ANTI-BIAS, ANTI-racisT, and inclusive APPROACH
At Stony Brook School we believe it is essential to create a learning environment which supports an inclusive, anti-bias and anti-racist approach to ensure that all children are able to freely participate and engage in their learning experiences. We strive to support your child’s developmental needs and honor their individual learning styles and interests. Additionally, we seek to empower children to recognize situations of injustice and to stand up for themselves and others. Children are capable of understanding multiple perspectives and can recognize unfairness. In the early years, children develop empathy by labeling feelings and discussing how a situation might feel to themselves and others. We can support children in conflict resolution by guiding them through the steps of actively listening to each other's stories, proposing fair solutions, finding consensus and taking action.
As EDUCATORS at stony brook school, we commit to:
Respect all children and embrace them as citizens of our community, while recognizing each child as an individual, with their own skills, contributions, preferences, thoughts and ideas.
Nurture each child's identity and sense of belonging, and accommodate children as necessary to support their learning needs.
Acknowledge that parents are the primary educators and experts on their child, and support the smooth transitioning from home to school. Recognize each child’s experience as both an individual and a part of their own family culture. Respectfully invite families to share cultural identities and traditions that each child and family may bring.
Implement an inclusive and emergent curriculum that reflects the identities of all children and recognizes their abilities and interests.
Incorporate classroom materials that represent different points of view and human experiences. Materials will be conscientiously chosen to include imagery and stories that represent racial, cultural, geographic, and familial diversity.
Support all children to meaningfully participate and engage within the classroom, and extend learning to challenge and promote the individual child’s abilities and development.
Encourage children to celebrate diversity and foster an appreciation for individual differences.
Refrain from grouping children by gender or stereotyping gender roles, expectations, and family constructs.
Reflect upon our own individual biases and be cognizant of how this may impact our work.
Provide an environment free from stereotypes and discrimination.
Empower children to recognize situations of injustice and to stand up for themselves and others.
Support children to develop the language and tools for conflict resolution, active listening, perspective taking, advocacy, and activism.
Ensure the safety and well-being of all children, as it is central to every aspect of children’s learning and development.