How can i use pictures and images to teach preschoolers about differences and similarities?

Question

l have created a picture collection that shows differences as well as similarities between people. How can i encourage the children to regard these differences and to discuss them positively? Thanks!

Answer 1

Just having them up and about the classroom will be a good way to introduce these.  Changing them routinely...or moving them around the room will keep the interest high.  I find that 2 weeks is max that I can have a display up and keep interest...usually after a week and a half, they don't seem to even realize they are there.  

You could use them as a small group oral lanugage activity.  Discuss what is in the picture...how they feel about it...if they know of anyone who is that color...show where their ancestors would have come from on a world map...learn a little about their culture.  This could also be done at large group but it doesn't benefit as much as a small group discussion.

You and the other teachers having a positive attitude about it will go along way.

Good luck!

Answer 2

well try using the same picture collection but with diffrent pictures that will keep the kids entertained like if they are young like 4-8 and like dora the explorer or go diego go then use characters from them if they like dragon tales use that as a theme and so on use the tv shows kids like watching make it fun for kids to have fun and learn

Answer 3

Let them role play the pictures...Maybe they could chose one picture and then dress and act opposite of the picture, to show "differences"....then do the same for the similarities.  Preschoolers learn better by doing and hands on.

Answer 4

Ask them what they like about the pictures...have it as a circle time decision...children can talk about "i like that colour hair", "If i was small I could hide well", "if i was tall I would play basketball" etc etc...you can start it.

But be aware that by encouraging children to point outsimilarities and differences you dont encourage stereotyping or bullying.

Also-have the pictures on display-children can look at them in their own time. We have a display which says "people all around us" and has female firefighter and male firefighter next to fire engine, male nurse, female builder and male builder, children with carious ethnic backgrounds dressed in western clothes so they dont just see Japanese in Kimono's etc then pictures of basketball players who use wheelchairs etc...they are all positive imagines showing and are in the role play corner where children are encouraged to play pretend, dress up etc.

Answer 5

try thinking of fun ways of teaching them! children react more positively if they enjoy the activity / learning. hope i helped!