Week 7: social justice model

Within the first few weeks of class we discussed many moral and ethical issues that can potentially arise in any early childhood centre. One was about a parent at the centre wanting her child to play separately from a child who had homosexual parents. Originally as a class we came up with multiple suggestions such as talking to the parent and educating her about gay and lesbian parents and informing her that they are just like anyone else in the centre. Another suggestion was to separate the children via the days they attend kindergarten for example having the child with homosexual parents attend on certain days that were not the same as the child with heterosexual parents. After coming up with a social justice model as a class last week we concluded that social justice is about normalizing difference, respecting and valueing, equality and fairness, inclusion, acceptance and equal opportunity. We mentioned that it is a big responsibility as early childhood teachers to ensure inclusion and the normalization of difference. In relation to this social justice model I decided I had changed my mind about the original decision made about separating the homosexual and heterosexual parents children when attending the centre. Based upon social justice I do not think this is right at all as it completely goes against the normalization of diversity. I came up with a different decision based upon my current beleifs about social justice. As a director I would make very clear within my centre philosophy the centres believes about diversity and equality, I would emphasize respect and value amongst all people and children. By making the centres philosophy clear and by ensuring the centre lives the philosophy every day the parents will understand the centres believes before they enrol. Parents with strong issues about difference can therefore decide not to attend the centre if they wish.