Discussion: Where Are YOU From?

3-Practice strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives

Knowledge is power. I learned in “Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves” it is important that early childhood educators keep building our understanding of the many diversity/equity issues regarding children, families, early childhood education, and society. Early childhood education has a deep faith that all people deserve the opportunities and resources to fulfill their complete humanity. I learned from “Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves” in an anti-bias classroom teachers intervene with immediate and follow-up activities to counter the hurtful effects of these messages. In anti-bias classroom, children learn of their individual diversity, and learn to be proud of themselves and their families. Children learn to respect human differences, to recognize bias and to speak up for what is right. Anti-bias education supports the principle that every child deserves to develop to their fullest potential. I learned from “Janet Gonzalez-Mena article” three ways to overcome cultural conflicts in caring for an infant. They are;

1) Resolve through understanding and negotiation

2) Resolve through caregiver education

3) Resolve through parent education

Early childhood education providers need to learn conflict management skills for when families and caregivers have different perspectives. I learned from the article “Taking a culturally sensitive approach in infant/toddler program” that parents and caregivers alike, both hold strong views about how babies are supposed to be taken care of. Not all children in care outside the family are in culturally assertive environments. With the many different cultures in America, many positive outcomes result. When adults manage and resolve conflicts related to caregiving, the fewer inconsistencies in approach the babies will experience. The curriculum we plan needs to support diversity and anti-bias perspectives. Just about every subject area in the early childhood education has the possibility for anti-bias education al themes and activities. These activities can be individualized or in a group. Teachers can support diversity and anti-bias perspectives in a classroom setting, field trips, simulated environments, or in a practicum site. Themes of self-discovery, family, and community are effective and honest when they include exploration of gender, ability, racial identity, culture, and economic class. Relationships and interactions with children and families, the visual and material environment, and the daily curriculum all come together to create diversity and an anti-bias learning environment. Children must feel secure, safe, loved, and nurtured to develop the basic trust they need for healthy development. One way we practice strategies that support an anti-bias classroom is through transitions. I learned from the article “The importance of transition” that planning for and supporting transitions between activities is beneficial to young children. Transitions from one activity to the next can be frustrating, confusing, and create challenging behavior in young children. Transition strategies must meet the individual needs as young children and the cultural and linguistic diversity of families.