Equal oppoprtunites activity?

Question

can anybody give me a good activity to promote equal opportunities and promote diversity to the children in my care?

Answer 1

You are putting way too much on these children (and the questions makes you sound as if you are not as up-to-date on age-appropriate activities).  Children under the age of about 18mo/24mo should be learning by their environment.  An organized "activity" at this age would be a waste of your time.

Make sure their environment includes:

dolls, toys, books, music, posters, decorations, etc. of diverse peoples and in other languages.  

You can get multicultural posters at any teacher store, books in other languages at most large bookstores, and of course, music from around the world which you can find most anywhere.  There are education-supply catalogs that I have seen that carry multicultural dolls, etc.  You want dolls that are soft for toddling kids to carry so if they fall they won't poke themsleves with a hard plastic arm.

You can also serve snacks that are age-appropriate but perhaps have a more multi-ethnic taste to it.

And model what you are trying to teach -  treat each child equally and fairly.   At this age that is the best type of 'education'.

Answer 2

Sign language for babies. I taught my baby the sign for 'water' and it was the best thing I ever did, he never goes thirsty.  Suitable for ages 6 months and up, keep it simple.

Answer 3

For infant children, there isn't much you can do. Unless you ask for Asians, whites, and blacks to enroll their children at the same time, there is nothing you can do.

If you really feel this is something you want to do, the most I can suggest is bringing in dolls of different ethnic backgrounds. When I once worked in the infant and toddler classrooms, we were directed to do that. This way the children will have to opportunity to realize that there are different colors/facial features and that it's alright to play with them.

Other than something like that, there isn't much you can do. Just be sure they play together, and you engage in activities with them.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

Use books, posters, puzzles and stories which show positive images of adults and children across a wide range of cultures. Stories should reflect the cultural diversity of the country in which you live, as well as introducing the children to stoires from other countries as well.

Use home corner equipment that includes a variety of toys and materials that children would come across in their own varied cultures, such as dressing up clothese from a range of cultures, dolls of mixed races, utensils and cutlery common to different cultures.

Practical activities including painting should enable all children to participate & represent themselves and their culture. Skin coloured paints and collage materials could also be used.

Cooking is an ideal opportuntity to introduce foods from other cultures to the majority groups within the setting. The self estreem of children from minority groups will be enhanced by the use of food that is familiar to them.

Music can cut across other barriers to communication including language differences. The music & songs can reflect a variety of cultures and languages.