This guide will help you answer 4.3 Evaluate the impact of own attitudes, values and behaviour when supporting equality, diversity and inclusive practice.
When working as an Early Years Practitioner, your own attitudes, values, and behaviour greatly influence how you support equality, diversity, and inclusive practice. It is critical to reflect on these aspects because they directly impact your interactions with children, colleagues, and parents.
Attitudes and How They Affect Practice
Attitudes are your settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something. When it comes to early years settings, this can significantly shape your practice.
- Positive Attitudes: Holding a positive attitude towards diversity will encourage a welcoming environment. You will likely create inclusive activities and celebrate different cultures and backgrounds.
- Negative Attitudes: If not addressed, negative attitudes can lead to cultural insensitivity or biased treatment. This can marginalise children or families from minority backgrounds, making them feel unwelcome.
Reflect regularly on your attitudes. Are there biases you hold, perhaps unconsciously? Being aware of this is the first step to ensuring that you treat everyone fairly.
Values and Their Impact on Inclusivity
Values are the principles or standards that guide your behaviour and decisions. Your personal values align closely with your professional practice.
- Core Values: These could include respect, equality, and fairness. When these guide your practice, you are more likely to foster an environment where every child feels valued.
- Conflicting Values: Sometimes, personal values may conflict with professional responsibilities. For example, if your personal beliefs do not align with celebrating certain cultural practices or holidays, this could affect how you include these in your setting.
Align your personal values with your professional duties. It might involve ongoing training or discussions with colleagues to ensure you are not letting personal beliefs hinder inclusive practice.
Behaviour and Its Consequences
Your behaviour is the outward expression of your attitudes and values. In an early years setting, how you act will visibly influence children and others.
- Modelling Behaviour: Children learn a lot by observing adults. Show respect, tolerance, and an open mind through your actions and words.
- Inconsistent Behaviour: If your behaviour does not consistently support inclusion, it can confuse children and contradict the inclusive messages you may verbally promote.
Always act in ways that promote inclusion and diversity. Ensure that your actions match your words to provide consistent messaging to children.
Strategies to Enhance Inclusive Practice
Becoming aware of your attitudes, values, and behaviour is crucial. However, putting strategies in place to improve them is equally important. Here are some strategies:
Engage in Reflective Practice
Reflective practice involves thinking critically about your work. This self-reflection helps identify areas where your attitudes or values might unintentionally affect your inclusive practice. Consider keeping a reflective journal or discussing situations with trusted colleagues.
Seek Professional Development
Continuous professional learning can deepen your understanding of diversity and inclusion. Attend workshops, participate in training, and read literature on best practices in equality and inclusion.
Foster Open Communication
Create a setting where children and families feel comfortable discussing their needs and providing feedback. Encourage open dialogues about diversity and inclusivity with your colleagues.
Use Inclusive Resources
Incorporate materials that reflect a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Storybooks, toys, and activities can all be chosen with inclusivity in mind. This helps children see themselves and others within the context of their learning.
Establish Clear Policies
Work with your team to develop clear policies that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. Policies should be reviewed regularly and be part of day-to-day practice.
Reflecting on Your Influence
After putting inclusive strategies into practice, consider how they impact the setting:
Positive Changes
Notice how creating an inclusive environment affects the children. You may see increased engagement from those who previously felt marginalised. Families might share more about their backgrounds, feeling valued and welcomed.
Areas for Improvement
There might still be areas where inclusion efforts fall short. Regularly gather feedback from parents, children, and colleagues to identify these areas. Self-assessment tools can also be helpful.
Adapting and Evolving
The work of promoting inclusion is ongoing. Society changes, and so do the needs of the families and children you serve. Be adaptable, ready to reassess and adjust your approach as needed.
Conclusion
Evaluating the impact of your own attitudes, values, and behaviour on supporting equality, diversity, and inclusive practice is crucial in an early years setting. Your reflections and subsequent actions can lead to more effective and meaningful practice. By embracing positivity, seeking continual improvement, and aligning your behaviour with inclusive ideals, you provide an environment where all children and families can thrive.
In summary, inclusive practice is an ever-evolving journey. It asks you to reflect, to grow, and to adapt. Doing so sets a powerful example for children and fosters a world where diversity is genuinely celebrated.
