It is important for young children to recognize their own uniqueness as well as to become conscious of the cultural, physical, spiritual and mental diversity that exists. It is equally important for children to understand that their individuality should be embraced and celebrated by them. Additionally, children need to develop tolerance and respect for the differences of others.
There are many ways that schools can assist in the development of children’s attitudes both about their own identity and the identity of others who are different in some way. Through the actions of teachers and the atmosphere created in the classroom, schools can play a predominant role in teaching tolerance and respect.
Teacher Interactions With Students – A Powerful Tool for Teaching Respect
It is the role of the teacher to set a tone of respect for diversity in the classroom. Teachers must begin by recognizing their own biases and consequently developing ways of interacting with all of their students, which demonstrates respect for each student’s individuality.
There are several important ways of interacting with students that can help to create a classroom where diversity awareness and respect have a place of predominance.
- Address all of the students in the same manner. It is vital to show the same respect and consideration to each student.
- Listen attentively to all of the students in the class. Value the opinions and ideas of each child.
- Encourage all of the students to participate in group discussions and activities.
- Recognize the individuality of students and strive to address their different needs and abilities.
- Maintain the same expectations and confidence in all of the students.
- Oversee student interactions in an effort to be sure that students treat each other with respect. It is crucial to intervene when a lack of tolerance is displayed.
Enhancing Diversity in the Classroom
Another important way for a teacher to create a classroom that recognizes and respects diversity is by including classroom materials that reflect the multiplicity of the students within the class. It is important that there are books readily available that are representative of a wide range of cultural and racial identities. Seeing books that contain pictures that look similar to them as well as pictures that are clearly different will help children feel more positively about differences between themselves and others.
Additionally, a teacher can have an area of the classroom where he/she displays pictures of all of the students in the class. The pictures can serve as a means of helping to develop the self-esteem of the children. The pictures can also serve as a reminder of the diversity of the class, which should be positively acknowledged by the teacher and the students.
In order to encourage students to learn about all of the other students in the class, the teacher should periodically rearrange the seating. This will allow students to become acquainted with other children with whom they might not ordinarily socialize. Providing the students with an opportunity to interact with others who may be different than them is a positive way to combat any intolerance that may exist. Frequently, prejudice results from a lack of knowledge and acquaintance with those who are different.
Assigning group work within the class can further facilitate interaction between students. The teacher can assign diverse groups of students to work with one another. By having to work collaboratively, students will learn to interact with a wide range of people. Group work serves the added benefit of teaching children how to compromise, how to listen to others ideas, and to recognize that there is often more than one way to accomplish a determined goal.
Both within small work groups and within the entire class, a teacher needs to convey clear guidelines about demonstrating respect for each other. The teacher should encourage each of the students to voice differing viewpoints in a respectful manner and to listen to what others have to say. Whenever respect and tolerance for one of the students is not displayed, it is imperative for the teacher to intervene appropriately.
Activities to Increase Diversity Awareness
Involving students in activities that will introduce them to a wide range of people is an effective way to create respect for cultural and racial diversity. It will provide the children with the opportunity to become better acquainted and more comfortable with the differences of those from different backgrounds. There are many ways to accomplish an increased appreciation of diversity. The following are a few easy ways to incorporate diversity into the classroom.
- Have parents or other members in the community join the class as a guest speaker. This will expose the children to a variety of people.
- Take field trips that will involve learning about the culture of different groups of people.
- Do a unit in the classroom involving the traditional clothing, music, dance and food that represent the various ethnic groups within the classroom.
- Have students interview each other as a means to learn more about one another and their families.
Celebrating Diversity in the Classroom Through Self-Respect
It is important for teachers to recognize the need to help children to be comfortable with whom they are. By treating each child with respect and by acknowledging the value of each child, a teacher can help the students to develop or continue the development of healthy self-esteem. It becomes much easier to like and respect others when a person has a positive self-image. Every teacher is in the position to encourage the celebration of the diversity that exists both in his or her classroom.
Sources:
Biles, Barbara, “Activities that Promote Racial and Cultural Awareness”, PBS Website (accessed April 25, 2010).
National Association for the Education of Young Children Website, Teaching Young Children to Resist Bias (accessed April 25, 2010).
Davis, Barbara Gross, “Diversity and Complexity in the Classroom, Considerations of Race Ethnicity, and Gender”, Tools for Teaching, 1999.
Linda McFadden - I am a former elementary teacher. I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology and my master's degree in elementary education. In ...
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