Start Seeing Diversity Blog: Creating Art

As I reflect on what I have learned in this course about children's identities and development, ways in which each is impacted by bias, discomfort, and trauma, and what I have learned about anti-bias work, myself, and others, I have Then created a piece of art that illustrates my key learning's from the Start Seeing Diversity media segment and my blog discussions.

The photo collage I created represents diversity, respect, love for all skin colors, being a voice for the voiceless, and acceptance focusing on ending racism and hate. My picture collage also demonstrates individuals in wheelchairs, individuals of different sizes, and races also known as physical characteristics (Laureate Education). 

Reference

 Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Start seeing diversity: Physical ability and characteristics [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

 

"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

 A time when I witnessed an adult reprimand or silence a child after he or she pointed out someone they saw as different was when we were at a restaurant and my younger cousin said "Why does he walk like that?" and his brother told him to shut up. My aunt told him to lower his voice so the individual would not hear him. Once, we got seated at the table, my aunt then explained to him that everyone is different and there can be different reasons why he may walk differently including being handicapped, injured, or born that way. She then explained to him that it is not nice to stare and that because he walks differently does not mean you single him out or treat him any differently. 

Some messages that might have been communicated to my cousin by my aunt's/other cousins response include:

• maybe in trouble
• confused
• a misunderstanding

An anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child or classroom with understanding is by paying attention, ask questions, listen carefully, and responding appropriately to the child and the situation ( Derman-sparks & Edwards, 2010). It is essential to acknowledge these questions and use them as teachable moments to foster a diverse anti-bias learning community ( Derman-sparks & Edwards, 2010). 

Reference

Anti-bias Education For Young Children and Ourselves

• Creating an Anti-Bias Learning Community, pp. 32-47