Learning About Economic Class Fairness based on economic

Learning About Economic Class & Fairness

based on economic class deeply affect young children �A lack of resources (safe housing, nutritious food, and regular health care) may put children at risk �Many poor people work very hard and remain poor. They may have more than one job �An increasing number of children are living in cars, on the streets, or in homeless shelters �They may have low energy because of the poor diet

Children’s Experiences and Understanding of Economic Class and Fairness �Children pick up social messages about the value and importance of different kinds of work, including the work that their family members do �Posters on the community workers sends the message what jobs are important �Children receive messages that material things are proof of love and approval (get rewards for good behavior) �Children learn attitudes of entitlement and superiority or dependency related to their economic class (children from greater income will get the message of having a greater right to the materials)

�Children do not yet have the skills to sort out advertising messages that tell them they “need” to have various material things �Children pay close attention to how adults interact, and they pick up key messages about class differences �Young children can (and do) develop resiliency and the skills to handle challenging economic realities

Strategies for Exploring Economic Class and Fairness Create a welcoming and equitable learning community: �Have the same high expectations for children from every family �Pay attention to each child’s unique learning styles and skills �Be mindful of families’ concerns about clothing (have aprons to avoid for children to get dirty) �Use sensory materials that are not food

Foster Non-classist Interactions �Make a decision not to focus on children’s new possessions during group and sharing times �Encourage preschoolers to use toys and materials cooperatively, so the children learn to share �Help children to work together cooperatively (group collage, mural painting) �Create persona doll stories that help children recognize and challenge hurtful stories and behaviors that humiliate children from families who have lower incomes

Promote Knowledge and Appreciation of Everyone’s Contributions �Find books that honor the “invisible” work done by member of the families in your program �Make a class book with photos of all the support people who keeps your program going �Work with children on recycling to do activities �Create a theme on “where we live, ” including various housing �If your program celebrates holidays, let children make gifts instead of buying them

Support Families Across Economic Lines �See yourself as a partner with all families �Have an open-door policy in your class, and plan ways to welcome and include family members when they visit �Set up a family resource room �Find out what each family needs in order to participate in the classroom, conference, and meetings (consider their working hours) �Get to know the children’s community (library, shops, events) and invite the community members to your class �Compile a listing of family support resources

Classism in Our Profession �Work to create an atmosphere where you and your colleagues can openly share and discuss issues �Celebrate and model complete respect for the work your staff do �Work to create equal opportunity access to professional development �Share with families about the real coast of quality early childhood programs