While reviewing The Teaching Tolerance e-newsletter, I came across an article entitled, “Two decades of Teaching Tolerance”. This article explained that the teaching tolerance program was founded in 199 by Morris Dees. The mission of the program is to promote respect for differences and an appreciation of diversity in the classroom and beyond (Thomas J. E., 2011). The article highlights issues related to tolerance by year beginning in 1991. Many groups are mentioned, including gays and lesbians, homeless children, educating children of illegal immigrants, and children with learning disabilities. The article is relevant to my professional development because it focuses on the broad spectrum of diversity, including areas not typically included in diversity. Reading this article broadened my thinking to include sexual preference and homeless children as part of teaching diversity.
The new issue of NAEYC’s Young Children magazine includes the article, “Moving Bodies, Building Minds: Foster Preschoolers’ Critical Thinking”. This article explores how teachers help children develop their working memory through movement (Marigliano, M. L., Russo, M. J (2011).
When body movements are paired with language, and language paired with sensory motor experiences, children have two ways to make meaning of their experiences. When initiating a movement activity, teachers can use the scaffolding technique of engage, expand, and empower to create a rich experience. Creative movement activities foster critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while encouraging joyful exploration. During creative movement experiences, children learn to think before they act, pay attention to detail, and consider differences between experiences (Marigliano, M. L., Russo, M. J (2011).
This article adds to the volumes of research conducted by scientists on the importance of quality early childhood education on brain development. Critical thinking and problem-solving are qualities that enhance positive development toward becoming productive adults.
Insights I’ve gained by exploring Teaching Tolerance website and NAEYC website are that diversity and research on the developing brain are broader than I originally thought. Diversity includes subjects of hate groups such as gays and lesbians. The argument that highly educated and trained early childhood professionals are needed to enhance healthy brain development is made stronger by including research on movement education for young children.
References
Jill E. Thomas, J.E., (Sept. 2011). Two Decades of Teaching Tolerance. Retrieved from
Marigliano, M. L., J. Russo, M. L. (Sept. 2011) Moving Bodies, Building Minds Foster
Preschoolers’ Critical Thinking: And Problem Solving through Movement. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/201109/Moving%20Bodies_Russo_Marigliano_Online_0911.pdf
Yes, teaching diversity is much broader than I thought too. Did you read anything about how to integrate all diversity into the early childhood curriculum?
ReplyDeleteTeaching tolerance is very important. It is interesting to read that the website is supporting diversity. Is there any ways in particular that you learned to teach tolerance?
ReplyDeleteJoey,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I am a big fan of incorporating body movement in learning. Thank you for this article, I cannot wait to read the entire thing.
Joey;
ReplyDeleteGreat post, it is important that we teach children to appreciate diversity in the classrom. Diversity will always be a front line issue in the education setting. Teaching tolerance always have great information for educators.
Hi Joey,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog posting about the Teaching Tolerance newsletter. I agree that promoting, appreciating, and infact engaging in services with those from diverse populations is an important part of being an ECE professional. In order to truely be effective, we must remain up-to-date on the current issues and trends related to diversity.