Louise Derman-Sparks & Julie Edwards, two early childhood professionals and anti-bias education experts, highlighted the fact that toys, materials, equipments, posters, and furniture all influence how children learn. An environment that is rich is anti-bias materials invites children to explore and discover, and encourages them to ask questions. Therefore, it is very important to celebrate diversity inside of the classroom. "What children do not see in the classroom teaches children as much as what they do see."
If I were to open up my own family child care home center, I would ensure that my center is very warm and welcoming to families. I would do this by having small, child friendly furnishings and warm, home-like touches. Having a family tree wall in the classroom would be a great way that I could incorporate pictures of all of the families in the center, while giving the children a place to see pictures of their families when they need some comfort.
Aside from incorporating photos of existing families, it is important to display pictures of diverse families as well. Posters of photos of different family structures and of families from around the world, including different races and clothing types, would be very beneficial to the children. Displaying different types of homes/houses around the world would be good as well.
I think that it is also important to show pictures of diverse individuals, such as individuals with disabilities, individuals of different races, individuals wearing clothing traditional to their culture, and individuals with physical differences. Children are more likely to ask explore and ask questions when information is given to them in a place where they feel safe.
The materials that I use in my family child care home center are just as important as the environment. Providing books on different topics and highlighting diversity are important because they not only instill a love of reading but also show and discuss human differences and similarities. Music is important as it incorporates the children's home culture while introducing new cultures. Dolls and puppets allow the children to freely explore racial diversity while dramatic play props, such as multicultural food and clothing, allow the children to act out roles and relationships. All of these things are equally important because they are exposing children to differences while allowing them to freely explore and ask questions in a non-judgmental environment.
One other thing that I would do in my family center is to celebrate as many holidays as I could, without diving too deep into religion. Too often children are only exposed to Santa Clause and I think it would be so much fun to research and celebrate Diwali and the Chinese New Year with the children as well.
To sum it all up, my family child care home center would showcase the families and cultures within my center, while highlighting diversity as well. The children would get the opportunity to learn from each other while discovering more about their own culture, as well as other cultures. Diversity would be celebrated in my child care center.
Source:
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
I like your choice of elements, as it will make every family feel comfortable to develop in your center. It is the responsibility of early childhood teachers to ensure that every child’s culture and family structure are recognize and valued in the program. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCassie, celebrating diversity is very important. Your mention of celebrating the holidays without getting too much into religion is a good idea. With the fact that kids from different heritages will be in your center it is very important not to get them confused between what they do at home and what they do at the center.
ReplyDelete