Sensitive and Respectful to all People

To expand children’s understanding of diversity, look for materials that correctly and appropriately portray people and their backgrounds. Young children do not understand concepts like “in the past” or “a long time ago". Pictures of people who are Native American should be contemporary, not pictures of a person dressed in the native clothing of 75 years ago.

Not all materials produced for children are appropriate. You should be especially careful with materials that are more than ten years old. Be a selective consumer. Throw out negatively stereotyped images and stories. 

Examples of materials to help ensure your setting is sensitive and respectful to all people include:

•       Books, pictures and materials accurately depicting men, women, and children of different family structures, races, cultures, ages, abilities, and occupations living their daily lives and solving problems (avoid any books that contain stereotyping roles and pictures)
•       Puzzles, pictures, and toys representing various cultures and non-traditional male and female occupations
•       Music from various cultures
•       Activities to respect cultural and linguistic diversity
•       Dramatic play materials encouraging a variety of gender play and role playing of persons in other cultures and with differing abilities
•       Male and female dolls representing a diversity of races, cultures, and abilities
•       Pictures representing a diversity of cultures and gender roles. Pictures will mean more to children if you discuss them before putting them up
•       Opportunities for children to experience a variety of languages in spoken, song, or written form, including Braille and Sign Language
•       Foods of different cultures for snack, lunch, and special celebrations
•       Activities to promote understanding, well-being, and acceptance of others

Related Training:
Supporting Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood Education
Cross Cultural Communication
Enhancement of Social and Emotional Development - 14 hours
Multiculturalism
Teaching Tolerance
Planning Activities Based on Children’s Needs