We each bring our experiences, perspectives, and worldview to our work — the good, the bad, and all of the in-between. These are what make us who we are and influence our practice with children, families, and colleagues. We also hold in our minds a picture of our ideal selves. Knowing more about yourself can pave the way to becoming the person and the early educator that more closely matches your ideal self. This first Key to Reflection and Inquiry can help you become more self-aware and intentional in examining who you are now and who you want to become.
Helping children continue to develop their home languages and cultures as they enter an English-speaking culture presents many challenges.
Identify some of the aspects of dual language development of which you are already aware.
What motivates you to take up this challenge?
"Unless teachers go out of their way to examine and change the ways their everyday practices support a power hierarchy that privileges some groups and disadvantages others, they will continue using practices that unwittingly sustain inequity."
— Nora Hyland, (2010)
Consider that over 50% of school age children in California are from non-white racial groups, and already these students have a serious achievement gap compared to white students. Our work in early care and education can begin to reverse power and opportunity inequities.
Consider the following understandings needed to support dual language development for children:
Reflect on what you need to strengthen in yourself. What will you do first?
Use this template to record your observations, thoughts, and feelings. Download the Template
Deepen your understanding of the dispositions needed to effectively deal with Dual-Language Development. Review dispositions in the CA ECE Competencies. Scroll to page 45.
Can you find other places in this competency area that address needed dispositions and understandings you want to cultivate?
Return to this article about "Social Justice in Early Childhood Classrooms" to consider changes you might want to make in how you approach your work.
© Copyright 2011-2013 California Department of Education. All rights reserved. Electronic edition 2011, and 2013. Print edition 2012 ISBN:978-0-8011-1719-0. The ECE CompSAT project was produced by Fresno State University for the California Department of Education in 2013.
