Diversity & Multiculturalism
In our department, my mission has been to open our students' eyes to bias and injustice. It is not my intention to impose my personal beliefs, but merely to raise awareness of the similarities and differences in the population of our students as well as the young children and families they will teach and serve. Making friends with strangers-including children, families, and colleagues-is a necessary skill. students need practice cultivating skills and dispositions such as empathy, risk taking, and welcoming differences to provide high-quality care and education. Therefore, diversity and multiculturalism are critical components of everything I do as an instructor.
Diversity Panel
Students network and create a panel of citizens from the community who have or could experience some type of bias due to their diversity. Attention is given to how bias relates to children and their families and how we, as educators, can advocate for understanding and acceptance of all students in our early childhood classrooms as well as the community.
Exploring Culture
Students need to develop the sensitivity to build trusting relationships across multiple differences with the children and families they will serve. I start by having each student create a personal poem describing their background and culture. Students explore and embrace their own culture and share similarities and differences with their classmates. Ideas and feelings are reflected upon and analyzed as students actively engage in learning the many skills required when caring for others.
Students need to develop the sensitivity to build trusting relationships across multiple differences with the children and families they will serve. I start by having each student create a personal poem describing their background and culture. Students explore and embrace their own culture and share similarities and differences with their classmates. Ideas and feelings are reflected upon and analyzed as students actively engage in learning the many skills required when caring for others.
ECD 252: Diversity Issues in Early Care and Education
This course addresses all types of bias and stereotypes and the importance of honoring all cultures. Attention is given to integrating multiculturalism into all aspects of the classroom.