tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674456627831082033.post8072277398730581999..comments2024-03-21T09:27:31.853+00:00Comments on The Guilletos Playful Learning: My rant on the Anti-bias Approach !!!Foreword from the Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10463783607201506844noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674456627831082033.post-37644176373714170632012-02-03T04:40:57.544+00:002012-02-03T04:40:57.544+00:00Your comment about classification (such a bedrock ...Your comment about classification (such a bedrock of Montessori) accords perfectly with the book chapter I mentioned in my last comment. Research shows that children classify from a very early age and one of the methods of classification is race (it happens about the same time as they begin to classify by gender). There is nothing bad or racist about this form of classification. They have noticed a difference and they're sorting people according to that difference. It's exactly why the child in your class confused the black man she saw with her doctor. This classification becomes negative only when (a) parents or other influential people give children reasons for associating something negative with the classification they have observed (like Discovering Montessori point out) and (b) when adults fail to acknowledge differences (i.e., don't ever talk about it) often because they're so busy saying everyone is the same (like My Boys' Teacher argues). This is really confusing for children because weren't not all the same! Some of us are black, some are white, some are Asian, some are...fill in the blank. Acknowledging difference (yes sweetie, that man is black; or yes, his skin is lighter/darker than yours) and then, when age appropriate, explaining that sometimes having dark skin/ a disability/ being a woman can lead to different and unequal treatment, is much better than the "we're all the same approach".<br /><br />Very interesting debate, indeed! Thanks for putting it out into blogland!<br /><br />Fionafjkellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16819863361116352714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674456627831082033.post-80973027467836365152012-01-31T22:17:33.330+00:002012-01-31T22:17:33.330+00:00WAAAA.. This is quite a powerful account here... I...WAAAA.. This is quite a powerful account here... I am lost for words but you are the living proof that the Anti- bias aproach is needed. Thanks so much for sharing with us.Foreword from the Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10463783607201506844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7674456627831082033.post-30658045466433396002012-01-30T23:29:57.861+00:002012-01-30T23:29:57.861+00:00First I would like to say I find this subject very...First I would like to say I find this subject very interesting, but because I love debates I sometimes don't comment on topics like this. I am a very open minded individual, and I have a lot of life experience that I sometimes use to make conclusions about. I do not at all agree with your professor! Please allow me to share what I experienced at a young age and also my son. We are African American and we live a very diverse life among many nationalities. Our community is diverse as well. At a young age I wanted to be white, and I picked the white dolls. Why? because the white children appeared to be lucky and beautiful, and their just weren't many African American dolls around then. I was the only African American child in my kindergarten class and I didn't have any friends. Why? I conclude that the parents taught them that they are lucky, and I was bad luck. I remember putting tights on my head to pretend to have long beautiful hair like my classmates, who in my eyes were beautiful, and so was everyone like them on T.V. Fast forward to a decade ago when I worked in a public school and was eating lunch in the teacher lounge. I guess I was a "token" because a teacher described a child as the "dumb black kid who always wears the dirty uniform shirt" My teeth almost fell out my mouth. Why did she say this? Her parents taught her that. Just last year my six year old son was a victim of rascist comments by his classmate(s),There was a ring leader. Why? Because they were repeating what their parents said. My sons' teacher always replied that he didn't hear the other kids make any comments! That same kid was just in the office sent by another teacher for saying the same type of comments when I picked my daughter up from school the other day. I am saying all of this to just share that yes as bad as it sounds preschoolers and kindergartners learn this type of rascism earlier than we would like to think. It comes from home! As educators it is our job to promote peace, and self awareness. Unfortunately we all weren't raised with parents who understood that hate of any kind hurts. I don't regret anything that happened to me because of unkind individuals wanted to raise their children with ignorance. It is when it involves my children that I totally have to get on my knees and pray. Also African American children aren't the only victims. Unfortunately I witnessed my five year old caucasian friend become a victim by one of his peers as well. I hope I didn't rant too long and lose my point. It starts in the home, and it starts early! You have a preschool that you are able to make a difference in the lives of many children,KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK and your Continent Boxes may very well help a child know the difference between fact and fiction. Thank you so much for sharing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13158647152559332939noreply@blogger.com