Culture, Family, and Community StandarD 1 Children develop an understanding of culture, family, and community by: 1a. Demonstrating self-awareness,
confidence, family pride, and positive social identities.
1b. Expressing comfort and joy with
human diversity, using accurate language for human differences, and forming deep, caring connections across all dimensions of human diversity.
1c. Developing an awareness of the
functions, contributions, and diverse characteristics of their own family and others.
1g. Demonstrating a sense of empowerment
and the skills to act, with others or alone, against prejudice and/or discriminatory actions.
1d. Recognizing and describing physical
features of the classroom, home, and community.
1e. Developing an understanding of the basic
principles of how communities function.
1f. Recognizing unfairness (injustice),
using language to describe unfairness, and understanding that unfairness hurts.
Learning About One Another
Britnee teaches three- to four-year-olds in a private religious preschool program. At the beginning of each year, she likes to focus on helping children and families feel included in her classroom community. One way she does this is by sending home a piece of construction paper that children are encouraged to fill with photos or drawings or other representations of the things and people they love. With their families’ help, children complete the activity and bring the paper back to school to share with their classmates. Each child takes a turn sharing their favorite things with the class in whatever way they are comfortable, some with help, others independently. Following the presentation, each child’s poster is placed on display in the classroom. Britnee encourages the children to notice and talk about the things they see that are the same and different and share the things they are learning about their friends. She keeps the activity open-ended so children and families can participate in any way they want. This year, one preschooler drew his favorite superheroes with his mom’s help, while others shared photos and drawings of friends, family, and pets. These posters stay up all year and are frequently referred to in class. Britnee has noticed how much families enjoy this project and how proud the children are to share the things they love with their friends. The classroom community is strengthened and all families are celebrated as children learn more about each other.
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