My second interviewee lived locally, therefore, I was able to get more detailed answers for my questions. My colleague explained that although same-sex families were not as popular in her time, she was taught multiculturalism, diversity, and tolerance; and that she was neutral when it came to her own assumptions or biases about gays and lesbians. However overtime, she moved from neutrality to advocacy. This colleague also states that early childhood educators can figure out what is the best way to provide the optimal experience for the child and their family regardless of their dynamics.
The ideas that were expressed by both interviewees that I most connected with is that our beliefs were influential in our lives; however charity/love is a powerful influential part of our beliefs, which provides us with the understanding that in our field ALL children deserves high quality education and ALL families need to feel safe and welcome in early childcare programs. We are here to teach and not judge!
QUESTION:
How can early childcare
educators teach resiliency to young children from same-sex families?
Reference
Lee, G.
(2010). Gay mothers and early childhood education: Standing tall. Australasian Journal
of Early Childhood, 25(1), 16-23.
Pizzolongo, P. J., & Hunter, A.
(2011). I am safe and secure: Promoting resilience in young children. Young
Children 66(2), 67–69. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
