Week 7-9
Task 1: Reflect
Five Ways to Improve Your Teaching by Linda von Hoene at UC Berkley ( 2019)
- Why is social justice important in early childhood? - Social Justice in early childhood is pivotal, it allows the children to learn about life beyond their own. It focuses on engagement in the wider community and teaches them empathy and generosity through collaborating with others. Furthermore, it teaches them about the impact ( small or large) that it can have on their own community through active community engagement.
- How can diverse social and cultural worlds of children be explored through a social justice lens?- From a young age children are being exposed to a wide range of diverse cultures, language, ethnicities simple by going out in public with their parents. However, becomes more apparent in an early childhood setting as they begin to interact with other children of other cultures. This begins by teaching the children that everyone is equal and should be treated as such without any bias', in doing so we are promoting equality and justice for all students.
- What is the role of the educational leader in promoting social justice? - The role of an educational leader in an early childhood classroom is to promote equality amongst all students as well as articulate and meet the needs of those students whom are of a disadvantage ensuring that their needs are being met by simple adjustments.
- When are early childhood educators expected to engage in social justice? Do you agree?- I believe that educators should constantly be engage in social justice as it plays such a pivotal role. An educator should constantly aim to promote social justice in the classroom and for the students to carry this knowledge beyond the classroom. Social justice, should not be a topic that is taught once and disregarded, it is of the utmost importance that they children are taught social justice, acceptance and are educated about other cultures in what is essentially a multicultural world.
Task 4
Critical Questions for Centre Philosophy Development:
• Does your philosophy reflect the families and children?- The philosophy also recognises collaboration between families, children and teachers. This is seen as very important, collaboration between families allows a more in-depth understanding of each child and therefore as educators we are able to tailor certain expects of their learning to suit their interest.
• Does your philosophy reflect the local community?- Yes, engaging with the local community in early childhood is important, it allows the children an understanding of their society and the local community are able to share their knowledge with the children. The local community and community engagement is vital, this allows the children to understand life outside the centre and their homes and how the rest of society operates.
• Does your philosophy reflect Australian society? - In terms on Australian society as a whole, I believe that it is reflected through in the best way possible through community engagement practices and the program as a whole.
• In what ways do you regularly consult children about what is fair and unfair? How do you use this information? - Teaching children about the fairness and equality should begin at an early age, this can be done through setting examples or simple by informing them right from wrong. This can then be used to inform their learning and personal development.
• In what ways do you consult families about their ideas of multiculturalism, equity and social justice? How do you use this information? - As this is a diverse classroom and families are aware of this information. We encourage families to bring about the topic at home with their children and consulting with families about their ideas and beliefs on this topic is crucial it allows us as educators an insight into how the child is being brought up if they have inclusive family values or not and to embed this in our teaching.
• In what ways do you consult the local community about their ideas about multiculturalism, equity and social justice? How do you use this information? - As the community is becoming increasing accepting and diverse due to the amount of immigrants coming to Australia seeking a better lifestyle and opportunities the community itself is already very diverse and is full of diverse cultures. Children can experience the diverse community through festivals such as Chinese New Year, Diwali ( Indian Festival) as well as other celebrations of culture and diversity.
• In what ways do you consult and question Government policies in your philosophy development? - Throughout the philosophy there are a variety of government policies and documents being reference from EYF to QKS as well as AITSL and the National Quality Standards.
• Do you have a policy about multiculturalism? - Yes• Do you have a social justice policy? -Yes• Do you have a policy that addresses equity and anti bias issues? -Yes• Do you have an anti discrimination policy?-Yes
Reflection:
Define Inclusion- My definition of the term inclusion means acceptance of all, regardless of cultural background or inabilities.
How could the term ' disabled students' be problematised?- This could be seen an issue as these students have a stigma that they can only do certain things therefore they are unable to reach their full potential.
Research supporting inclusive and seperate schooling. Why is it inconclusive?- It is my understanding that this has been inconclusive as some students benefit from seperate schooling while others benefit from inclusive. I believe that it the parents personal preference where they choose to send their child to and if the child is able to communicate effectively with the parents they will also have their say on which schooling they prefer and will think will benefit them. There is no correct answer, I believe that it all comes down to personal preference.
How does inclusion impact on teachers?- In extreme cases the impact of inclusion has caused high levels of stress as their focus shifts to ensure that they cater for the child with a special need or learning disability. This will then also result in them planning a different activity or adjust the activity they have planned to suit the needs and abilities of that child.
Resources used to ensure teachers are not engaging in gender bias?- Gender bias is evident in some classroom, as teachers we are naturally bias however, we need to put aside all bias' to ensure equality is given among all students.
Mistakes based on cultural understanding?- I always ensure to ask the child or parent or teacher about the cultural identity of the child before hand to avoid any misleading information or bias.
What are the responsibilities as a teacher? Separating personal from professional?- The responsibility of the teacher is always to ensure the safety and security of all children in the classroom and to cater for their needs making sure they reach their full potential. It is important to seperate personal response to professional response when talking to parents. Professional responses regarding a child should be direct and informative about their develop thus far.
Supporting gifted students on prac.?- It is important to support gifted students as they require more stimulation and are constantly seeking new activities or wanting to learn more. Therefore, by providing them with the tools and educational resources they will be able to reach their full potential.
6 Ways in which a person can be diverse:
• Does your philosophy reflect the people with whom you work? How?-It is important to respect the other staff members in the centre as stated in the philosophy. Showing a mutual respect to co-workers is crucial in building better partnerships and informs a structured classroom by working and collaborating with other members of staff.
• Does your philosophy reflect the families and children?- The philosophy also recognises collaboration between families, children and teachers. This is seen as very important, collaboration between families allows a more in-depth understanding of each child and therefore as educators we are able to tailor certain expects of their learning to suit their interest.
• Does your philosophy reflect the local community?- Yes, engaging with the local community in early childhood is important, it allows the children an understanding of their society and the local community are able to share their knowledge with the children. The local community and community engagement is vital, this allows the children to understand life outside the centre and their homes and how the rest of society operates.
• Does your philosophy reflect Australian society? - In terms on Australian society as a whole, I believe that it is reflected through in the best way possible through community engagement practices and the program as a whole.
Ways your Centre Philosophy demonstrates Consultation with children, families, staff and community:
• In what ways do you regularly consult children about what is fair and unfair? How do you use this information? - Teaching children about the fairness and equality should begin at an early age, this can be done through setting examples or simple by informing them right from wrong. This can then be used to inform their learning and personal development.
• In what ways do you consult families about their ideas of multiculturalism, equity and social justice? How do you use this information? - As this is a diverse classroom and families are aware of this information. We encourage families to bring about the topic at home with their children and consulting with families about their ideas and beliefs on this topic is crucial it allows us as educators an insight into how the child is being brought up if they have inclusive family values or not and to embed this in our teaching.
• In what ways do you consult the local community about their ideas about multiculturalism, equity and social justice? How do you use this information? - As the community is becoming increasing accepting and diverse due to the amount of immigrants coming to Australia seeking a better lifestyle and opportunities the community itself is already very diverse and is full of diverse cultures. Children can experience the diverse community through festivals such as Chinese New Year, Diwali ( Indian Festival) as well as other celebrations of culture and diversity.
• In what ways do you consult and question Government policies in your philosophy development? - Throughout the philosophy there are a variety of government policies and documents being reference from EYF to QKS as well as AITSL and the National Quality Standards.
Policies to support your Centre Philosophy:
• Do you have a policy about multiculturalism? - Yes• Do you have a social justice policy? -Yes• Do you have a policy that addresses equity and anti bias issues? -Yes• Do you have an anti discrimination policy?-Yes
Reflection:
Define Inclusion- My definition of the term inclusion means acceptance of all, regardless of cultural background or inabilities.
How could the term ' disabled students' be problematised?- This could be seen an issue as these students have a stigma that they can only do certain things therefore they are unable to reach their full potential.
Research supporting inclusive and seperate schooling. Why is it inconclusive?- It is my understanding that this has been inconclusive as some students benefit from seperate schooling while others benefit from inclusive. I believe that it the parents personal preference where they choose to send their child to and if the child is able to communicate effectively with the parents they will also have their say on which schooling they prefer and will think will benefit them. There is no correct answer, I believe that it all comes down to personal preference.
How does inclusion impact on teachers?- In extreme cases the impact of inclusion has caused high levels of stress as their focus shifts to ensure that they cater for the child with a special need or learning disability. This will then also result in them planning a different activity or adjust the activity they have planned to suit the needs and abilities of that child.
Resources used to ensure teachers are not engaging in gender bias?- Gender bias is evident in some classroom, as teachers we are naturally bias however, we need to put aside all bias' to ensure equality is given among all students.
Mistakes based on cultural understanding?- I always ensure to ask the child or parent or teacher about the cultural identity of the child before hand to avoid any misleading information or bias.
What are the responsibilities as a teacher? Separating personal from professional?- The responsibility of the teacher is always to ensure the safety and security of all children in the classroom and to cater for their needs making sure they reach their full potential. It is important to seperate personal response to professional response when talking to parents. Professional responses regarding a child should be direct and informative about their develop thus far.
Supporting gifted students on prac.?- It is important to support gifted students as they require more stimulation and are constantly seeking new activities or wanting to learn more. Therefore, by providing them with the tools and educational resources they will be able to reach their full potential.
6 Ways in which a person can be diverse:
- Learning Disability
- Physical Disability
- Different cultural background
- Language barrier
- Economically/ Financially unstable
- Learns differently to others
Five Ways to Improve Your Teaching by Linda von Hoene at UC Berkley ( 2019)
TOPIC 7
Social Justice in Early Years Education: Practices and Understandings. Annette Woods, Noella Maree Mackenzie and Sandie Wong. Queensland University of Technology ( 2013).
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority ( n.d.)
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