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 (e.g., "That lady talks funny," " That man only has one leg!" "Why is that man so pretty!"). Include what the child said and what the adult did or said in response. (Note: If you cannot think of a specific time ask a friend or family member.) Working in a daycare/preschool setting, things like this will often arise and teachers will have to deal with them. My center is diverse in teachers as well as children, so it is common for other children to notice something different about another child. My students (and some others) have commented on the fact that my skin is darker than theirs (Caucasian students) and some have said that, " Joan (name changed due to HIPPA) looks like you Ms. Onie, she is the same color." I laugh and say, "You're right." There was no harm done in them realizing that I and their peer looked similar in color and they didn't. This shows their growth, they are recognizing different things in their environment. I also have students who have to wear braces on their feet to help them balance when they walk, so some students have asked me, "why does Johnny (named changed due to HIPPA) have to wear those braces?" I simply tell them, "It helps them learn how to walk and keep their balance." Children are naturally curious about things, so it is natural for them to ask questions. When I feel a student is making fun of another students because they are different, I will tell them that's not nice.

What messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response I believe that they child understood that is was okay to ask questions to something they wanted to know about. Also, just because someone is different from them doesn't mean that they are less important than they are.

An example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the child's (or classroom's ) understanding An anti-bias educator will listen to the child and explain to them how we are all different. Everyone in the world is unique; however, they are just as important as you and me. Derman-Sparks and Edwards stated it well in chapter 1, "As in all other areas of learning, young children try to make sense of their world by organizing what they observe and experience into "theories." This is true for how they explain their observations of skin color, gender, culture, disabilities, and so on." (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p.14).

Reference
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).