I found this week's topics really interesting. Working in a diverse elementary school, I believe it is important that I am current and up to date on best practices when it comes to working with diverse families and children. I feel that this week's resources has really helped me do that. While focusing on gender identities and sexual orientation in early childhood, I can see how becoming a true anti-bias educator will help me serve all students and families better. There is much work to be done when it comes to improving society's views on gender roles and identity, as well as sexual orientation. But it starts with children because they are the future. If we can teach and show them by example what it means to be anti-bias and aware of the stereotypes and prejudices in this world, maybe one day they will be the generation that rids the country of it all.
I have noticed that homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children through books, movies, toys, stores, culture of early childhood centers, and schools. For example, when watching commercials for toys, you never see a boy playing with dolls. It is always girls. Lego toys also show some heterosexism with their toys. They have created legos that are pink, purple and other pastel colors for girls with princesses. Suggesting that the girls should play with these legos because the original legos are for boys. I grew up playing with legos and cars because I had an older brother who had them. So when he grew out of his toys, he lets my sisters and I play with them. They happened to be as much for me as my barbies and dolls did. I didn't care what color they were. I also grew up watching Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles with my sisters before school, which were meant to be for boys.
One of my sweet little girls in my kindergarten class has a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle backpack. At the beginning of the year, I mistakingly asked the boys one day who's backpack it was (because she left it on the floor). And then the little girl raised her hand and said "It's mine!" I giggled and told her, "Oh! That's cool! I used to watch this show when I was little too!" Then some of the boys said "That's a boy's backpack!" I really wish I would have taken this class earlier so I could have had a better discussion with my students like exhibited in the Seeing Diversity: Gender video and ask them why they thought that. But I did make it a point to tell the boys that I used to watch that show when I was younger and there is no reason why girls can't like it too. It makes me wonder where children learn these gender stereotypes.
In response to those who believe that early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or lesbian individuals such as same-sex partnered families, I would inform them that
using terms like "gay" as a put down is not fair for anyone (Start Seeing Diversity: Sexual Orientation). It makes people fear of being affectionate with friends. Also, if children of same sex parents attend a early childhood center, what is that telling that child? What is that doing to their identity? We must not hurt a child's identity by making them feel that their family is wrong or unwelcome. We must give children the positive message that everyone is safe and welcome in our facility. And honestly, if someone has a problem with that, I would show them the door. The same goes for parents/family members who do not want anyone who is perceived (or self-reported) homosexual or transgender to be caring for, educating, and/or interacting with their child. I would remind them that homosexuality is NOT contagious nor will it hurt a child. I am interested in hearing other's responses to these scenarios as well.
I have enjoyed the media segments this week and it has really opened my eyes to how I can better serve the children and families in my care by making everyone feel welcome and appreciated no matter what gender or sexual orientation they are/have.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteYour comment about making all famlies welcome in our centers really resonated with me. I feel that this is really important. I work in a preschool that is run by the Jewish Community Center. We teach Jewish values and tie them into our school philosophy. Often times when I tell people where I work, they ask me why I want to work in a school that is not diverse and only serves Jewish families. I have to explain to them that we serve all families, not just Jewish families. In fact, a large majority of the families enrolled in the school are not Jewish.
I really like your response to the children in your class regarding the ninja turtle backpack. I think you tackled the situation correctly without having the knowledge you have gained from this class under your belt.
Tara
Great post! I also work at a Title 1 school. I find it very hard, but very rewarding at the same time. I made that same mistake about a backpack the first day of school. I teach third grade and there was a Spiderman backpack that was laying in the middle of the floor, so I asked the boys who's backpack it was and it was a little girl's backpack. She was very embarrassed. It made me feel absolutely horrible. I learned from my mistake!
ReplyDeleteLastly, I agree that TV's stereotype children way too much. Children learn from this and think this is the correct way to be, when in reality. It is not necessarily true.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI have learned that teachers will often avoid discussing homosexuality. However, teachers need to learn that children need to be exposed to diversity and learn about differences in others. Often books provide stereotypes or confuse children. Therefore, educators must be willing to teach children about homosexuality and diversity in the classroom.
It's interesting that young children have already been embedded with this idea that certain toys are specified to one gender. Even something as simple as color has been put in children's head that only girls wear pink. I can remember at a staff meeting we were picking colors for our class. One teacher said pink and another responded by saying, "well what about your boys?" The teacher responded by saying, "Well according to Lukas, Boys can wear pink too because his daddy wears pink." We all chuckled.
ReplyDelete