An A-B-C of Ideas for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

(Written with Kristen K. Carroll)

​It’s Black History month, a time to honor African-Americans whose contributions to our country have often been overlooked in the past.  We celebrate the Black leaders who, despite many adversities, have helped our nation in so many ways.  
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It’s also a good time to boost our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.  We can do our part to ensure everyone’s contribution – past and present - is respected and valued in our classrooms and communities.

First, let's define diversity, equity and inclusion.  Here's what the terms mean to me:

• Diversity - there are differences in a group of people, such as culture, race, gender, family structure, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, and abilities
• Equity - we take into account what individuals need to be successful, instead of giving everyone the same thing (equality). 
  
• Inclusion - everyone belongs and feels they are a valued member of the group

​Now, here’s an “A-B-C” of ideas to inspire you:

A - Attitude
B - Books & Beyond
C - Classroom Activities/ Cool Ideas to Try at Home

Let’s dive in further!

​We encourage everyone to model inclusion and respect for diversity in your classroom, program, or home and in the community.  As we strive for equity, we can begin with a examination of our attitude. 

A – Attitude
Are we demonstrating that differences are to be celebrated, that everyone belongs, and that we can meet each child where they are, providing what they need to reach challenging but achievable goals? When we have an attitude of respect for others, we exude that mindset and demonstrate it to our children through our actions and words.

B- Books...
A great way to show children our attitude of honoring diversity and inclusion is through the wonderful world of books! 
Here are a just a few suggestions to reinforce kindness, inclusion, and respect for all. ​

3-6yrs: It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
A classic multicultural preschool story that shows an array of different shades and colors of people, that look very different from one another. This book is a wonderful vehicle for diversity for young children. ​

4yrs and up: Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
This book offers a preschool-friendly introduction to diversity.  It emphasizes that no matter what our customs are, all around the globe we share the same feelings and can relate to one other. ​

5-8yrs: I am Enough by Grace Byers
Not only does this book focus on being kind to one and other, it also encourages self-confidence and a love of being different. 

...And Beyond
​Another way to honor diversity and model inclusion would be to include depictions of or interactions with people of all races, abilities and other social identities throughout your classroom or home environment.  Are multicultural dolls and pictures of all types of people easily accessible to your children?  Do you provide opportunities for your children to interact with people from all backgrounds and walks of life?

C- Classroom Activities/ Cool Ideas to Try at Home
That leads us to activities to do in the classroom or at home. Here are some ideas for reinforcing kindness, honoring diversity, and encouraging inclusion:

• Provide a variety of cooking implements and pretend foods in your home center 
• Cook and discuss various dishes from many different cultures and countries
• Listen to music from around the world (and from different time periods, too), providing instruments from different cultures in your music center
• Encourage children to make life-size self-portraits, providing butcher paper, mirrors and art media with accurate colors for skin, hair and eyes​
• Entice children to play in all learning centers, going beyond gender stereotypes in the materials you provide in each
• At "show and tell", encourage children to share about experiences rather than possessions
• Read books flexibly, substituting fathers and other family members for the mothers in the stories
• Emphasize abilities rather than disabilities, and provide adaptive equipment for all children to explore

For many more ideas (and another version of A-B-C -- Anti Bias Curriculum!), see the book Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves by Louise Derman-Sparks, Julie Olsen Edwards, and Catherine M. Goins.

Here is a description of the book from NAEYC:
"More than ever, young children need educators who can help them navigate and thrive in a world of great diversity, educators who can give them and their families the tools to make the world a more fair place for themselves and for each other.
You can be that educator in children’s lives. This classic resource, now expanded and updated, is your guide to building a strong anti-bias program, including learning to know yourself.
Whether you’re new to anti-bias work or seasoned in it, you’ll find inspiration and support here as you walk this journey and meet and work with other travelers."

As we implement activities to honor diversity and inclusion, let’s remember to incorporate them year-round.  Avoid a “tourist approach,” where children “visit” other cultures only during holidays or special occasions; instead, provide activities that broaden children’s awareness of different ways of doing things.

As we are reminded to honor Black historical figures this month, let’s remember all the ways that we can show our respect for them – and others, in the past and in the present – throughout the entire year. ​