Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-lgbt-families/5018362/
Building a staff team and community that addresses controversial and difficult subjects involves creating space where we can take risks; disagree with and honor each others’ perspectives; build strong, authentic relationships; and provide resources and support for ongoing learning. While accomplishing this in the context of supporting LGBT families brings challenges, it also brings opportunities for renewed growth, professional development, and deeper relationships. Engaging in this process strengthens the capacity of educators to fulfill our responsibility to support all children in the context of their families and their own emerging sense of self.
The importance of inclusion
One of the first steps is to understand why it is important to engage in this work. The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct states in Principle 1.1 “Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children. This principle has precedence over all others in this Code.” When a child’s family is rendered invisible, the child is harmed.
Silence has a powerful voice, especially when it excludes the people most important to children, the people who ...