*  One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds.

     I believe this is an excellent question to ask an educator.  When I think about working with children and families from diverse backgrounds, I think of the word "respect and trust."  I believe that if I show children and families from diverse backgrounds respect, in return they will respect and trust me as an individual and as an educator.  When children and their families know that they are being respected no matter what their racial background are; that's builds a relationship and trust.  In order for an educator, children, and families to be connected that relationship and trust must be created first.  This is what I've learned as to being an educator and an anti-bias educator.  

*  One goal I would like to set for the early childhood field related to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice.

     I would like to attend conferences, training, or workshops that relates to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice.  I would really like to attend a workshop that are for males in the early childhood field.  I would like to listen to their stories on bias as a male educator and how they overcome or dealt with these issues.  That would be wonderful!  

*  A brief note of thanks to your colleagues.

     I would like to say that I really enjoyed reading everyone posts and blogs for the pass eight weeks.  You all are wonderful and amazing educators and I would like to wish each and every one good luck on our journey.  

Start Seeing Diversity Blog: Creating Art

     Greets everyone!  I decided to use Wordle.net as my piece of art.  I believe that Wordle.net is an excellent website to express words into art.  I think that art is a way of expressing how you feel.  Your emotions!  These words represent how I feel as an anti-bias educator and also demonstrates what I've have learned during my eight weeks in this course.  Thank you!

We don't Say Those Words in Class!

     I remember hearing a child in my classroom tell another child that she is too dark to play with them.  Both girls were African Americans, just one was light-skin and the other little girl was a darker complexion.  I had to intervene because we don't say things like that in my classroom.  So, I told the little girl that said the comment that "we don't say things like that in the classroom!"  I told the other little girl whose feelings was hurt that she is a beautiful girl.  I told the other little girl that when you say stuff like that to someone, that will make them feel sad.  I asked the little girl, would you like for someone to say to you, "I don't want to play with her because she is too bright!"  That would make you feel sad.  I continued to say, that we all might have different skin color, we are still the same inside.  For example, we all have hands, feet, body organs, emotions, we need food to eat to live, and a house to live in and to keep us safe.  We are all the same! 

     Here are some strategies to use if a incident like this happens in your classroom.

1.  Stay Calm

2.  Set limits-  Firmly, yet calmly, remind the rejecting child that it is not okay to make fun or to exclude others because of who they are.

3.  Explore feelings- Provide emotional support to both children.  Let the injured child know that she is wonderful in your eyes.

4.  Go beyond no; try to figure out what underlies the rejecting child's behavior- children do not learn much when they hear only no. 

5.  Take action that respects children's developmental understanding and their culture's interaction style-conflict-resolution methods are one way to do this (Let's figure out what is happening).

6.  Respect children's learning process- no one-time comment or intervention teaches anyone a new way of thinking.  Interacting with real people has the biggest impact, but useful experiences can also come through books and other media.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves.

Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).