I was involved in a situation where I silenced a child for something he said. I was a new teacher in the mid-80's, working downtown Milwaukee as a kindergarten teacher. Our class was somewhat diverse with two Korean children and three African American children and nine white children. We were taking a walk outside the building to observe the different types of transportation and a city bus pulled up close to where we were standing. The doors opened and a large African American man got off the bus. One of our African American boys yelled "Hey, it's Fat Albert". The man looked the other way and kept walking while the rest of the class laughed. I looked at the little boy and told him to be quiet and that it wasn't polite to say such things.
On the one hand, it was appropriate to point out that it wasn't polite to shout out; but, on the other hand I could have taken the opportunity to discuss how people come in many different sizes and that all large African American men are not Fat Albert. According to Meltz (2001), even if the person the child has made the comment about can hear you, an immediate, matter-of-fact response is more respectful than silencing the child which translates into bringing more shame.
When we returned to the classroom, I could have used some tools such as children's books or pictures showing people with a variety of body sizes and pointed out that I know a large African American man and his name is Paul, not Albert (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Additionally, as Spangler pointed out in Positive Ways Early Childhood Education Settings can Respond to Bias (Laureate Education Inc, 2011), persona dolls could have been used to address how the doll felt when hurtful comments about body size were made and the children could have had an opportunity to develop empathy, realizing then that the comment was not something to be laughed at.
By not addressing the issue I missed the opportunity for children to learn that "name calling, exclusion, and hurtful teasing" (Pelo, 2006) is hurtful and something we don't want to do. Additionally, not addressing issues gives children the message that the behavior is acceptable and that (in this case) being big is something to laugh at.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer) (2011). The Positive Ways Early Childhood Education Settings Can Respond to Bias [Multimedia]. Retrieved from http://mym.cdn.laureate-media.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6357/CH/mm/audio_player/index_week6html
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer) (2011). Start Seeing Diversity: Physical Ability and Characteristics [Course Media]. Retrieved from http://class.walden.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecutive%2Flaucher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2651072_1%26url%3D
Meltz, B. (2001, November 22). Teachings on diversity, tolerance should start early preschoolers can learn it's ok to notice our differences: [Third Edition]. Boston Globe, H4. Retrieved from ProQuest database.
Pelo, A. (Ed.) (2008). Rethinking early childhood education. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools.
Hi Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteNot addressing the issue also left the children with the stereotype about fat people. Stereotypes can lead to biases and really hurtful statements. I do agree that informing the child that it is impolite to yell hurtful statements out is a positive thing. I also agree that it was a missed teaching opportunity. Persona dolls could have been used as a follow up (Pelo, 2008).
Thank you for sharing. You made some great points.
Luci
Reference:
Pelo, A. (Ed.) (2008). Rethinking early childhood education. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools
Hi Suzanne, It was great reading your interesting encounter in downtown Milwaukee. Honestly, children can be very out spoken to a fault and that is because children may just lack the appropriate language to express their ideas (Derman-Sparks& Edwards, 2011). Nonetheless, it is how we respond to them to caution them about appropriate behavior and utterances to respect differences that matters.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne,
ReplyDeleteEducators have to take the opportunity to teach children diversity. When children say things that are offensive, educators must point that out immediately. Children do not always realize what they are saying. They see stereotypes and here things at home that they feel are acceptable. This is why anti-bias education is needed to teach children to respect diversity.
Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your blogs! I agree that there were several ways to handle the situation but almost everyone's first reaction is to hush the child. I too would have done the same thing. I am wondering if we as adults feel we need to hush the children when they speak in appropriate words to show the adult in question that we do not agree? I like your ideas of branching lessons off of the situation because to me those are the best learning situations. Thanks again for your most insightful blog!