Above is a wordle that represents my overall response to 8 weeks of learning about anti-bias education and strategies for working with diverse children. This course allowed me to deepen in knowledge about myself because creating an anti-bias setting begins with me.
The aspect that really resonate with me was when were learning about teaching to strength, I found that very fascinating. As an anti-bias educator, teaching to strength will definitely help me to enhance the positive interactions I have with children. It's a great tool for getting to know the children better. According to Janis Keyser in the media segment, we can't really know who children are if we are not part of the voice that co-constructs the image of the child (Laureate Education Inc., 2011). So, teaching to strength is one of the most important ways that anti-bias work happens. It is how people respond to differences that teaches them bias and fear (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010). Instead of reacting negatively to children's identities and diversities, we lay hold on their strength and build them to become a version of themselves. This is truly what being an anti-bias educator is all about.
I also learned a lot from Eric Hoffman on how he uses the persona doll to introduce diversity related issues in the classroom. Currently, I am beginning to introduce persona dolls during mental wellbeing and jigsaw activities in the classroom. I'll still extend the use of persona dolls through other subjects in our curriculum.
It was a great collaboration during this 8 weeks and I just want to appreciate everyone for contributing to the learning experience. The course discussions were very fascinating, insightful and very engaging. Honestly speaking, we made a formidable team and I hope we all meet again in the last course for this program.
I won't fail to thank Dr. Kien. Your instructions, honest and constructive feedbacks were awesome. I always looked forward to them because they made me to be on my toes throughout the duration of this course. Thank you so much!
References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Building on children’sstrengths. Baltimore, MD: Author
Hello Chidimma, teaching to strength was a highlight for me also. It is a positive way to look at each child. We as educators can support all children by drawing from their strengths and capacities to develop the skills, competencies, and confidence to be active learners, independent and critical thinkers, and invaluable members of their learning community, community, and beyond. Teaching to strength supports the four anti-bias educational goals by nurturing and supporting each child’s unique identity and individualism. Teaching to strength supports these goals by valuing the knowledge each child brings with them from their home and outside environments. As a result, both before and throughout a child's school experience, the child's home language(s) and culture(s) should be acknowledged as positive contributors to the child's development (The National Council of Teachers of English, n.d.)
ReplyDeleteI also learned about the Persona Dolls. I have requested that one be purchased for our classrooms and I am waiting to see if it is approved.
I want to thank you for your participation and contribution to my learning. Your discussions and blogs have always been so informative and meaningful. I look forward to finishing our last class together. Congratulations on getting this far.
Chidimma,
ReplyDeleteI agree the week we discussed teaching to the student’s strength was an interesting lesson for me as well. I believe in that strategy and have done it before when working with children who have special needs or are working above the rest of the class. That week I had to refocus on how important it is for an educator to plan for all students to see the learning we intend by embracing their strengths and individual identities. When I plan with teachers, I have that discussion but it will be a while before we can see it all day in every classroom.
It has been a great 8 weeks. Thank you for all of your participation.
SScott