4 Ways to Create a More Diverse and Inclusive Classroom

In recent months, the social justice movements that have erupted across the country have permeated every aspect of not only our lives, but the lives of children. As educators, we’re tasked daily with addressing important societal issues and conversations (whether directly or indirectly). And recent events are no exception. 

I’m Leslie Coleman, the education director of ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), the nation’s leading online professional development provider for early childhood education (ECE) professionals. Throughout my 25+ year career, I’ve developed professional development on a wide variety of topics, including creating more inclusive learning spaces that foster open mindedness among students and teachers. 

Studies show there are numerous benefits for children when you promote inclusion and diversity in classrooms, including critical thinking, creativity, positive self-identity, and confidence, all of which form a strong foundation for adulthood. 

Below are four areas (along with corresponding courses from CCEI) that can help ECE professionals create more affirming spaces for young children. 

1. Create a multicultural classroom. 

In the feel-good pop song “Everyday People,” Sly and the Family Stone taught us, “I am no better and neither are you, We are the same whatever we do.” 

It’s a wonderful sentiment, and certainly one that can and should be integrated into your classroom. 

A multicultural environment is one that supports and incorporates different cultural perspectives and backgrounds. Creating a learning environment like this is the first step to developing an inclusive and diversity-rich community with your students and their families. By fostering multiculturalism, you can sow seeds of acceptance and begin to teach students how to respect and embrace differences, which will serve them throughout their lives. 

We developed CCEI640 to help explain multiculturalism and anti-bias education to teachers. This course helps educators define the goals of multiculturalism, develop an anti-bias classroom and activities that can be immediately incorporated into your lesson plans. 

2. Promote diversity.

Repeat after me: “It’s a small world after all.” 

More than ever, our classrooms are microcosms that reflect America’s growing diversity. And it’s not enough to create a multicultural classroom — teachers should actively promote and highlight diversity. 

When teachers develop a climate focused on diversity and acceptance, children begin to understand cultural differences are positive strengths that allow all individuals to make unique contributions.

CCEI’s CUR111 focuses on ways to incorporate diversity into your curriculum and daily activities, as well as the way cultural diversity permeates almost every aspect of teaching.

3. Understand and erase gender stereotypes.  

Studies show gender stereotypes and bias begin as early as preschool. While most children recognize themselves as either girls or boys by age three, they are still figuring out their gender identities. 

That’s why it’s imperative teachers are aware of the impact of gender norms, as well as negative stereotypes — especially, any unconscious attitudes they might hold. 

One way to prevent negative practices is by examining our own biases, and understanding how and why gender stereotypes are formed and the ways in which they can impact children’s psychological and social development.

We developed SOC103 to help teachers understand the harm of gender stereotypes and learn strategies for promoting gender equity and equal opportunity in the classroom. 

4. Create an LQBTQ+-friendly classroom.

Data released a few years ago showed there were almost a quarter of a million children under the age of 18 being raised by same-sex parents in the United States. And that number has likely grown since the study was conducted. 

As the number of same-sex parents increases, it’s imperative for ECE professionals to understand how to create welcoming and affirming spaces for all children and families, including families from the LGBTQ+ community. 

CCEI’s PROF106 was developed to introduce common terminology and research data related to LGBTQ+ parents, their experiences in schools and help teachers identify ways to adapt their classrooms to be more welcoming for LGBTQ+ families. 

Creating a sense of safety and inclusion in the classroom is vital for educators. And in light of recent events across the country, it’s more important than ever for teachers to understand how to accomplish this. For more information and additional courses on this topic, please visit: https://www.cceionline.com

center down the street that’s not as good as you. You
know the value you provide. Pushy is not pushy when
you BELIEVE FULLY in what you sell.
Look, VERY FEW PEOPLE love, much less like (ok,
even tolerate!), the sales role. It’s a special kind of
person who is naturally keen to make the 9th follow-up
call. And yet, business doesn’t happen without sales.
Right now, you’re fighting for EVERY ENROLLMENT.
Don’t lose a single one. Double – TRIPLE – down on
your sales process and follow-ups.
If you truly believe in the value you provide, then
selling is not selling, SELLING IS A SERVICE to your
community.
Now here are a few tactics that’ll help you feel less
pushy:
Do NOT leave messages on ANY calls; when
you leave a message you put the ball in their
court. When you don’t leave a message, you can
call back 15 times and not feel like you’re being
a pest.
TEXT then call. When they come in for the tour,
ask for their mobile number so you can text, if
they text back, call them immediately!
Take a selfie with the family after the tour; text it
to them as a reminder so they can put a face to
a name. You can also take a picture of the family
near a cool wall/background or your sign — ditto
you can text it to them a few days later “
Hey, I
just remembered this pic we took!
If you’re feeling self conscious about taking a
photo, use this phrase “
Let’s grab a quick pic for
posterity so we’ll remember this little adventure
finding KAREN her first perfect preschool!
As a last resort, try this magic 10-word email
with a 1-word subject line:
Subject line:
hey
Email:
Are you still looking for the perfect
preschool for __child’s_name__?
Note that “
hey
” is purposely in small caps.
And you can swap out “
perfect preschool
” for
exceptional childcare
” or your own term! Also
note that we do NOT include a call-to-action, n
Leslie Coleman has over 25 years of experience in the early childhood education (ECE) field. She has held positions ranging from preschool teacher to professional development consultant for ECE professionals. Her training content is used to help educators reflect on and make enhancements to their interactions with children and families.
 
center down the street that’s not as good as you. You
know the value you provide. Pushy is not pushy when
you BELIEVE FULLY in what you sell.
Look, VERY FEW PEOPLE love, much less like (ok,
even tolerate!), the sales role. It’s a special kind of
person who is naturally keen to make the 9th follow-up
call. And yet, business doesn’t happen without sales.
Right now, you’re fighting for EVERY ENROLLMENT.
Don’t lose a single one. Double – TRIPLE – down on
your sales process and follow-ups.
If you truly believe in the value you provide, then
selling is not selling, SELLING IS A SERVICE to your
community.
Now here are a few tactics that’ll help you feel less
pushy:
Do NOT leave messages on ANY calls; when
you leave a message you put the ball in their
court. When you don’t leave a message, you can
call back 15 times and not feel like you’re being
a pest.
TEXT then call. When they come in for the tour,
ask for their mobile number so you can text, if
they text back, call them immediately!
Take a selfie with the family after the tour; text it
to them as a reminder so they can put a face to
a name. You can also take a picture of the family
near a cool wall/background or your sign — ditto
you can text it to them a few days later “
Hey, I
just remembered this pic we took!
If you’re feeling self conscious about taking a
photo, use this phrase “
Let’s grab a quick pic for
posterity so we’ll remember this little adventure
finding KAREN her first perfect preschool!
As a last resort, try this magic 10-word email
with a 1-word subject line:
Subject line:
hey
Email:
Are you still looking for the perfect
preschool for __child’s_name__?
Note that “
hey
” is purposely in small caps.
And you can swap out “
perfect preschool
” for
exceptional childcare
” or your own term! Also
note that we do NOT include a call-to-action, n

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