Ktantanim Balev

The region I chose is Morroco, which is my parent's country of origin. As I read and analyzed the wealth of information UNICEF provides, I decided to focus my study on a closed topic to my heart, Early Childhood. According to UNICEF (n.d.), some of the information relating to early childhood in Morocco are: Only 39% of children ages 36-59 months are attending early childhood programs (UNICEF, n.d.). Considering the significant role early childhood programs have on children's social-emotional development and school readiness skills, it is a great challenge that affects the children's well-being and future. Only 21% of children under five have three or more children's books (UNICEF, n.d.). As books expand young children's language acquisition and imagination, lack of books may affect young children's learning. Only 14% of children under five play with two or more toys (UNICEF, n.d.). On many occasions, toys expand the children's imagination and serve as an emo...

For my blog, I created a collage made of a collection of images portraying my anti-bias classroom. According to Derman-Sparks, (2010), young children need caring adults to help them construct a positive sense of self and respectful understanding of others (Derman-Sparks, 2010, p.11). The images represent my diverse students' social and cultural identity and their families and my own as their teacher. The diverse environment welcomes all families with a sign in their native language and portrays respect for their home language's value. Also, there are representations for children with special needs and inclusion, diverse books, and authentic props at the dramatic play area. Children are encouraged to role-play and figure out the world around them.  References: 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).

Admittedly, Sexualization in early childhood is an issue that causes concern among educators and parents as children are exposed to sexual content through the media, commercials, and even various children's toys (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). The peed on social media are packed with young girls looking at the camera, wearing plenty of makeup in sexy poses. In my community, as twelve years old, young girls are giggles and flirting with high school boys, taking risks and not being aware of the consequences of their actions. I have noticed parents losing control of their daughter's leniency, sharing their concerns but feeling hopeless. Moreover, as some parents are aware of the harmful consequences of their children's behavior to their self-image, they cannot monitor their children's screen time at home, as children are exposed to sexualized materials outside the home. Through the messages children received from the media, children learn the narrow definition of gender and...

     As I reflect upon the many occasions parents had reprimanded or silenced their child as the child commented about their diverse peers, one incident came to mind. As Dean's mother came to pick up her son during departure time, he approached her, saying with an excited voice: "Mommy, we have a new child that arrived today. He is black and came with his parents, but they are not his real parents because he is black and they are white". Dean's mother's looked embarrassed and silent her son immediately. She looked directly at her son, saying, "we do not say things like that". When she realized that the new boy's mother was looking at her, her face reddened, and she rushed out. This incident could be embarrassing. Luckily, my new student's family was American and did not understand Hebrew.  It was evident that Dean was never exposed to a multiracial family and was not considering adoption at three years old. His mother's reaction to his analys...

Developing a sense of self involves connecting the child’s identity and social identity (Smidt, 2006, p.106). As children achieve their sense of belonging through their family and affiliation to their culture, they foster a social identity through their interactions with their peers and the messages they received about who they are (Smidt, 2006).  The bias I experienced as an immigrant affected my self-perception. Upon arrival to California, I was affiliated with the minority as an immigrant and as a Jewish. I was not fluent in English, although my receptive language skills were excellent. I was not confident communicating with people, as they perceive me as less intellectual, based on my expressive language ability. This experience took a toll on my confidence and how I perceive myself as a strong and educated individual. As I acknowledge the challenges and struggles I experienced as an individual and a mother of young children, I can relate to the hurdle diverse families expe...