“Marit, can you pass me the skin color marker, please?” A question I often get. Without thinking, I pick up the salmon-colored marker. Nobody is mad about that. Recently I got this question again. Only this time they didn't get a marker, but a question in return. "What skin color do you mean?"
The conversation about origin, and especially white privilege, has been going on for some time. A very important theme, also at SKO. It is not without reason that SKO's mission is:
We want every child to be able to develop into a happy person in our society and that is why we offer a familiar environment full of play and experiences, where you can be and become who you are.
In addition, this year we will work with . at every location at SKO the theme 'Who are you?' to work. We identify differences and similarities and teach children about various habits and customs.
At my workplace BSO de Buren there are many children from different backgrounds. The children seem to pay no attention to the skin colors/backgrounds of children in the group. Yet I run into the fact that salmon pink is naturally referred to as skin color. Only, it's not that obvious. So it's time to discuss it.
When asked: “What skin color do you mean?” they looked at me strangely. “Just the skin color”, was the answer. I asked the child to look around. “What color is normal skin color then? Everyone is different,” I replied. The child looked around very consciously and looked at the markers. “Which I always have, the 'ordinary'”, replied the child.
During a meeting of Pre-School Education we talked about art and culture. We discussed how beautiful and valuable it can be to mix cultures through music or toys. Learning from and with each other about who you are and where you come from. That everyone can be proud of his or her origin. That each of us is equal.
Marit (pedagogical employee SKO)
