As I read, Rethinking Early Childhood Education from p. 3-6 "What Color is Beautiful?" the author talked about her Kindergarten class and a child named Ernesto who is Spanish. He didn't like his skin color because he wanted to be white. The author also discussed her experience on teaching children about skin color. For example, she read children stories that related to her topic such as, "The Ugly Duckling" and "Nina Bonita" those stories both discussed the issue about changing the way you look and feel. What are some appropriate and inappropriate ways that preschool teachers can do to discuss race and culture to young children? Some appropriate ways could be like the text explained, reading children stories that can relate to multiculturalism, using puppets of different cultures, sing songs, role play or using photo's etc. Some inappropriate ways would be stereotyping etc. We haven't really experienced a child who didn't like the color of their skin or the way they look. However, if we do experience this I feel that it's important to observe the child.
While I was reading "Why an Anti-Bias Curriculum?" the author talked about children and how they should appreciate who they are because everyone is unique. I feel that it's important for children to learn from an anti-bias curriculum because it may help them to understand more about cultural diversity and gender.
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Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI wonder how discussion of stereotypes might offer a rich experience for children. For example, what if children created a list of all the things they believe based on race and then these beliefs became a means for discussion. Could this discussion help children to see beyond their own biases? If these kinds of discussions occur in early childhood classrooms, what might change about current and future interactions with people? Is this an important part of learning how to be in the world?
Jeanne
Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI think creating an anti-bias curriculum is great. I also think sometimes it is difficult. Making sure your bias and judgements are kept to yourself. Children tend to do as they see. In our classroom we talk all the time... about different things and when I hear things being said about other children I bring it up at circle and we talk about why it is okay to be, look, and feel different. Usually this curves the behavior but I think it also gives relief to the child being talked about. What would happen in there were no boundries to what children say? How would their self-esteem be affected?
Hi Dawn!
ReplyDeleteTalking about race and different cultures could be very touches to some students and their parents. What is appropriate or inappropriate, I found one way to teach my students about race and different cultures. Make it fun and interesting! I would use animal characters like a cat family line. I found out, this is one easy way for my students to understand the different type of people in this world without making them feeling uncomfortable about themselves.
Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteReading you posting gave me another view of teaching children about anti-bias. Have the children understand their own gender and culture, and able to value it. Do you think anti-bias should be start with their parental discipline and guidance? How can we show parents about anti-bias?
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of reading stories like the Ugly Ducking are great ways for children to understand not judging a book by its color. Another great idea is role playing so the children will understand from other perspectives.
Creating anti-bias and multicultural activities in the curriculum is a great idea for helping children feel comfortable and safe in their learning environment. Children also have the power to change people's perspectives and way of heart. But how do we persuade parents to allow children involved with these activities?