Children are so very impressionable and they need loving caring
adults so show them how to respect themselves and others. “They need adults to
help them begin to navigate and resist the harmful impact of prejudice and
discrimination. A person’s early childhood years lay the foundation for a developmental
and experiential journey that continues into adulthood” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2012,
p. 11). They need adults to help to guide them so that this foundation will
be strong and will allow them to flourish and prosper in the intricately
diverse world we live in.
The first years of a child’s life they begin to “notice
differences and similarities among the people who surround them. They use these
observations to construct their self-identity and their concepts about others” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2012,
p. 12). It is vital to understand all “isms” to put an end to them before
they get out of hand. Children learn from what they see and hear. If they see
me being treated differently because I am a woman, then they are going to
believe that it is ok to treat women that way or it is ok to be treated that
way.
Brandie
References
Brandie,
ReplyDeleteBias and discomfort are, especially for young children, omnipresent entities running rampant within today’s world. My thoughts are that students should be taught about all the levels constituting what makes bias and discomfort occur toward those around their ages. Explain to them what stereotypes, biases, racism, culture, and diversity are. Furthermore, exhibit positive, concrete life situations and philosophical truths about which they can reminisce. Children are our future, so it is imperative that we encourage healthful behaviors for their developmental phases.
Brandie,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. You mentioned that children begin to notice the differences and similarities among the people that surround them. When I read that statement I thought about the children in my own classroom. Some students begin kindergarten completely ready and have had a wide variety of experiences. Other students struggle to catch up to their peers, for they have not had the same opportunities. The same is true for what students understand about diversity. Some children embrace the differences of others, while other children sadly have been taught hate. Parents are their children’s first teachers and that role can impact the way they think and act for a lifetime. Early childhood professionals must teach children to love and respect others.
-Siera
Brandie,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. Your statement is so very true. There are many typed of ‘isms a educator or anyone can face in their everyday life. Just imagine your world if you were to experience any of these -isms, I would feel very hurt and self-conscious. Experiencing -isms is something that hurts the person and can shake up their world and life in an instant. It can be carried around like extra luggage and not go away for a while. We have to teach children about anti-bias to love one another.
Hi Brandie
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I must agree that children learn from the adults around them. At an very early age children begin to learn and understand difference in each others. As adults we must help them understand the similarities and differences is ok.