Tuesday, April 20, 2010
What can educators do to help children learn more about different types of famillies and diversity?
As I read, Rethinking Early Childhood Education on p. 177-182 "Heather's Moms Got Married." The author talked about a subject the children were interested in learning about, which was different types of marriages and families such as, white and brown people, gay or lesbian marriages, and having two moms and two dads. She also mentioned family diversity. How do you feel about mixed marriages and families? I feel that everyone comes from different life styles and people should have the right to do what makes them or others happy. I enjoyed reading about the different activities and ideas for children who are learning about stereotypes on gender differences. Some activities that I found interesting would be having the children share and display their family stories and pictures, and by making a class book of the boys and girls drawings as they engage in non-stereotypical behaviors. When is it appropriate to teach children about stereotypes on gender differences? I recently experienced four children playing in the dramatic play area where they were playing house. One child wanted to be the baby, another child wanted to be the sister, and two other girls both wanted to be the mommy, However one of the children said, "their can only be one mommy" and another child said, "you can be the daddy" that child didn't want to be the daddy, so she told one of the teachers that she wanted to be the mommy too. The teacher told them that they both can be mommy's. Then they both decided to be the mommy and went to look for another child to be the daddy.
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Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteGood topic, how can we teach children about diversity families? Children's dramatic play can be very creative and innocent about their daily life exposure? Have you encountered any lesbian or gay parents? How did you include/involve them in the classroom? How far can you introduce them to the other parents if there's open-house or parent night?
These days are different and with that in mind, we too, have to change what we teach and how we approach subjects as sensitive as gay/lesbian family structures. They are part of our schools just as much as any other family. Should the administration or government produce some sort of training to help educators present it to children & families when this subject arises? That way we don't offend anyone or say more than we should? Just as we have training on learning and physical disabilities and culture sensitivity, I think this should be done as well?
ReplyDeleteAloha Dawn,
ReplyDeleteAs educators, we definitely work with many families from different backgrounds no matter what program we're in. The children in our programs encounter many situations and issues that can be both sensitive and at times, controversial. How do we work out these issues with children? Can we teach them to love others no matter who they are or where they come from?
Hi Dawn!
ReplyDeleteThis week's reading was a great reminder of how children aren't always raised by a mother and a father. In your classroom how do you teach children about family diversity?
In the reading, I like how the author pointed out how some children are raised by step-parents. It's not a surprise, as family structures today are very different.
As educators, we need to be supportive and focus on building good relationships with them. Although this task can be hard if they don't want to share information with us. Have you ever experienced this scenario before?
-suzanne
Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteThe scenario you depict in your classroom regarding the children taking on different gender roles is something to think about as teachers. Why do you think these children felt safe to take gender roles which may not be typical? Does it relate to how teachers create the environment? Or is it based on the relationships between children and teacher? or between family and school? Does creating the classroom as a safe space give children and families the chance to experiment and develop their true identity?
Jeanne
HI!
ReplyDeleteThese are great topics that we all should be aware of. I believe we do need to teach children that families are different in many great ways. I really like idea on how dramatic play can help children understand about different families. Children can see some families has two moms or two dads. Another great activity children can do is drawing their family and present the different kinds of families.
But what would happen if parents don't like being open with different types of families? What if parents don't want their children be exposed to same sex marriages? What can we do to help families with same sex marriages?
Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question! We as educators have to be supportive and be aware of this issue. Family structures in America are vary. I was born and raised in Japan, so when I came to Hawaii, I was surprised to know about step father/mother, extended family, foster family, and single mother/father. To be honest with you, I was shocked to see gay/lesbian couples walking with holding hands in public. Sometimes they hug, kiss, or cuddle in front of me. But I did not feel there was anything wrong. Everyone can show a different style of love. Everything was difficult for me to adjust and accept. Food, fashion, cultural things, and same-sex couples.... But I believe that teachers have to be supportive and flexible for the next generations!
Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great topic for us. It seems to be one of the sensitive subjects for disscussion. If we are so fortunate to have such diversity why is it difficult to approach homosexual partnerships? What could we do to support our families? Are our other families ready for this topic to be discussed? What affects might this topic have on other families?
Many children are used to a family situation that includes one mom and one dad, so it’s not surprising when a child says “there can be only one mommy” during dramatic play. Whether a teacher makes a suggestion that there could be two mommies or the children make the decision without any intervention, there doesn’t seem to be continued protest about having only one mom. Just the other day, four of the girls at the program where I work were playing in the dramatic play area and decided that their “family” was going to have two mommies, a sister, and an uncle. Unless someone tells a child that they can’t be or do something, or that a certain way of being or living is not acceptable, children think that anything can be possible and seem to be capable of accepting people’s differences.
ReplyDeleteI recently experienced something similar to the situation in your setting with the two children wanting to be the Mommy. In the housekeeping center there were three girls who wanted to be the Mommy so instead of having another friend be the children they used the baby dolls and were all the Mommies. I do not think this is an example of them showing lesbian-like actions but I was impressed by their willingness to comprise their family of three Mommies. A lot of times I hear children say things like you can’t be the Mommy, because I’m already the Mommy.
ReplyDeleteI really liked you activity of having the children make a display of their families. This can send such a positive message to children and their families. It shows them that all families are important and different. If children can see that there are so many different kinds of families they are more likely to be accepting of differences in the future.