Blog Week 6

A time when you witnessed an adult (or yourself) reprimand or silence a child after he or she pointed out someone they saw as different (e.g., "That lady talks funny," " That man only has one leg!" "Why is that man so pretty!"). Include what the child said and what the adult did or said in response. (Note: If you cannot think of a specific time ask a friend or family member.)

As an early childhood educator apart of our job description is teaching children how to be polite to others and the appropriate ways to ask questions. There are quite a few incidents that came to mind while doing this assignment, but the one I chose to elaborate on is the one that will forever stay with me.

There was a little girl name Katelyn that was confined to a wheel chair because of epilepsy, but this child was extremely bright. Katelyn came to my classroom every morning until 9:30 a.m. when her Pre-Kindergarten teacher arrived. Each morning after breakfast, I turned on music and she would move around in her wheel chair and laugh until the song went off. Sherman; a child in my pre-school class told Katelyn, “to be still because you cannot dance in a wheel chair.”  After Katelyn teacher arrived and went to her classroom, I pulled Sherman to the side and spoke with him about his remark to Katelyn. He said to me that “she can’t dance in a wheel chair because my brother told me that people in wheel chairs can’t do anything.” I explained to Sherman that his brother was wrong to tell him that. As I explained to Sherman that people in wheel chairs may not walk does not mean they can’t do other things. I stated that Katelyn likes to dance around in her chair because she has ears to hear the music and eyes to see the other children dancing and moving around as well. I also told Sherman because Katelyn cannot walk does not mean she should not be happy. He looked at me and said that he was sorry. I told him to make sure he tells her that tomorrow with a big smile and hug.              

What messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response

The message that I hoped to communicate to the child is helping him to understand that children with disabilities are just as normal as him, and to never be mean or say hurtful things to people who he consider different from himself. Children learn by example and I want to be a positive example to the children I come in contact with throughout my career journey. Children will never comprehend varies abilities unless they are thought to do so. All children need accurate information about what people with particular disabilities can and cannot do (Derman-Sparks & Olsen, (pg.126, 2010). In chapter 10 on page 126, Derman Sparks & Olsen illustrates to the reader ways to help children deal with varies abilities.       

An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child's (or classroom's ) understanding

Explaining to children about varies abilities takes patience and dedication; for this is a life long journey. In a situation where children may not understand another’s child’s disability that he/she is no different from you, and that we all should be treated with respect, and the way that you want to be treated. As Derman-Sparks and Olsen explains “teaching Anti-bias to children is that teachers and other staff must use intentional strategies to create quality inclusive classrooms.” 

Resource

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.