continously taught.