Teaching children about diversity helps them to understand that people can be different and the same all over the world. It also helps them to build character that will last for their whole lives. As childminders, if we talk openly with pre-schoolers about the differences they see then children are provided with a model of openness that they will learn to imitate. This is why doing diversity awareness activities with childminded children is an important way to demonstrate that you are promoting British values in your setting.
Free Downloadable Diversity Planning Calendar for 2018
Use this free downloadable calendar to plan to celebrate diversity with the children in 2018. The calendar includes the dates of some multicultural holidays, religious festivals for Britain’s three biggest religions (Christianity, Islam and Hinduism) and other big events with a diversity focus. There are lots more events than these to choose from if you look for them on the web and it’s best where you can to adapt activities to the children you look after. Suppose you look after a Jewish or Sikh child? Talk to their parents for ideas then search on Google for ways to celebrate festivals that are important to them. Write them on this calendar so you remember to celebrate them.
Free Diversity Awareness Poster
It is good practice to display photos that show racial diversity but it can be very hard to choose appropriate photos to display. It is not appropriate to show photos of children that reinforce stereotypes – for example, hungry children in Africa. It is also not appropriate to display pictures that show children wearing their ‘cultural’ rather than their ‘everyday’ dress. Children in Scotland certainly don’t wear kilts everyday any more than African children wear their ‘tribal’ clothing to go to school in. It can be very confusing to young children to see images that give the wrong impression.
These pictures of British children are all appropriate to display at your home, to discuss with the children, and give the right impression of a racially inclusive setting.
To receive your FREE A4 poster by email, sign up for my free quarterly newsletter using the orange box on my website and type ‘poster’ into the message.
Articles
How to ‘Do Diversity’ with childminded children without getting it wrong
So, you want to show Ofsted that you are “doing diversity” in your childminding setting… [read more]
Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Under Fives
From about the age of two or three, children begin to identify themselves as either boys or girls. And almost as soon as they label themselves by their gender, children start to form clear links to the different activities, toys, behaviour, and even adult occupations that are expected. [more]
Quiz Yourself
QUIZ: How diversity-aware is your language when it comes to talking about disabilities?
QUIZ: How diversity-aware is your language when it comes to talking about race?
Products that can help you
Diversity Awareness Pack
Printable diversity craft projects and printable diversity colouring pages to help childminders to teach 20 diversity topics including disability, religion, race, families and multicultural holidays.
Posters Pack
Includes Characteristics of Effective Learning Poster, welcome poster in many languages, diversity poster, weather charts, and a unique ABC poster designed by 26 childminders. Over 40 printable posters and other resources to make a great impression on Ofsted.
Supporting Documents
All childminders need to promote equality, diversity and British values at your setting. Read the Prevent Duty for more information.
More information on what inspectors will be looking for regarding diversity is available in these documents: the Common Inspection Framework, the Early Years Inspection Handbook and Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings.
