What I Have Learned

Throughout my time working in various early learning programs from coast to coast I have one hope to advocate for those who need it. Over the years I have had to be the voice for those who are not being heard or even do not yet have the words it is not easy, but is something I am very passionate about. As an educator, we must be diligent to keep in mind those who are in our care are being cared for and having their needs met. Educating on cultures and their values is so important since we are all so different something that seems “wrong” in one culture may be perfectly normal in another. This is why we must continually be educating ourselves about the different cultures in our community we serve.

A goal I have is to encourage children to learn more about those around them. Instill in them a desire to learn from the person who is different than them and celebrate what makes them different. Being able to value what makes us all different is so important to be more tolerant and accepting of those around us. This will hopefully create a better tomorrow for us all.

I would to say thank you for the support and interaction throughout this course. It is wonderful to be a part of such a great group that is so encouraging and accepting. It has been great getting to know you all and I hope only the best for each and every one of you.

Best regards,

Stephanie Grout

Creating Art - My Poem

Who I Am…

I am an original with my heart on my sleeve.

I am imperfect, while striving to find me.

I am a daughter, mother, wife and more and these mean the world to me.

I am an educator striving for change.

I am an advocate for those with no voice, yet looking for change.

I am afraid of war and hate for fear it separates my family.

I am loved and love others.

I am hard working and challenged.

I am blessed.

I am a work in progress and would have it no other way.

"We Don't Say That In Class"

Children are very observant individuals they notice what we do not as adults at times both the good and bad. With that being said I can think of a dew times personally as well as professionally that I have heard a child make a remark that was about another in both a positive or negative light.

A time that stands out the most was when my oldest daughter Addy was just about two any woman we saw who was not thin she thought they were pregnant. I at the time was pregnant with our second child and she had put a large belly as a sign of pregnancy in women. This was a problem there was a lady at her center who was heavy and having a difficult time conceiving each time Addy saw her she would rub her belly and say, “a baby in your belly”. I remember the lady crying or showing anger toward Addy as this happened. I of course felt horrible each encounter. Generally, when this happened the person would ignore of laugh and say no if they were not. It took tie and lots of the best possible conversations I could to break Addy of this. She did not mean harm, yet infertility is difficult to face for some.

I remember being worried that the message would be sent to Addy that baby bellies were a bad thing. The teacher was in her classroom in the evening when Addy would be there later than usual. I did not want her to associate having a baby as a negative thing.

I remember suggesting to the teachers lead in the classroom that she should incorporate a story about differences in people’s appearance. Celebrating differences in culture as well as appearance is important to begin at a young age (Derman-Sparks, 2010). We are all different and using books or songs can deliver messages to children without them knowing. At such a young age, it was difficult for her to learn the difference, but it was a learning experience for when we were pregnant with our third child and our second was young.

Reference

Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: NAEYC.