Reflecting on Learning

As I reflect on all that I have learnt for the past eight weeks, my most passionate hope for the future as an early childhood professional and for the children and families with whom I now work or will work, is to ensure that we all continue to: 1) “build caring connections with each other,” 2) “break down barriers of discrimination, stereotypes, prejudices and biases that would interfere with comfortable and respectful interactions” (Derman-Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). 

Finally, as I continue to work on “fostering an anti-bias, inclusive learning community,” it is my passion that I will “be very thoughtful about the words I use” as I hold myself accountable to the anti-bias concept, “We are all the same; we are all different”…in ability as it does for other kinds of diversity” (Derman-Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). Hence, I will be honest and conscientious in helping to ensure that “making friendships across ability/ [disability] levels [will] bring joy to the whole classroom community” (Derman-Sparks, & Edwards, 2010). 

At this point, I want to thank Dr. Pickens for not only guiding us through this course, but for her personal encouragement in making me feel comfortable in understanding the strategies that I need to put in place in working with diverse children and their families.

I must also thank my colleagues for their interesting discussions, questions and blog postings. They have truly broadened my horizon on abilities and diversity- a knowledge that we need so badly to intercept the coldness in the world we live in, and to enlighten our children about that they can truly develop well-rounded social identities for themselves.

Dr. Pickens and my colleagues, I wish you all the best for the future!

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).