Running out of Glue: Scarcity, Equity and Autonomy

Family child care provider and consultant Kisa Marx got me thinking in new ways with this thoughtful post:

“When we think of equity, especially regarding resources and materials in learning environments, there is a single story that agency over the items intended for a child’s use is an act of privilege and cannot be duplicated in spaces where the resources are in short supply. Whether you have gallons of glue or one bottle to share between 3-4 children, remember not how much or little you have but how much or little control you are imposing on those items. Sometimes, it is not scarcity of resources between the children and the material but scarcity of mindset.”

Marx invites us to consider a few things:

• Who dictates what is being used and what places it is acceptable to use them?
• Are the materials on [the children’s] level or out of reach?
• Do they have to ask for permission to use them?

“Once you have answered those questions, where do you have space to modify? Do the children have an understanding of how the materials are to be used and of the natural consequences of not using them as expected? (e.g. ‘There are only four bottles of glue. When they run out, we cannot get more until ___.’)

“Conditions and resources will vary from space to space. Still, we want our children to feel empowered to use the materials they do have without needing them rationed, as this behavior is as inequitable as not having them at all. Instead, let’s get creative, let’s take a breath, and let’s model how we can responsibly utilize the available items.”

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