"We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"
The time when I witnessed an adult, myself reprimand or silence a child after he or she pointed out someone they saw as different, happened to me. My 15th year of teaching a group of 4 year olds was quite an experience. During this time there was total of 20 children, 17 whites and about three black children. We were dancing during large group music and movement, this particular little boy who was not very verbal, in my opinion he always acted more on the level of a child who was much older than 4. So, I join in to dance with them, he walks over and looks at me, and says, "You Are A Monkey", I had to really compose myself before saying anything. So, I say to him, why you say that, he continues to look at me, and says because you are, so sure of what he was saying. So, I did not bring attention to it, I just continued to dance. After the children were down for nap, I talked it over with the other teacher, we decided to talk to the children as a closing activity, about how we are all different, by the color of our skin, our hair, etc. We read the book, We are different, we are the same. I don't think he knew what he was saying, it was just someone he had heard someone else say. The message that would have been communicated to this child if I had made an issue out of it would have been that I was offended of what he said, and that I was angry with him for saying it. Becoming angry with him would have been wrong, he did not understand how the word "monkey" is offensive to the black race. This particular child is now in the 5th grade, and he respects me, loves me, and he is my friend.
An anti-bias educator would have communicated to not only this child, but the whole class the importance of all of our uniqueness of being different in so many ways. They should never make fun of people who are different, poke fun at people, or discriminate against anybody, always be kind and always help if they see someone in need of a helping hand (Derman-Sparks & Olsen-Edwards,2010).
Reference
Derman-Sparks,L., Olsen- Edwards, J., (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. (NAEYC). Washington, DC.
Dear Linda,
ReplyDeleteGreat post and a great example of certain things children say because that is what they feel at that time. I am glad you didn't react to him and addressed this as a 'teachable moment' for the whole class by reading books on similarities and differences.
Cheers!
Sonali
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI like how you handle the situation with the little four year old boy. Young children at that age have to be taught about other people differences. As a professional, we have to choose the right appropriate words to say when explaining different circumstances to young children. Great Posting!!
Ida,
Linda, it's great how you handled that situation, you did not raise your voice. I agree children listen and memorize what other individuals say and do and in this particular sitiuation, this little fellow had heard someone say that about a black person. It's good you was able to have a sit around closing activity and talk about how people are different. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteJanet
I enjoyed reading your post. I feel that you handled the situation in the right way. We have to educate our children on situations like these because a lot of children are not taught at home. The parents may be talking about people right in the children presents. I would have also sat the children down and talked about how we are all different and special.
ReplyDelete