Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 11180342
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED237508 AUTHOR: Kendall, Frances E.
TITLE: Diversity in the Classroom: A Multicultural Approach
to the Education of Young Children. Early Childhood
Education Series.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1983
NOTE: 111 p.
AVAILABILITY: Teachers College Press, Teachers College,
Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 ($8.95).
ABSTRACT: Regardless of the racial or ethnic composition of
their classrooms, teachers need to develop a multicultural
classroom environment in which they: (1) teach children to
respect others' cultures and values; (2) help all children
learn to function successfully in a multicultural,
multiracial society; (3) develop a positive self-concept in
those children who are most affected by racism; (4) help
all children experience, in positive ways, both their
differences as culturally diverse people and their
similarities as human beings; and (5) encourage children to
view people of diverse cultures working together as unique
parts of a whole community. This book provides theoretical
background and practical suggestions for teachers in
reaching those goals. Using a developmental framework, the
book discusses children's growing racial awareness and
their perceptions of other people. A complete resource unit
on affirming cultural diversity is outlined and includes a
wide range of ideas for activities. Setting up a
multicultural classroom environment is discussed in terms
of six primary aspects: language arts, social studies,
building blocks, dramatic play, music and games, and
cooking. In addition, there is an annotated bibliography of
multicultural children's books and a checklist to help
teachers determine which aspects of their curriculum need
more emphasis on cultural diversity. (JMK)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Classroom-Environment; Cultural
Differences; Cultural-Pluralism; Ethnic-Groups; Learning
Activities; Preschool-Education; Preschool-Teachers; Racial
Identification; Resource-Materials
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Child-Development; *Cultural
Interrelationships; *Multicultural-Education; *Preschool
Children; *Preschool-Curriculum; *Teacher-Role
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