Creating Art

I am an advocate:


A- advocate for stopping oppression
D- dedicated to helping families embrace diversity
V-voice for those that are victims of Stereotypes
O- open eyes to accept differences
C- continue to provide support for young children and families
A-active pursuant of ways to instill increased family engagement in their children's lives
T- teacher in favor of anti-bias curricula for a better human race
E- encourager for those families wanting to stop being victims of oppression

We Don't Say Those Words in Class

There have not been many times where I have seen a child reprimanded in an extreme manner. I was in a store and I saw a midget. " the child says mommy why does that little girl look so old like you, mama." The mother responds, " stop pointing its not nice to point and poke fun at others who are different." She also explains to her why she is made different and how we should not make fun of those because they are different. They may look at us differently and think that we look funny too!

Some things that might have been communicated to others is that we are all different in some way and we have to accept that and still be nice to one another.This mother, in my opinion has efficiently and correctly reprimanded this child and explained why the other person is different and how we must not treat people differently just because  we are not the same. Moreover, an early childhood educator may have responded in the same way, and tell the child that she/he should not make fun of other's differences.

Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

Gender, gender identity and sexual orientation are all topics that all of us have or will have to encounter at some point in life. In child care centers, most people  believe that books and other readings should not portray homosexuality. I believe that it is just as important as any other issue that we discuss in the early childhood field. In my opinion, children need to know how to deal with this issue so that they are well prepared on how to react and how to treat others with different sexual orientation and gender identities other than the one of their choice. Just like any other issue, this one pertaining to sexual orientation, is among one of the important issues pertaining to diversity.

Furthermore, some people have biases that pertain to sexual orientation. However, when requested by family to keep homosexual instructors I would have no choice but to respect their wishes.  At the same time I would also help encourage them that whomever the instructor is, is well qualified and able to provide the same education as the others if not better. But, in addition to that I would still be forced to keep their wishes in mind to be respectful. Depending on the severity of the situation, I would even suggest that they take their child else where in order to show how important it is to introduce the children to diversity. Diversity is one of the issues that are important to a learning environment, just as if learning to learn with someone who is among a different race or ethnicity.