Reflecting on Learning

Reflecting on Learning

Concerning my most passionate hope for my future as an early childhood professional and for the children and families for whom I work is to become an effective diversity/equity educator that advances the abilities, well-being and quality of life for all the children and families in our program.  It is crucial to understand the importance of the child’s early years as the foundational beginnings to future outcomes and to address the changing demographics we are witnessing in our society.  Diversity involves more that race and ethnicity as we are seeing alternative family structures, those with varying abilities becoming more active members in our communities, diverse sexual orientation, differing socioeconomic circumstances, and an aging population and I believe that everyone benefits from an increased focus on diversity and the inequalities and injustices that permeate our culture.                                                                                             

I work for Early Head Start that serves children and families from low socio-economic circumstances in one of the highest poverty regions in our nation which correlates to a variety of issues and inequities that affects children and families in our program.  I believe to be an effective diversity/equity educator it requires being an advocate for those we serve and addressing any bias or discriminatory practices this includes attitudes against the poor.  Erroneous information and false beliefs against those living in poverty undermine working to find solutions to the problems they face daily and impact wealth and income disparity in our society.  I think we do in truth have a vast responsibility to confront any challenges in relation to diversity and the dynamics of privilege and oppression we encounter as professionals in the early childhood field.   I will make every effort to put into practice an anti-bias approach in the classroom so that “all children and families have a sense of belonging and experience affirmation of their identities and cultural ways of being” (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p. 2).                                                                                                                                                                      

I thank you Dr. Sheri and fellow colleagues for sharing your wonderful perspectives and insights.  I am heartened and inspired by what I have learned from each of you concerning your values and beliefs, professional philosophies, and your visions and goals for the future.   I wish each and every one much success in your future endeavors and I believe that you will make an important contribution to anti-bias work. 

References

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).