Seeing Diversity through Anti-Bias Education

Anti-Bias

Allowing children to be curious about their own and others’ physical and cultural characteristics

Nurture children’s journey of developing their sense of self

Taking time to allow children the opportunity to make sense of all they see and hear

Implementing a culturally responsive curriculum that encourages children to construct a personal sense of self and multiple social identities

-

Build relationships with families by learning about each families’ desires for their children’s identity development

Inviting families to share their strengths regardless of socioeconomic statues

Analyzing children’s book for racism and sexism

Support children and their families by providing diverse visual images in learning environment

My anti-bias poem focuses on the needed tools and skills we as early childhood professionals should keep in mind when working with diverse children and their families.  The poem provides a framework addressing topics such as children’s identities development, the ways in which identities are impacted by bias, discomfort, and trauma.

I have learned that becoming an anti-bias early childhood educator can be challenging because we must stay calm and interested in children thoughts and ideas without making assumptions.  In addition, anti-bias early childhood educators should stay in tuned with their own biases as an attempt to stay objective while addressing children’s curiosities with child friendly language that addresses the curiosity and allows children to developmentally understand one’s response.  I find staying objective can be challenging when children’s curiosities are triggers for our own biases.  However, I feel compelled to challenge myself to create an anti-bias learning environment that will influence me to interact with children in emotionally supportive and developmentally appropriate manner.  In addition to challenging my own biases, I feel obligated to make changes to my classroom that encourages families to feel welcome as well as have children and their families contribute to the learning environment by including their culture into the classroom through various visual aids, diverse learning materials, and curriculum planning.