Inclusion, equity, and diversity is needed in our schools, homes, and community. When done successfully, we teach children how to celebrate their identity.
According to the article “Racial Identity, Academic Identity, and Academic Outcomes for Students of Color,” “Aspects of an academic identity and an academic self-concept are strongly related to and have an effect on the academic performance of students. Awareness of race and the ways in which structural/institutional racism affects students of color is key to helping them achieve their full academic potential.” (Howard, 2010)
With that said, all students (especially students of color) need things related directly to them in order to succeed to their full potential. My aim is to aid you and your child with the tools needed to service their continued success.
Here are five ways you can teach inclusion, equity, and diversity in your school, home, or community:
1. Be Aware of Unconscious Bias
Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness. Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups, and these biases stem from one’s tendency to organize social worlds by categorizing.
Examples include the following:
Teachers have preconceived notions about one group of students vs. another.
Teachers saying, “You have good English skills for someone coming from…”
Staff members say, “You live in that part of town? I would never go there,” if the child lives in a part of town that is deemed by society as crime-ridden.
When unconscious biases are made, it makes the person on the receiving end feel alienated. Thus, children are less likely to participate in classroom activities.
2. Be Proactive vs. Reactive
When you see an implicit or unconscious bias occur, you must say something. The more people are allowed to perpetuate unconscious biases in the classroom, the more internal damage a student might experience. Our job is to operate in a proactive mode rather than reacting or putting out fires. The way to lessen the fires within your program is to say something if you see it and teach the staff and children how to lead with inclusion, equity, and diversity.
3. Who are you exposing your children to?
According to Meissner & Brigham, 2001, children as early as three months old can distinguish between their own race faces but not other races. This information shows that, at an early age, children are able to differentiate between caregivers, parents, and family members of the same race. If you are only exposing your children to the same race of people, there may be ramifications that lead to non-exposure. Exposing your children to other races creates trust among other races for your child. Exposing your child to diversity creates a level of comfort among people who look different from what they do. Supporting the need for diversity in childcare settings for staff and children is important for your child even at an early age.
4. Anti-Biased Books
There are many children’s books that promote diversity, inclusion, and equity. Books that show children of color in a positive light. BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) authors have been promoting these messages of the importance of love for everyone’s differences and uniqueness. Books like You Come from Greatness, Hues of You, Callie the Service Dog, and Crowns of Glory are just a few to have in your program.
5. Anti-Biased Curriculum
Let’s get away from our Black History Month consisting of a coloring sheet of Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks. Let’s celebrate Black History outside of the month of February by displaying pictures on the walls of your home or classroom of positive role models, bringing in or visiting cultural community events, and teaching children the truth about history.
In conclusion, inclusion, equity, and diversity in school, home, and community help children become collaborative learners. These practices help educators, parents, and community members strive toward a common goal, one that embodies celebrating every child’s identity.
African-Americans have a long-standing history of fighting to be free. Juneteenth is a celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major Gordon General Granger told the people of Galveston, Texas, that the Civil war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This historic day is known as Juneteenth in the United States of America. Unfortunately, since the beginning of slavery African-Americans, in America endured the wrath of unfathomable treatment. Even when the emancipation proclamation was signed, it was another two years before any enslave were told of their freedom. This left the enslaved to endure more horrific treatment at the hands of their masters. African-Americans in the U.S have long suffered from the 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma, massacre to the civil rights movements.
Curbing Racism
Today, the whole world can see the evils of racism at work. Although African-Americans have experienced legal freedom, some of us are still held captive in systemic oppression. Churches like St. Anthony Parish in Sacramento, California, equip their parishioners with facilitating talks over race. FR. Martin Luther King of the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, says, “It is imperative that we get the conversation going with talks over race within the church.” He describes his home parish as predominantly upper-class white. Where he explains, his parish is 99 percent white and 1 percent black, where he is the only person of color. Problems of racism, “don’t just go away because there are no people of color in the neighborhood you live in. Racism is a global problem, which is shaping the world economically, socially, and legally”.
History in the Making
Since Juneteenth is part of African-American history, the U.S federal government has listened to the voices of the people, The wait is finally over, on June 17, 2021, President Biden made Juneteenth a Federal holiday. President Biden says, “this will go down for me as one of the greatest honors I will have as president”. Through suffering, “we begin to heal and grow stronger”, Biden says.
Are you stuck trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list? No worries, I’ve got you covered. Cratejoy just launched its Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales where you can find unique gifts for everyone on your list.
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Click here to visit Cratejoy and get your shopping done in one place at one time so you can focus on having “me time”, not holiday stress.
Each month’s We Craft Box features a unique theme and story about the crafts. When it arrives at your doorstep it’s a complete creative unit! All the materials needed are inside the box and can be shared between two children! With 3 crafts and easy to follow photo directions families can enjoy a stress-free creative experience together!
The details:
Next shipment is December 1st!
Send as a gift! The first gift box is delivered with a personal message from you!
All materials included (except for scissors) and can be shared between 2 children!
Great gifts for kids – targeted roughly for ages 3-9 years
Creative, imaginative, and artistic activities for the family – the gift that keeps on giving all year long!
Butterfly-Box
We deliver hand-selected items to help you live out your faith in the world around you. We also realize that with the business of life, your intimacy with Christ can suffer, so we bring quiet moments with God to you!
The Details:
Hand-selected items thoughtfully chosen for you.
Ten percent of our net proceeds are donated to BEAM Kenya who advocates fro the emotional, spiritual and educational needs of impoverished children in Kenya through their robust scholarship program.
5 to 6 items such as jewelry, artwork, books, decor, personal pampering items, faith sharing cards and other specialty items.
Christian products chosen to bring reminders of Jesus into your home monthly.
Each month will be designed to illustrate a biblical theme and encourage spiritual growth.
VictoryBox
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Price of contents always exceeds purchase price
Reading Bug Box grows as your child grows, developing their skills and expanding their interests
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Free
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Contains an adult coloring book plus an adult activity book plus a hard cover book from your chosen genre!
Confetti
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8 – 10 coordinated items sent to you every other month
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A subscription box for dog moms! Each box will come with carefully picked items geared to the dog mom and for the doggy! We support small businesses so we strive to include wonderfully curated products! This is the perfect box for you if you are overly obsessed with your pupper (s)! Each box comes with 5-7 items!
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Dog Mom Swag!
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My favorite things DIY Holiday edition showcases 5 DIY holiday crafts for the whole family!
Quick tutorials with individual links to each DIY mamas site.
DIT holiday Crochet
If crochet is your thing you’ll love keepingthecritters.com Ronni teaches you step-by-step how to start and finish your crochet project. Ronni is never short on ideas from kid’s costumes and fall decor. She has simplified crochet for even the non-crochet mama.
DIY holiday craft earings
Stephanie at Ruralruby.com offers a great post called 10 Christmas Gifts You Can Make. This post covers everything from earings to hairbows to picture gifts. Stephanie’s gifts are low cost, easy to repeat and can be done with the whole family in mind.
DIY Holiday craft nativity scene
You can’t forget a baby manger this season. This simple manger craft by Merri comes with the perfect size free pattern. The kids will have a blast creating and talking about the story of what the season is all about. You can find the free manger pattern here.
DIY holiday crafts for kids
Maybe you could make the holiday season fun with a unicorn party! Carolyn at partywithunicorns.com offers many ideas for throwing the best kid parties. She also has DIY tutorials and free printables that any age child could do. So when you have all the kids over and school is out through a unicorn party!
DIY Gift giving on a budget
Need to get your home ready for the holiday season? Enlist the help of your kids and head on over to mamaandmore.com where Kaylee has so many ideas for sprucing up your home. Kaylee writes about gift-giving on a budget with kids. Engage your kids in activities during the time off for the holiday season. Further, you don’t break the bank during the holiday season.
I hope you liked this DIY crafters holiday edition of My Favorite Things! What about you, what was your favorite DIY crafter tip or tutorial? Leave a comment below.
Are you a crafter looking to be featured on the next favorite things? Drop me an email, always looking for great ideas.
