Even at age 9 or 10, children can articulate, very clearly, the ways in which gender constrains and defines their experiences; even at age 9 or 10, children are aware that their genitals organize their lives.
I'm surprised by this age. I know that from working in a preschool and after school, many times I've encountered a child as young as four or five knowing the differences.
Recent research suggests that the most frequent victims of bullying in K-12 schools are gender variant children:
It is important to educate early about gender differences. I think that the earlier the better and will allow for less bullying coincidences.
gender diversity to late elementary
Children should get a jump on learning about diversity as soon as possible, I think this is awesome!
normals” view of gender: The belief that there are two, and only two, gender categories;
Society is continuing to develop and grow. I think it is important to see the shift and change of the world we live in. There are people around us and whether they conform to a gender type or do not it is important to love and teach them equally.
societal norms around gender, gender identity, and gender expression in order to open up spaces for children and adults to interrogate and explore their relationship to their own and others’ genders.
Opening spaces I think is very important. There should be locations where people feel that they are safe and can successfully learn.
message is too important to be filed away.
as educators we should want and hope for the push to bring more relateable books to classrooms across the country
For African American children, Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are not enough
It is important for students of color to learn about these to influential people. But, they should also know that there are more people who have had a positive impact on the world. People from all disciplines and lifestyles.
mirror books for all children
I really like this idea of mirror books. I've never heard it before but think it is extremely important.
They found that good readers make connections to themselves and their communities. When classroom collections are largely by and about white people, white children have many more opportunities to make connections and become proficient readers.
This is very upsetting. I think that it is essential to people of color to have more books by people of color. It will help them to connect which will help their school work grow. They will grow in school and as a person if they have something to relate to.
Why does seeing themselves in books matter to children?
The ability to relate to someone and see someone like them in a book can give them confidence. Relating and seeing someone like them can give them hopes and aspirations. It can allow them to have something to connect to.
Children of color and the poor make up more than half the children in the United States. According to the latest census, 16.4 million children (22 percent) live in poverty), and close to 50 percent of country’s children combined are of African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian American heritage. When the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were introduced in 2009—2010 , the literacy needs of half the children in the United States were neglected. Of 171 texts recommended for elementary children in Appendix B of the CCSS, there are only 18 by authors of color, and few books reflect the lives of children of color and the poor.
Just now I think that it is crazy how people of color or the poor make up half of the children in schools. I think that the underrepresented of them is very hurtful and neglectful. As a major part of the children in the schools they should feel included and valued. !8 out of 171 texts by people of color is extremely unacceptable. It is very important for each child to feel like they are safe, appreciated, and have value throughout their school. When children of color do not see books by authors that they can relate to it can have disastrous affects on their self-esteem.