Start Seeing Diversity Blog: "We Don't Say Those Words in Class!"

We all have ability. The difference is how we use it. Stevie Wonder Children Notice Differences I teach pre-k special needs and I’m faced with curious little faces and questions every day. My child with cerebral-palsy is small, requires a walker, and we push him to lunch in a stroller. Jadan, another pre-k child in the other class ask me: “Why is Aidan a baby?” Derman-Sparks (2010), recommends paying attention to children’s interest in human differences and encouraging them to express their feelings and questions. I would answer Jadan trying to explain that Aidan wasn’t a baby his body had just not developed like his. Children learn from each other and I decided it would be best to introduce the boys. So, I did on the playground, and they became friends. Aidan has an amazing personality and Jadan learned that just because his friend had a disability he could still communicate, laugh, sit and roll the ball, and be a little boy. I could have chosen to ignore Jadan or silence his questions, but I did not. Our educational journey is unique and faced with different challenges daily. I do not know all the answers to tackling anti-bias task, but Derman-Sparks (2010) states: “Each person’s development as an anti-bias educator has its own pattern, pace, and timetable. The key is to keep going, keep moving, and keep committed. We must celebrate each victory-acknowledge and share the small daily successes and the larger ones. That is what gives us the strength (and joy) to stay the course. Reference Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Retrieved from: http://quotations.about.com/cs/inspirationquotes/a/MakingADiff1.htm