If I were
to open my own family care home, I would try to create an anti-bias environment
and use anti-bias curriculum. I would include books from various cultures and
backgrounds. As Derman-Sparks and Olsen stated in the textbook (2010), selected
children books should include all the children, families, and staff in the
program. The books should reflect diversity in cultures and languages, and help
children get to know other people in the society to prevent stereotypes
(Derman-Sparks & Olsen). I would carefully select various posters to be
hung on the wall reflecting diversity of both majority and minority of people. Open-ended
materials are important so that children can use their creativity and
imagination to create their own artworks. Different colors of paints should be
provided with children’s skin tones as well, so that children it is okay to
have different skin colors and they all look beautiful. There should be a
parent board and updated information is to be posted regularly for parents to
know the program better. It is a good way to maintain positive communication with
parents. Puzzles need to reflect different groups of people to avoid prejudice
and biases. One important thing I learn from the textbook is to first include
the majority group of children and families in the materials, and then expand
to other children and families who might not appear in the program. These
include people from different races and/or ethnic identity groups, various economic
status, people with various abilities, and also diverse family structures.
Making sure that the environment and the program provides an equal and diverse
learning for children is very important and both children and their families would
benefit a lot from the program.
Reference
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J.
(2010). Anti-bias education for young
children and ourselves. Washington , D.C.
Hi Lufei,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that we should keep parents informed of what is going on at school. Since diversity is happening in the early years education field, we should try to communicate with parents with the languages that they speak. Curriculum newsletters and weekly bulletins can be translated to as many languages as possible to serve the diversity in the setting better. Equity and diversity are the two key points of anti-bias education. Thank you for sharing.
Xiyue
Hi Lufei,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very interesting. Your homecare center will definitely attract parents and students to be a part of your learning environment. Choosing books and posters that provide the diversity outlook will let the parents know that the children will be learning about different culures as well as their own culture. Providing the names of object in English, Spanish and other languages will also help the children and families in the center.
Hi LuFei,
ReplyDeleteI agree that we need all students, families and staff of the progarm represented, but we also need those who are not. If we think back to the course text when it discusses who Anti-Bias work is for, it is mentioned that we also need to include those groups which are not viible in that classroom.
Creating a anit-bias environment and being able to incorporate a anti-bias curriculum would be great today. Children need to be able to have hands on activities and be a to see what you are teaching. Posting pictures along with the word will help children learn in this environment.
ReplyDeleteHi LuFei,
ReplyDeleteYes we do need to include textbook. That is to first thing that would include, and material that depict group of children and families in the materials, and then posters on the wall to show that this is a community for all to come and feel safe and respected. I think that your family care home would be very inviting to your families and their children.