EDC1200 – Self, Education & SocietyTeaching Episodes

Donna HuntressStudent Number: 005004063

Rationale I feel that each individual in this community could benefit from actually standing back and thinking about how difference and belonging function within this community. It is not until these elements of the axis of identity are bought to your attention that you take on a new or adjusted perspective. If each staff member took on a stronger sense of belonging; the Centre could then move forward towards common goals. I also believe that it is imperative for the staff to feel as though they belong in order to recognize difference in the children and their families and then lead these members of the community into a greater sense of belonging.

RationaleThere are a few staff members who do not embrace difference, all Staff are encouraged to be mindful of opinions and approach situations with respect for diversity. (Tezcan, 2003). People reflect belonging when they feel others are genuinely interested in them and open to sharing information with them.

RationaleIn early childhood, and throughout life, relationships are very important to feeling a sense of belonging. Families, children and staff want to feel connected to the setting in which these relationships occur. This is made possible when all learning community participants feel respected, acknowledged, safe and welcomed and when the learning environment reflects the values, hopes and dreams of the community it serves.

RationaleI also believe that this community could benefit from promoting the inclusion of more males, either by employing more male staff members or by male family members actively participating in the community.

RationaleIn my learning episode I aim to create an awareness of difference and belonging in our community to all staff members. I will explore the identity of the community with the staff in order to get their thinking moving in a more positive and open minded way. I will also ask them to consider what their own identity is so they can start to understand who it is they are not and how they belong to this community.

Learning Episode This teaching episode will take place at

the monthly staff meeting, with no interruptions.

I will discuss each slide as we go.

Our Community Long day care Centre.

Children 6 weeks – 5 Years. Families.

Staff.

Community refers to a physical setting which people feel that they belong to through a range of experiences and collective interactions with others.

(Hickey, 2013c).

Our Children and Families

White, Black. Male, Female. Lower class, Middle class, Upper class. English speaking, non-English speaking.

Our Staff White, Black. Male, Female. Lower class, Middle class, Upper class. English speaking, non-English speaking.

What is Identity?

Identity is known to be the elements which reflect, name or make up who we are at a certain point in time. (Austin, 2013).

What is Difference?

“Difference is often portrayed and thought of negatively; that is, as something to be fixed.” (Hickey,

2013c). It is our role to engage with children and encourage positive relationships.

What is Belonging?

Belonging allows an individual to feel welcome and supports the truth of one’s value. Community membership provides a feeling of belonging to individuals. Belonging is

a natural human need, communities provide the grounds for which belonging is felt and experienced. (Hickey, 2013c).

ActivityThe first activity will be a handout titled:

Draw or describe a child who attends Sunkids.

This is to get the staff to think about the people who make up their community. The results of this handout can be seen in the following slide. I am assuming that no staff members will draw or describe a child from a particular race and would most probably not touch on the notion of race at all.

1st Handout

Outcome

No staff member has explored the axis of Race –

This can be seen as positive or negative

difference. It indicates that either race is not seen;

therefore all children are equal or it indicates that

‘difference’ is not accepted.

ActivityThe second activity will be a handout titled: Draw or describe the ideal educator.

This is to get the staff to think about the people who make up our staff in this community. The results of this handout can be seen in the following slide. I am assuming that no staff members will draw or describe a female educator and would most probably not touch on the notion of a male educator.

2nd Handout

Outcome

No staff member has explored the axis of

Gender – this indicates that most staff members

believe that this is a female dominated

community. Positive difference is that the

community does have a male director and one

male educator.

Outcome of the ActivitiesAt the end of this session, when the handouts have been collected, I will discuss the outcome of the activity and ask the community if they truly believe that educators are not male and if they feel that none of the children come from different races. This is designed to create an awareness within the community about the possibilities of difference and how these people belong to our community.

Positive Gender Difference

A male director and a male group leader

Positive Race Difference

Staff members from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Brainstorming ActivityThe next Activity will be to brainstorm as a group; ways in which we can encourage:a) Greater male involvement in the

communityand

b) Acceptance of different races in the community

Brainstorming: How can we encourage greater male involvement

in the community

Consider male recruits for staff positions Encourage male family members to

become involved in the community: Cooking BBQ, Santa, gardening, Painting with children.

Brain storming: How can we accept different Races in the community

Provide interpreters as required Accept diversity by Leading by example Equal treatment Accept that difference is not something

to be fixed. Support non-English speaking families

Activity DiscussionI feel that these learning episodes would allow all staff to reflect upon their pictures/descriptions and then open their minds to the positive and negative difference which resides in the gender and race axis within this community. I would ask all staff members to please consider these concepts and I would hope that the community will have shifted towards a more positive way of accepting diversity.

Difference and BelongingI will discuss the importance of accepting diversity and being able to achieve a sense of belonging for this community to work as a whole.

Conclusion to Learning Episode

Thank you to all staff members who attended my session on Difference and belonging. My goal would be to see staff members actively accepting and supporting difference in our community and also fostering belonging so that each person can feel a sense of validation within our community.