Week 8-Goals and Gratitude

A goal that I have related to working with children and families from diverse backgrounds is that I would always remember that, in spite of any differences related to color, creed, ideology, and culture, we are all the same and want the same things from life, for ourselves, our children and the world. We all wish for freedom, peace, a good and purposeful life for ourselves and our children, love and to belong.

A goal that I hold for the field of Early Childhood Education related to issues of diversity, equity and social justice is that Anti-Bias Education become cemented as a standard model for Early Childhood Education. I think that, if children are educated according to the anti-bias model, recognizing and appreciating diversity will become a way of life.

To My Colleagues:

Thank you for sharing your opinions, points of view, knowledge and experience with me. Thank you for challenging my thinking with your questions and feedback. Thank you for taking this journey with me. You provide inspiration and your tenacity is admirable. Best wishes to all of you!

Careyann

Week 7-Creating Art

                       Experience
                   (a cinquain poem)
                           


                          Experience
                   Shapes consciousness
               A contextual framework
             For interactions with others
                               Life


I wrote this in reference to Quinn Valentine's account of how his childhood interactions with his parents (specifically his father) and his peers shaped his worldview and relationships as an adult (Laureate Education, 2011).


Reference

Laureate Education (producer)(2011).”Learning From Another’s Life Story: Quinn Valentine”. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_552134_1%26url%3D

Week 6: Start Seeing Diversity: “We Don’t Say Words Like That!”

I live in rural Northern New York. Small town life has its benefits and detriments. One characteristic of life in a small town is that everyone is aware of everyone else’s business. Nine years ago, a local resident began undergoing the process of gender reassignment. He began taking hormones;  dressing and living as a woman. This person, who was known as Francis, sought to be identified as Francine. This was, of course, public knowledge. My then 3 year old son, Jem, and I once shared an elevator with this person in the Medical Arts Building of our local hospital. Jem asked, “Why is that man dressed like a girl?”. To this, I responded that the person was a woman, not a man. Jem insisted that the person was a man dressed like a woman. I remember once again contradicting Jem’s observation and distracting him by giving him a lollipop from my purse. I apologized to Francine. She smiled back at me, but the pained look on her face said it all. I felt horribly for her, but could not be upset with my son for telling the truth. At that time, Francine was a man dressed as a woman. A message that Jem might have received as a result of his interaction with me is the feeling that his instincts were wrong, or that it was okay to not tell the truth. Overall, I think that Jem was confused.

An experienced anti-bias educator might have a conversation with Jem about the characteristics that determine gender; mainly anatomy. Additionally, it would be wise to discuss that identity involves one’s own idea of himself based upon thoughts, feelings and behavior. I think that, although it would be difficult for the child to comprehend fully, an honest answer might be enough to satisfy rather than confuse him (as did the contradiction that I put forth at the time). I should have told Jem that Francine has the same parts as all boys, but feels more comfortable dressing as and identifying as a woman. So, out of respect for Francine and her choice, we should think of her as a woman (Derman, Sparks and Edwards, 2010, pp94-95).

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J.O.(2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. NAEYC: Washington, DC.