EDUC 6358: Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice


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 experience. The social reality and the bias impairs the children’s beliefs about their families and themselves and harm their social identity and social-emotional development (Derman-Sparks, 2010, p.13). It is imperative for us as professional educators to foster empathy, respect, nurture our diverse students’ self-esteem, and foster equity in our anti-bias environment (Derman-Sparks, 2010). We should support the children and their families to feel welcome, connected, and feel pride in their heritage and cultural background (Derman-Sparks, 2010).

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).  

Smidt, S. (2006). The developing child in the 21st century: A global perspective on Child Development. New York, NY: Routledge.

 

 

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2021 at 4:57 PM

    Ilana,
    I continue to learn a great deal from your posts and lessons you convey. Having personal experience of being on the receiving end of unjust and bias attitudes and experiences can create a spark and motivation to ensure others do not experience the same. I think the most powerful tool we have as educators is to be the living example of demonstrating respect, empathy, and ensuring equity for each family that we encounter (Derman-Sparks, 2010).

    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).

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anthony SingletonFebruary 13, 2021 at 8:24 PM

    Hi llana,
    Very insightful post. It is hard to deal with bias thoughts when they are aimed at your social identity. It can make a person question who they are as an individual. As educators it's important that we make sure that children don't have to face these negative experiences and that their culture and who they are is always celebrated no matter where they are from. I do believe that facing biased thoughts can make an individual stronger and more coherent to when others are being treated unfairly. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2021 at 8:52 PM

    Self affiliation and representation is important. Bias behaviors exist everywhere. I am a African American woman, so I am well aware of biased behavior. It is a shame that we have to deal with this, but it is the world we live in.

    Dorothy Avant

    ReplyDelete

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