REFLECTING ON LEARNING

"Anti-bias work is essentially optimistic work about the future for our children."  

-Derman-Sparks and Edwards, 2010, p. 2

My biggest hope for my future as an early childhood professional is to build a anti-bias education movement in Grand Rapids, MI.  I have learned that it is difficult to fully implement anti-bias curriculum without the support of other staff and team members.  I would like to see teachers and educators thinking about the impact on children and families and society as a whole if children develop a strong sense of self and family, appreciate and celebrate differences in others, recognize injustice, and act against it.

I am hopeful and optimistic with this goal because I am seeing it unfold and I have only been back in the field and advocating for 3 months.  I am seeing that my co-teacher likes how the children respond to problem solving regarding issues of gender.  Therefore, she is engaging in conversations with me about lesson planning that encourages the development of the anti-bias goals.  In the center I have seen the parent engagement coordinator reconsider parent engagement activities that might be exclusive to some family structures.  I a most excited about my connections with the Early Childhood Specialist for our organization (Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative).  I shared with her the four goals that are outlined by Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010).  We talked about the differences between diversity training and anti-bias education.  Shortly after she purchased and read "Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves."  Next year she would like to collaborate with me to provide training for all the staff at ELNC as well as do a presentation at one of our local annual early childhood conferences.  I feel that this networking will get others excited about anti-bias work and build a movement that can help influence other cities in Michigan and the nation.  Anti-bias work will help to ensure a new generation of thinkers, problem solvers, and socially responsible citizens of the world.  It can help but be optimistic work for the future of our children!

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

THANK YOU!
I would like to give a special thank you to my colleagues and professor for challenging my professional growth and providing such unique perspectives on the implementation of anti-bias education.  I leave every class feeling more informed, inspired, and prepared to advocate in the early childhood field.  Good luck to all of you as you work to finish your degree next class!  I hope to see many of you in the field as we continue on this life long journey!