We Don't Say Those Words in Class!
A
time when you witnessed an adult (or yourself) reprimand or silence a child
after he or she pointed out someone they saw as different (e.g., "That
lady talks funny," " That man only has one leg!" "Why is
that man so pretty!"). Include what the child said and what the adult did
or said in response. (Note: If
you cannot think of a specific time ask a friend or family member.)
I can remember a time when I witnessed a little child point at
another child in the grocery store because they had a cleft lip. The child said “ma he has an ugly mouth, why
does it look like that”. The mother
responded by saying “he was born that way, sometimes people are born different from
others, but does not mean they are bad people because they look different”.
What
messages might have been communicated to this child by the adult's response.
The message that I feel that was most likely conveyed to the child
was that when people look different it does not mean that there is something
wrong with them; they are human just like everyone else.
An
example of how an anti-bias educator might have responded to support the
child's (or classroom’s) understanding.
An anti-bias educator could teach a lesson in class about adults
as well as children with different kinds of disabilities. They could focus on how some of these
differences allow them to do many things just as well as those without
differences are able to do. She could invite children and adults to the
classroom to speak about disabilities and differences and their positive
effects.
Kesha,
ReplyDeleteI have had the same thing happen with my own children. I have, in the past, not made a big deal about it and sort of shushed the situation. But I think it's good that you heard the mom addressing the issue rather than ignoring it or brushing it "under the rug." I am going to make sure to be more responsive and acknowledging of the opportunities to teach love and tolerance of people who are different.
Kesha,
ReplyDeleteYou make a great suggestion about helping children understand differences. Bringing in people who belong to a certain group, I feel, really speaks to children. Since children like new people and new things, they are usually interested and in tune. Growing up, one of my best friends who I went to school and did ballet with had a cleft lip. I was about four years old when I met her and we stayed friends though Junior High. I remember being interested in her cleft lip and I wondered if it was painful for her. She and her mother clarified my concerns very early on in our friendship and I quickly forgot she even had one. She was such a good friend to me and I will always remember her. Thank you for sharing!
~Jalice
Kesha,
ReplyDeleteIt is so often that children seem to speak their minds. It is almost like they don't have a filter. I feel that children are just curious and want to know more about why things are the way that they are. How did this make you feel in the situation? I do feel that children should understand that not everyone is the same and that everyone is beautiful in their own way.
Kesha
ReplyDeleteThis was a great example of how important it is to teach children that people are born different but that doesn't make them ugly. I have had to teach my children not to stare at others who may look different from what they are accustomed to . Thank you for your post!