1. Friends (Diversity) Resource Unit By Barb Holmgren Preschool

2. Table of Contents n Introduction n State Content Standards Objectives n Content n Lesson Objectives & Activities n Vocabulary n Evaluation n Instructional Resources

3. Introduction This resource unit is designed to help young children explore the similarities and differences between people. It will provide experiences for the children to learn about specific disabilities such as autism. Hopefully it will foster positive interactions between differently abled peers.

4. Objectives State Content Standards n Develop a sense of belonging to different groups (e.g., family, groups of friends, preschool class, boys or girls). n Gain information through participation in experiences with objects, media, books and engaging in conversations with peers. n Represent ideas through multiple forms of language and expression (e.g., drawing, dramatic play, conversation, art media, music, movement, emergent writing).

5. Content Objective: To become aware of differences and similarities between people and begin to develop positive attitudes about people with differing abilities. During circle times the children will have various opportunities to learn about themselves and others. They will participate in music, art, and drama activities to support their learning. Through supported play interactions, the children will have opportunities to interact with children of varying abilities. Accurate and developmentally appropriate information about disabilities will be presented.

6. Lesson 1 Objective: To learn about similarities and differences of eye color. n Sing: Do You Know This Friend of Mine? (Tune: Muffin Man) (Tune: Muffin Man) n Have the children look at their eye color in a mirror. Make a simple graph showing the eye color of everyone in the classroom. Talk about whose eyes are the same color and whose eyes are different. n Read a simple friend book such as Titch and Daisy by Pat Hutchins. n During playtime, carefully structure play groups with differently abled peers and provide support for successful interactions. Make it Fun! (Continue this strategy everyday) (Continue this strategy everyday)

7. Lesson 2 Objective: To learn about similarities and differences of hair, including color, length and texture. n Sing: Be My Friend n Have the children look at their hair in a mirror. Make a simple graph showing the hair color, length, and texture of everyone in the classroom. Talk about the things children have in common. n Read a simple friend book such as My Friend Bear by Jez Alborough Prepare a PowerPoint game where the children count pictures of their peers. The children will move the mouse over a number and the corresponding number of children’s pictures appear for them to count. Prepare a PowerPoint game where the children count pictures of their peers. The children will move the mouse over a number and the corresponding number of children’s pictures appear for them to count.

8. Lesson 3 Objective: To learn about similarities and differences of skin color. of skin color. n Sing: Glad to Have a Friend Like You n Get paint chips from a local store. Help the children identify which one is closest to their skin color. identify which one is closest to their skin color. n In the art area, work with each child and help them mix their own unique color. n Make paper plate puppets. Have each child paint a paper plate with their own special color. Using various art materials such as yarn, raffia, ribbon, fuzzy pipe cleaners, beads, etc., help each child create a puppet that “looks just like them”. During this process use the graphs and mirror again. Extend the lesson, matching lip color. Some of the children may want to paint teeth; white-out works good for this. For nappy hair, it works well to wrap fuzzy pipe cleaners around a pencil. Beads and bows may be added according to what the children see in the mirror. (This project may take several weeks.)

9. Lesson 3 Objective: To celebrate our similarities and differences through music and drama. Sing: Be My Friend and Glad to have a Friend Like You. Add motions with the puppets the children have made. Practice and share with others. Sing: Be My Friend and Glad to have a Friend Like You. Add motions with the puppets the children have made. Practice and share with others.

10. Lesson 4 n Sing: We Have a Friend using each child’s name. n At circle time, talk about what each child is good at. Make a class list. n Read: Will You Be My Friend? n Make a “Friends” book. Take each child's picture with a digital camera. Using the computer put one child’s picture on each page with a simple description of what they look like and what they are good at. Ex: This is John. He has short brown hair and brown eyes. John is good at knocking down block towers. Laminate the book and place in the library area. Read it often, both to individual children and at group times.

11. Lesson 5 Objective: To provide specific information about a disability. n Read Andy and his Yellow Frisbee. This book tells the story of what happens when a new girl tries to befriend Andy, a boy with autism. Adapt as needed for your classroom. Depending on your situation, you may want to read this book to small groups of children. n Always model ways to interact. n Use dolls or puppets to provide information about a disability. n Provide experiences that help teach about disabilities as appropriate for your class. Ex; Young children may need supervised opportunities to try out specific communication devices and adaptive equipment.

12. Vocabulary n friend n same n different n short n long n autism or other correct terminology as needed for your classroom.

13. Evaluation Teacher observation and anecdotal logs should be used to document progress. Use the camera to help document play interactions. Related art projects may be kept in a portfolio or photographed. All children should be able to participate in classroom activities in some way. Just sitting in the classroom is not good enough. Positive attitudes are fostered through positive experiences.

14. Teacher resources Carpenter, E. S., Diamond, K.E., Hestenes, L. L., & Innes, F. K. (1997). Relationships between enrollment in an inclusive class and preschool children’s ideas about people with disabilities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 17, Retrieved January 29, 2005, from Academic Search Premier database. Cross, A. F., Hutter-Pishgahi, L., Shelton, G., & Traub, E. K. (2004). Elements of successful inclusion for children with significant disabilities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 24, Retrieved January 29, 2005, from Academic Search Premier database. Derman-Sparks, L. (2001 chap. 5). Anti-bias curriculum tools for empowering young children. Washington DC: National Association for the Education of Young National Association for the Education of YoungChildren.

15. Teacher Resources cont. Diamond, K.E. & Stacey, S. (2003). The other children at Preschool. Experiences of typically developing children in inclusive programs. In C. Copple (Ed.), A world of difference (pp.135-139). Washington DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. Diamond, K. E. (2001). Relationships among young children’s ideas, emotional understanding, and social contact with classmates with disabilities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 21, Retrieved January 29, 2005, from Academic Search Premier database. Garfinkle, A.N., & Schwartz, I. S. (2002). Peer imitation: increasing social interactions in children with autism and other developmental disabilities in inclusive preschool classrooms. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 22, Retrieved January 29, 2005, from Academic Search Premier database.

16. Books about Autism Russell Is Extra Special by Amenta III, M.D This book describes the daily life, likes and dislikes, And habits of a boy with autism. It could be used by parents or teachers to help children learn about autism. The pictures are all natural photos. Looking after Louis. By L. Ely This book would be very helpful for a kindergarten or first grade classroom. It describes what happens when a new boy with autism joins a classroom, and the children try to understand his world and include him in theirs. Ian’s walk by L. Lears This book was written for siblings of children with autism. It tells the story of when a young girl realizes how much she cares about her brother with autism when he gets lost in the park.

17. More Books About Autism Andy and his Yellow Frisbee by M. Thompson This book tells the story of what happens when the new girl at school tries to befriend Andy, a boy with autism, who spends every recess by himself, spinning a yellow Frisbee. The text can be simplified and used with preschool children. Talking to Angels by E. Watson The narrator of this book is the sister of a girl with autism. It is written as a tribute to her sister. The text is very simple and moving.

18. Books about other Disabilities A-B-C-ing: An Action Alphabet by Bellet This is a great alphabet book showing children with various disabilities being active. Like Me by Brightman This book is about a developmentally delayed child. It is written from the child’s viewpoint. It is written from the child’s viewpoint. Our Brother has Down’s Syndrome by Cairo This book does a nice job of talking about a child with Down’s Syndrome. My Friend Jacob by Clifton In this book, a child tells about his best friend who is developmentally delayed.

19. More Books About Disabilities Jo, Flo, and Yolanda by DePoix This book helps children explore the similarities and differences between friends. Grandma’s Wheelchair by Henriod This is a nice book showing an active grandma in a wheelchair. Catching by Jensen This book has pictures to feel. Great for both blind and sighted children. Don’t Forget Tom by Larson This story is about a child with developmental delays

20. More Books About Disabilities I Have a Sister, My Sister Is Deaf by Peterson This is a nice book that explores both sibling relationships and being deaf. About Handicaps by Stein A typically developing child faces his fears about a friend with a disability. This book covers a very important topic that is not usually addressed in children’s literature. All About Me/Let’s Be Friends by Weissman This book is appropriate for very young children. It shows children from various races and children with disabilities.

21. Books About Friends for Young Children My Friend Bear by Alborough This is one of my favorite children’s books. A young boy and a bear are initially afraid of each other and then find out that they have many things in common. Titch and Daisy by Hutchins This book is about facing fears and joining in to make new friends. One Duck Stuck by Root This is a wonderful counting and rhyming book about cooperation. Will You Be My Friend? by Tafuri A gentle story about a bunny and a bird helping each other.