Creating an environment that cultivates positive relationships and interactions, nurtures children''s confidence, and offers children opportunities to combat biases and misconceptions takes thoughtful consideration ad preparation. Your action plan will be comprised of several crucial components.
Read through each of the components listed below to become familiar with the various aspects of the assignment. As needed, return to the Learning Resources in the course (and/or prior courses) to reread, reflect, and further solidfy your thinking. Then, develop your action plan in a word document.
Please answer all the questions.
The Topic
Review the list below and choose one to be the focus of your action plan. Issues related to family structure.
Culture and language
economic class
race
gender
sexual orientation
varying abilities
Explain why you choose this particular topic as the focus of your plan.
What "ism" (or"isms") are you addressing with this topic? What misinformation, stereotypes, or fears might young children have about this topic.
The Setting
Write a short description of the types of early childhood program for which this anti-bias plan will be prepared. Include the ages of children, number of children and staff, demographics of children and staff, ethnic groups, racial identities, economic class, languages spoken, gender, and varying abilities.
The Goal(s)
What are you hoping to teach through this plan? Describe your goals and expected outcomes. In what ways will you address and contradict the stereotypes associated with the topic? Provide examples the demonstrate what you might say or do to combat specific stereotypes.
The Curriculum Plan
Describe at least two learning experiences that will help you reach the goals of your action plan. Indicate at least two ideas you will incorporate into the visual/material environment to support your curriculum. Think about at least one "teachable moment" that you anticipate will occur and describe it in deal.
Other Considerations:
In what ways will you connect with and involve the families of the children in you setting? From the list of varying abilities which you studied in week 7, choose one (deafness). Then, state the accommodations you will make to your classroom, your own behaviours/interactions, and/or your curriculum, to best support learning for a child with this varying abilities in the context of this action plan.
Assessment:
How will you assess whether or not you have met the goals? Explain how you will know that your action plan has been effective.
Sources:
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Ray, J.A, Pewitt-Kinder, J., & George, S. (2009). Partnering with families of children with special needs. YC: Young children.
"Thirty-five years of progress in educating children with disabilities through IDEA. (pamphlet). (2010, November). Washington DC: US Department of Education.
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Strategies for working with diverse children: Learning about fairness: Race and gender. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Wardle, F. (2011). Responding racial and ethnic diversity in early childhood programs. Exchange.