Chapter 8: Diversity and Young Children Teaching Young Children Fifth Edition Michael L. Henniger Developed by: Kaye A. Marshall Mt. Baker School District and Whatcom Community College

Goals: Chapter 8 Study how people develop attitudes towards diversity Identify ways to encourage acceptance Discover inappropriate responses Learn to integrate diversity throughout the curriculum

“When we do not actively include, we actively exclude.” -L. Talusan

Video: Love Has No Labels https://youtu.be/PnDgZuGIhHs?list=PLls6ta6IkOC7tG_QE8Td5JZBZGycDykck

What messages about diversity can be found in children’s books?

Diversity Considered an essential element of early care and education in this text Directly influences other essential elements Child development Play Guidance Working with families

Attitudes Toward Diversity Racial/cultural Attitudes develop as early as age 2½ Gender Girls don’t have the same educational opportunities as boys (AAUW) Sexual orientation Prepare to address this issue

Attitudes: Special Needs, ELL, Religion Children with special needs Model appropriate interactions English Language Learners Positive attitude is essential Religious Diversity Spirituality: belonging, respect for self and others, awareness and appreciation of the unknown (to develop inquiry)

Encouraging an Acceptance of Diversity Begin with self-analysis Describe your own racial/ethnic identity Talk about differences Talk about similarities Expose children to diversity Plan for a variety of experiences with toys, materials, pictures, books

Inappropriate Responses to Diversity Ignore diversity The tourist approach Simplistic, stereotypic Isolated, discontinuous lessons Leads to belief that European American perspective is the most important Disconnects multicultural content from main curriculum

Integrating Diversity Throughout the Curriculum Antibias curriculum Four goals: Each child will… Demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social identities Express comfort and joy with human diversity; accurate language for human differences and deep, caring human connections Increasingly recognize unfairness, have language to describe unfairness, and understand that unfairness hurts Demonstrate empowerment and the skills to act, with others or alone, against prejudice and/or discriminatory actions

Integrating Diversity: Antibias, cont. Five-step approach Make a personal commitment Organize a support group Do consciousness-raising (self-analysis) activities Make a plan for implementation Move slowly and carefully

Integrating Diversity: Toys, Games, Literature Portray similarities and differences Games Natural exposure to difference cultures Quality children’s literature Find books that represent the children in your class AND introduce new cultures

Integrating Diversity: Environment, Experiences Visual-aesthetic environment Pictures, posters, art reproductions Artifacts, music Meaningful diversity experiences Bring diverse people to program Plan for informal and focused activities Carefully consider holidays

Integrating Diversity: ELL English language learners and the curriculum Acknowledge/support home language and culture Provide multiple ways to demonstrate success Understand that language learning can be difficult Involve families (NAEYC, 1995) VIDEO: ESL Bob https://youtu.be/s2C8aDlQJTY

Integrating Diversity: Individuals with Special Needs Develop inclusive environments Guide and adapt when needed Select appealing/engaging toys and materials Use assistive technology Strengthen social interactions Use prompts Collaborate with other professionals VIDEO: Susan Laughs https://youtu.be/Z4UxHj6XoWM

Integrating Diversity: Gender Language Carefully self-assess for subtle, but powerful messages Accessibility Encourage children to try new activities, provide novel materials, model nontraditional play Attitudes Identify and understand your own feelings VIDEO: Like a Girl https://youtu.be/XjJQBjWYDTs VIDEO: Transgender Child: https://youtu.be/kVmau1cM5TU

What do you notice?

Summary Attitudes toward Diversity Encouraging an Acceptance of Diversity Inappropriate Responses to Diversity Integrating Diversity Throughout the Curriculum