Let me share my favorite way of doing this. The books we used were Bat and Owl by Lee Waters. These are just a few ways to begin teaching young people how to accept and value others for their difference. We brainstormed the differences and similarities ⦠Ultimately, the goal is to create a more tolerant and compassionate culture for current and future generations. Both programs expose kids to exploring and discovery through hands-on activitie⦠All Rights Reserved. How do we get young children to accept differences? The difference between preschool and kindergarten is in the form of education they offer. Each session includes reflection time with journaling responses to thought-provoking prompts, and there is a pledge at the end of all of the sessions, describing what is expected of those who have been through the program. Studies show that ignoring differences actually makes discrimination worse. Hello again! Once students get the hang of it, you should notice improvements in vocabulary development, reading comprehension and use of reading strategies. It’s their way of acknowledging and valuing me. . According to contact theory, one of the best ways to improve intergroup relations is simply interpersonal contact. Proficiently identifying similarities and differences is to academic achievement as mastering high frequency words is to literacy. Kindergarten - Unit Four - Celebrating Our Differences Elaborated Unit Focus This particular unit encompasses several national holidays that Kindergarten classrooms usually celebrate and study extensively. This issue extends beyond disability. They use the same approach when it comes to teaching. Recognizing Our Similarities and Differences. Analogies Proficiently identifying similarities and differences is to academic achievement as mastering high frequency words is to literacy. They will begin to understand the definitions of diversity and realize that focusing on the differences alone may cause conflict. Students are challenged to “dig deep” into themselves and overcome real and perceived pressures in order to do the right thing. Three effective strategies for teaching about similarities and differences are using analogies, incorporating multisensory activities and providing graphic organizers. All of us are born unique with different likes and preferences, so there is no one way to be “normal.”, Child: “That person sounds so weird! This page outlines teaching curriculum ideas for Diversity, Differences, and Similarities as elements of the âCaringâ category of the Curriculum for Life component of the open source Education for Life Program.. Children are remarkably good at observing differences in the world. Teaching students about similarities and differences paves the way for them to develop important comparative, analytical and critical thinking skills. Ask students to write answers, "shout out" answers, or simply discuss student observations. What is a diverse classroom?A diverse classroom is one in which both the students and the teacher are accepting of all people, regardless of their race, culture, or religion. Sometimes ⦠This article from The Atlantic delves deep into the research behind implicit bias and how to break it down. Diversity activities teach young children to respect and celebrate the differences in all people. Have students compare the two items on multiple levels (e.g., physical characteristics, ingredient composition, function and nutritional components.) It can be embarrassing to hear your child ask questions about “different” people, but questions often come from a place of innocent curiosity. For example, "A similarity in the texts is that they are both about the squirrels. Draw a Venn Diagram on the board. Saturday & Sunday: Special Events Only. Teacher Reflections: Studies show that ignoring differences actually makes discrimination worse. Even though a pre-K or kinder student may not be able to articulate it, they are often put off by differences. When students contrast two texts, they are identifying the differences between the two. It’s helpful to encourage children to make friends who aren’t like them. When kids see “different” people in a positive light, they are better prepared to challenge harmful stereotypes. 2) Teach children to not be afraid to ask hard questions. Teacherâs paper bag and each studentâs paper bag filled with the following things: A picture of your Preschool and pre-kindergarten curriculums are similar in many ways. If a child says something potentially offensive, it probably isn’t intended to be harmful. Copyright © 2020 Bright Hub Education. This acceptance is evidenced by the books that are read, the activities that are completed, and the lessons that are taught. Program Length: Four 60-minute sessions. “Generally, children want to know why people are different, what this means, and how those differences relate to them. Use oral and listening skills during shared readings of the books they create back to top Tips on how to teach youth to accept, respect, and value differences: Generally, people are treated differently because they’re seen as “the other.” For children, anything outside of “normal” may seem undesirable. It’s best to be as honest as possible, and it’s okay to say “I don’t know.”, advises “children often interpret a lack of response to mean that it’s not acceptable to talk about differences. seem unlike them. . Adults can support children as they make sense of differences by talking to them about what they observe. Once these skills are mastered, students will have the metacognitive foundation for extracting and constructing meaning from information with automaticity. When students compare two texts, they are looking for similarities between the two. Elicit the words 'similarity' and 'difference'. The aforementioned is one analogy for underscoring the importance of determining relationships between words, concepts and ideas. Using their laptops they also found out differences via the Internet. . By acknowledging differences and similarities simultaneously, kids will find they can learn from people who aren’t like them. If you’re unsure about what to say, try: ‘I need to think about your question and talk to you later.’ Or, you can always go back to a child and say: ‘Yesterday you asked me a question… Let’s talk about it.’”. , one of the best ways to improve intergroup relations is simply interpersonal contact. ... 3. ... students about important parts of a story and define the words setting, compare, contrast, main character, main point, similarities, and differences with the students' help. Two student volunteers stand in front of the room. Each session involves exercises, activities, and deliberate reflection. Does it include diverse individuals and oppose cultural stereotypes? While adults may understand using nuanced language in reference to groups of people, children may not yet have the language or skill set to do so. By answering my students’ questions, I hope to help them see people with disabilities as more whole people. Review your child’s media and related influences. These activities make differentiating instruction easy and almost effortless. That doesn’t make them weird – just different, and different isn’t bad.”. According to. Young people mirror what they hear. Is may seem easier to shield children from challenging issues, such as racism, bigotry, or oppression. Don’t shy away from hard answers. Toll Free: (866) 402-4799 Now, if you are a parent, you realize how difficult it has become for kids to compete with others in school, and later on in life to be successful in general. Representing similarities and differences in graphic or symbolic form enhances students' understanding of and ability to use knowledge. It’s best to correct the underlying misconceptions behind their statement or engage them in a conversation about how their words could hurt feelings. It also helps them realize that weâre all humans, despite differences in how we look or dress, or what we eat or celebrate. They promote learning and growth in various areas using the âplayâ technique. It’s helpful to encourage children to make friends who aren’t like them. Three effective strategies for teaching about similarities and differences are using analogies, incorporating multisensory activities and providing graphic organizers. For little ones, I introduced the concept of a Venn diagram using 2 Hula-Hoops and index cards. Children should learn about diversity at a young age to prepare them to be members of an increasingly global community. For example, some questions imply that disabled people are sad or unable to do things for themselves. Provide a variety of graphic organizers to help students make comparisons. Does it include diverse individuals and oppose cultural stereotypes? 2 ... an introduction to just some of our differences and similarities that we share in a multicultural classroom. I picked these 2 objects because they are items that most students are very familiar with, and they have some pretty obvious similarities and differences. This can be a springboard for analyzing similarities and differences in a variety of contexts across the curriculum. Since individual classrooms and schools will have unique traditions, the activities in this unit focus on historical background and Be thoughtful about your own words, too. Start using analogies to analyze and experiment with word relationships as part of a game or other enjoyable activity. Elicit the similarities and differences between a 'pen' and a 'pencil' as an example and put the key words on the board in the relevant sections. 5 Nutritious Recipes to Try this Season, Preventing Bullying Online and Offline: October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Healthy Relationships: A Vital Protective Factor, Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education. Studies show that ignoring differences actually makes discrimination worse. Give students opportunities to practice classifying, categorizing and comparing things and ideas. It can be embarrassing to hear your child ask questions about “different” people, but questions often come from a place of innocent curiosity. Supplement them with text and pictorial organizers to address the needs of students of varying levels of comfort, ability and proficiency. Students will listen to a story that illustrates that although we have differences, we are also very similar. Activate prior knowledge about diversity by exploring the words different and similar 2. Kindergarten TEKS: (12) Reading/comprehension. On the contrary, Montessori style uses a fluid/unstructured approach where each student is allowed to express him/herself and the teacher adapts to the students style in order to impart knowledge. The parts of the body and Their Uses | Educational Videos For Kidshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OErgsaBWUC4A similarity is a sameness or alikeness. The group activity helps students to recognize similar and different traits between themselves and other students. Seize the moment to model empathy and make it clear that it’s unacceptable to use slurs, to use identity as an insult, or to treat somebody worse because they are different. By acknowledging differences and similarities simultaneously, kids will find they can learn from people who aren’t like them. Plus they simply want to know more. Happy Holidays from the Poe Center! If a child says something potentially offensive, it probably isn’t intended to be harmful. Increase the rigor by including activities that involve generating, analyzing and comparing metaphors, similes and analogies. 3. Students will likely struggle with this strategy initially, but proficiency will come with practice. Within any given classroom at any particular grade level, a teacher will understand that their students come from diverse backgrounds and will have unique, personal and individual differences. Teaching children to see similarities is important, but the goal is not to eliminate our differences. Teaching Leadership Skills to Children With Disabilities, Settling Arguments About the Best Language to Learn: A Writer's Essay. Generally, young people are able to recognize when somebody is being treated differently. Please accept this small token as a symbol of our BIGGEST THANKS for supporting the Poe Center and …, Happy Healthy Holidays! Learn more. My key concepts for these lessons were differences and similarities of animals that live in different biomes. People often wonder how to explain 3D shapes to kindergarten (especially when they have to be able to tell the difference between 2D and 3D shapes). Celebrating Similarities and Differences We read The Crayon Box That Talked and then discussed how differences make each of special and allow us to do bigger and better things... Teachers Week Teachers Corner Kindergarten Teachers Preschool Literacy Preschool Lessons Learning To Drive Kids Learning Counseling Activities School Counseling People in a variety of graphic organizers are sad or unable to do things for themselves learn! Using analogies to analyze and experiment with word relationships as part of a game or other enjoyable activity similar many! Between preschool and pre-kindergarten curriculums are similar in many ways groups to ideas... They can learn from people who aren ’ t like them similes analogies... 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