Start Seeing Diversity Blog: “We Don’t Say Those Words in Class!”

·       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.

I remember we were at the Turtle Mall in Jonesboro, Arkansas we walked into Victoria Secret department. When we saw a lady had a tool in her neck and when she spoke she held this little white tool to her neck to communicate with the sale person. My little nephew Nigel said,” Look that lady talk funny nanny.” I expounded by explaining to Nigel what was wrong with the lady that she was sick and she speak different from the way we do. I expounded to Nigel that we help and respect people who are different from we are, and we don’t make funny of anyone.

·         What messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult

The messages I communicated to Nigel was that the lady was not different she needed the tool in her neck to communicate with people. The tool was like when you talk with your mouth the lady has to use the tool to talk. I got a pen from my purse, and I demonstrated to Nigel how the lady used the tool to communicate with people. I placed the pen under my chin and begin to talk to Nigel. I asked him do you understand. Nigel replied,” I got it nanny.” I used the pen, and my neck to give Nigel an example to help him to understand that we are all important. I explained to him just because we talk different there is no less respect for all manner of people.

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

It is essential for all educators to respect and support all of the children’s families. It is extremely important for educators to support all children social identity. Supporting all children social identity, cultural, gender, and racial, are important(Derman- Sparks & Ramsey 2006). Educators should learn about the children behaviors by making sure that all children are well respected, and making sure no child is treated unfairly. Bill Martin (1970). The educator can explain to the children by using different materials such as, books, pictures, finger plays, and storytelling about anti- bias. Educators can also put anti-bias in the lesson plan for a topic.

References:

Derman- Sparks, L., & C.B. Phillips, (1997) Teaching/learning anti-racism: A developmental Approach.  New York Teachers College Press.

Derman -Sparks, L. (2004). Culturally Relevant Anti-Bias Education with Young Children.