Teaching Children to Embrace Diversity

What do you think of when you hear the word diversity?  Are you overwhelmed by the number of ways we are diverse?  Skin color, national origin, religion, gender, language, disability, giftedness, sexual orientation, social class…  Which types of diversity should we talk about in the classroom?  How can we possibly be experts on so many things?  Should we focus on studying the cultures represented by the students in our classroom?  How can you bring diversity to life in a homogenous classroom?  What is the most effective way to teach students about diversity?

Teachers need to help students understand that people view the world in different ways depending upon how and where they grow up.  They need to be aware of their similarities and differences and understand that being unique makes them special and should be celebrated.  I enjoyed all of the pins posted this week sharing project ideas for learning about other countries and crafts that could help students develop a better appreciation of other cultures.  These fun activities are a great way to start a conversation about diversity in a positive and playful way.

I think that we should start the conversation about diversity by exploring the cultures, traditions and beliefs of the students in our classrooms first.  It is important for students to have the opportunity to explore and share their own cultures.  They need to enjoy the sense of belonging they feel when their classmates show an interest in who they are and what is important to them.  This experience will plant the seed of empathy and help them to understand the importance of learning about others.  This may also give families the opportunity to become involved in classroom learning and give teachers insight into the student’s life outside of school.   Over the course of the school year the circle of diversity can extend to cultures, languages and other differences not represented by students in our classroom, that they will encounter in their communities.

We need to find ways to help students understand the full spectrum of diversity.  Some of them, like skin color are easy to see and others, like learning disabilities and social class are more difficult for children to identify and understand.  Teachers need to make it clear to students that diversity extends beyond skin color and encompasses exceptionalities, sexual orientation and even life experiences.   It is important to remember multicultural education does not hinge on our ability to become experts on every race and culture.  According to Nieto in The Classroom Mosaic: Culture and Learning:  “The sensitivity and understanding teachers show their students are more crucial in promoting student learning than the facts and figures they may know about different ethnic and cultural groups (Nieto, 2000, p. 315)."  We don’t want to overwhelm students with data about different cultures.  We want to encourage them to be empathetic and aware of how culture and race impacts the way others experience the world.

Part of educating students about diversity is helping them to understand how differences, racial, intellectual or otherwise, influence the way people learn and view the world.  In order to meet the needs of a diverse population, students will not always be treated the same.  Teachers need to explain to students that fair is not always equal.  Fair means that everyone gets what he or she needs to be successful.  This picture will help me explain to students the idea behind treating each student differently in order to treat them fairly.  Students who are struggling with a concept will get the extra help or different explanations they need to master the subject matter.  Students who quickly master the material will be offered other options.  They are not being treated equitably, but the treatment is fair.  Ensuring that students understand why everyone will not be treated the same before it actually happens will help students accept the decisions that are made to accommodate their classmates. 

Teachers need to embrace diversity and passionately celebrate the things that make our students unique and special.  Our classrooms need to include materials and resources that reflect the full spectrum of diversity and allow students to explore different cultures and see their own culture included in the learning environment.  We want to encourage students to learn about the unfamiliar, to ask questions and build their capacity to see the world from the perspective of other people who have had different life experiences. 

We have an obligation to provide culturally responsive classrooms to our students where they feel safe and accepted so they are able to learn and grow as a classroom community.  We want to give our students the gift of knowledge and understanding so they can move our country closer to the dream of fair treatment for all people regardless of their differences.