One hope that you have when you think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds (any format and any length)

   My hope is to successfully create an environment for all children and families with a diverse background.  In this environment I want it to be enriched with anti-bias education and curriculum that promotes healthy and respectful relationships, equal opportunities, and social equity and justice for all children and families, including those of a diverse background.



 
One goal you would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice (any format and any length)

    My goal is to bring opportunities that reflect diversity, equity, and social justice in the educational setting that engages the developmental domains of all children by implementing strategies that foster these issues without being bias and prejudice in the early childhood field.



  
A brief note of thanks to your colleagues

    I would like to thank all colleagues for their continuous support as we journey through this program.  I am honored to have collaborated and communicated with such a professional group of individuals.  Thank you for your comments and sharing your personal and professional insights regarding issues on diversity in early childhood education, as well as your personal lives. I would also like to wish all of you continued success in your educational and professional goals. 




  Also, May you all have a happy, safe, spring break!


 

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: Creating Art

Diversity is not just another word

We have to keep in mind that it means a world

Specially to the people of non dominant culture

Every human being is proud of their heredity and culture

It is our responsibility to understand and respect people

for whom they are

                 Color, sex, beliefs, class, or ability should not

be the measuring stick

Respect, love, care and kindness from the bottom of

our hearts should be the base for future of the world

The more questions we ask, the better we are

with the understanding of the Diversity

Each and every individual would like to be respected and cared

It does not cost a thing to do so

So, why do not we try to do what makes everyone happier?

See the differences, learn about them, respect the diversity

        and the individuals who are different than you are

Let’s work together to make tomorrow a better day

for all the beings.

Thank you, from my heart to you!!

Diversity is all these and more to me....

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: "We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

I have seen many times where a child will wait right until you get in a public place and say things out loud to embarrass the person and of course, you. Me, my sister and her little three year old daughter was in the aisle of the grocery store and two ladies walked up holding hands; my niece burst out and said “Y’all are just nasty because ladies don’t hold hands with each other.” Her immediately apologize to the ladies and she had her to apologize as well. She took her to the bathroom to let her know what she did was wrong for hurting those ladies feelings. She says to me “But mom ladies don’t hold hands with each other.” Her mom told her that she do agree with her but everyone do not have live the same lifestyles as others; so therefore, it is not for us to judge anyone; especially when the person is right underneath our nose. Her mom also told her next time if she were to see another couple holding hands, just smile at them. What messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response? The mother gave her daughter a talk about the people being different and people making different choices. Mother said that she explained to the child that she should not talk to the strangers. Then mom talked to her about being respectful of others choices because saying negative things about a person can easily hurt their feelings, and we do not want that to happen. By knowing the child, I am very sure that she understood that she had offended someone, and her mother is not appreciative of her choice of words. An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child's (or classroom's) understanding As for me, I would first appreciate the child’s ability to speak up her mind. It is amazing how children express their observations and curiosity. I think the parent did the most obvious thing by showing the two ladies respect. However, children in their process of observation create their own unique explanations about what they see based on the cognitive tools they possess at the stage of development (Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). As educators it is critical that we create a rich learning environment, (anti-bias free environment) which will set the stage for discussion and open-ended questions to help children understand differences, and similarities in others. 

References

Sparks, L. D., & Edwards, J. L. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. National Association for the Education of the Young Child. Library of Congress, Washington D.C. 20005-4101