Yolanda Cunningham-Young’s Post

How can we narrow the dream gap? it is the responsibility of all to explore way to foster inclusion . Regardless of gender,we all have dreams and barriers to overcome . Remember in any decent role or opportunity don't hesitate to provide a chance to a girl or a woman ,as they are equally capable and dedicated. what are you trying in your capacity to see how you can help that girl or woman close to you? share with us in the comments section

We want young girls to dream big and shatter glass ceilings. But this latest campaign from Barbie exposes the harsh reality - society is actively undermining (intentionally or not) their ambitions from an incredibly early age. The examples are disheartening: 🧒 By age 5, girls start doubting their potential 👩🦱 By 7, they're more likely to think boys are smarter 🧸 They get science toys 3x less often than boys It's a systemic issue of low expectations and ingrained biases slowly chipping away at their confidence before it can even fully develop. While this ad brings attention to the issue, it's up to all of us – parents, educators, and leaders – to actively challenge stereotypes, nurture girls' dreams, and reinforce their capabilities. Kudos to Barbie ® for using their massive platform to drive awareness. Now it's on all of us to turn awareness into action and #CloseTheDreamGap for the next generation. Let's get to work. Our girls are dreaming, and it's time we clear the path for them. 🌟

Hands up if you love Bluey 🙋♀️ And so you should. Bluey is one of the most successful Australian pop culture exports, with over 20 billion minutes streamed on Disney+. But it's rise to success is down to more than just its playful storytelling, vibrant animation, and memorable musical scores. There's actually 3 much deeper points that earn its position as a family favourite around the world: 🤷♂️ It guides fathers on how to connect with their kids:  Pop culture often shows extreme ends of fatherhood, but Bluey demonstrates the value of a fairer division of care 💃 It makes mothers feel seen and heard: Australian mums find Bluey’s mum Chili aspirational, so much so that InStyle Australia magazine used a headline to ask mothers, ‘What Would Chili Do?’ 👨👩👧👦 It showcases accessibility and representation for the whole family: Around 25% of Australians feel poorly represented onscreen, with 36% attributing their feelings to the lack of ethnic representation and 68% with a disability feeling poorly represented. Bluey has been lauded for introducing children and parents to disabilities including Dougie the deaf Cavapoo who uses Auslan (Australian sign language). There are so many actionable insights to glean from the show - from creating locally relevant content that resonates, to platforming awareness of people’s struggles and anxieties. Thankfully Canvas8, with the help of Liz Giuffre and Ella Chorazy have broken it down for you in their latest report. Get in touch today if you want to learn more!

The Genius of Play's Step by Step Sculpture play activity develops fundamental skills in following verbal directions, essential for everyday life and academic success! #geniusofplay #allabilities #disabilities #toys #play #toyindustry

While running errands at the market today, I came across boy-child co-ord sets accompanied by realistic-looking guns being sold. I was reminded of the Voodoo Doll experiment theory that I learned in school (Wefwafwa Allan, Ph.D - your class is still useful out here). The juxtaposition of children’s clothing accompanied by weaponry raises concerns about the behaviors we inadvertently encourage in our young generation, particularly in a world fraught with violence. It is important to foster conversations that delve into the societal implications of such marketing tactics. Rather than perpetuating notions of aggression, let’s explore alternative avenues for toy pairings, like watches, binoculars, or walkie-talkies, which not only stimulate imagination but also model safer and more wholesome behaviors. This reflection also brings to mind the recent controversial #Kleenit billboard that had to be pulled down, underscoring the importance of mindful advertising practices in shaping cultural norms and values. Let’s leverage our platforms to spark meaningful dialogue and drive positive change in the messages we disseminate to our communities. #ConsciousConsumption #Ethicaladvertising

🌟✨🌟 Curious Reflection 🌟✨🌟 In a recent conversation with another parent of young adults, the topic of the American Girl Doll franchise came up. My daughters received the doll Addy, a character from the Civil War era who was enslaved in North Carolina. "Buying" an enslaved doll just doesn't sit right with my spirit. As I reminisced about the countless trips to the American Girl Doll store for Addy's salon visits and lunches, it suddenly hit me like a ton of 🧱 bricks. What was I thinking? Addy, an enslaved girl, would never have had the opportunity to partake in the same luxuries as her fellow dolls like Kristen, Felicity, or Elizabeth. How could I have overlooked this glaring disparity? 🤦🏽♀️💭 As a matter of fact they wouldn't be able to play together, attend school together...Addy wouldn't be able to eat vanilla ice cream 🍦. It's a sobering realization, and I owe my daughters an apology for perpetuating this lie. Let's strive for awareness and inclusivity in all aspects of play and life. 🌍💕 #InclusivePlay #DiversityMatters #LearningAndGrowing Let's spark conversations and reflections that lead to positive change. 🌟💬 What are your thoughts on this? Share your insights below! 👇🏽 #CuriousReflections #AmericanGirlDollLegacy

eyeWitness to Atrocities has been a game-changer in the fight for justice! By empowering human rights documenters in high-risk areas with authenticated photos and videos, change is being made one image at a time. Get involved with eyeWitness and help shape a more just world: https://bit.ly/4fzQ8If

I was wrong. The child was right! As adults, we often assume we're right and children are wrong. But a life-changing moment taught me to slow down, listen, and consider their perspective. There was a shoe mix-up. It was dismissal time at school, and two children were struggling to identify their identical shoes, differing only in size. I confidently assumed the smaller child would take the smaller shoe. Despite the taller child's protests, I insisted on giving her the bigger shoe. She became distressed, refusing to leave with the incorrect shoe. She was practically dragged home by her nanny who came to pick her. The next day, the small child's mother arrived, confirming our mistake. She explained that she intentionally purchased larger shoes for her child so it would last longer. I felt embarrassed, surprised, and humbled. However, I learnt a valuable lesson. Children can be right. Their voices matter. They are intelligent beings, deserving respect and consideration. Now, my takeaway 🎯 Slow down and truly listen to childrens' concerns 🎯 Consider their submissions before making decisions 🎯 Recognize their inherent value and dignity We need to listen to foster: 🎯 Stronger relationships 🎯 Better decision-making 🎯 Emotional intelligence 🎯 Empowerment It's your turn now to share your own story of learning from a child. Haleemah Salaudeen Founder, Early Years Architect #listentochildren #positivechange #earlyyearsarchitect #thevisionaryeducatorsandparents #iamalinkedinteacher #linkedInforteachers #100dayschallengewithzuria

2 WEEKS TO GO! In just 14 days, The Big Test will officially be released on World Sight Day! I couldn’t be more excited for you all to meet Austin and join him on his adventure of resilience, courage, and learning to navigate the world with vision loss. This book is so close to my heart, and I can’t wait for it to inspire children, families, and educators across the globe. It’s all about raising awareness and promoting understanding for those facing visual impairment, and I need your help to spread the word! Comment below: What’s one way you think we can make the world more inclusive for children with visual impairments? Share this post and let’s make a big impact together as we count down to World Sight Day! Tag a friend who would love to read The Big Test! Image Description: Austin, a young boy with curly brown hair, holds the hand of a bearded man as they walk along a scenic path by the ocean. Austin is holding his white cane in his other hand, and they are surrounded by colorful wildflowers and greenery. The sky is blue with fluffy white clouds. The scene represents a journey of hope, growth, and resilience. Let’s get the word out and create change! #TheBigTest #AustinAdventures #WorldSightDay2024 #TheBlindPoet #InclusiveBooks #DisabilityAwareness #Braille #RepresentationMatters #BookLaunch #VisualImpairment #KidsBooks #EmpathyAndInclusion #DaveSteele

A beautiful video from the makers of Barbie about the dream gap between what girls feel they can do and what the world feels they can do. In this video it depicts how from the age of 5, young girls are already believing they will never be able to do certain jobs with conscious and unconscious biases breaking down their dreams. I hope my two girls never stop dreaming big and push to do whatever makes them happy in life. We can all play a role in supporting everyone across the world in their unique journeys to push boundaries, dream big and close the gap for the next generation. #inclusivitymatters #dreambig https://lnkd.in/euh9PzMq