Discrimination
Materials needed:
Typical stations in the classroom, pictures of sneakers, flip-flops, red shirt, white shirt, blue shirt, dress, shorts, skirt, and blue jeans. On each of these pictures draw a large 'no' sign; a circle with a slash through it.
What to do:
For this activity, allow it to be an all day experience. Place these 'no' pictures throughout the classroom on different stations or on different items in the classroom. Explain to the children that if they are wearing that article of clothing they cannot play in that station or use that item. Note the children's reactions when they cannot use something today that they were allowed to use just yesterday. To elaborate on this make it a two day activity and change the stations that the children cannot use. Some of the children may intentionally not wear a certain article of clothing but find that this did not benefit them, that no matter what they couldn't use that item. Follow up with the children (if it is done for two days follow up at the end of each day). Allow the children to express what they feel and use this opportunity to discuss why discrimination is wrong.*
As an extension for slightly older children use physical attributes, hair color, eye color, height, or skin color.
Who is this for?:
This activity is appropriate for ages three to six. For three to four year old children they become better at noticing differences among people; they can identify and match people according to their physical characteristics, they are susceptible to believing stereotypes, and they can make false associations and overgeneralize. - This activity will allow them to see that stereotypes can affect people and that judging someone by their physical characteristic can be hurtful. For children five to six years old, they tend to understand cultural identity and enjoy exploring cultural heritage of classmates. At this age children can identify stereotypes and decipher between what is fair and unfair. With this age, the extension of the activity could work, using physical attributes instead of clothing can allow the children to really feel that something that they cannot control is being judged and it isn't fair. (York Pg. 21)
Goals:
For goal number one this activity allows children to recognize their own physical features and style of dress. For goal number two it allows children to accept others who are different from themselves, explore similarities and differences of others, understand that all people need respect, show empathy for others and experience human diversity in various ways. Goal number three, this activity allows children to recognize a stereotype, recognize prejudice, recognize that some people treat others differently because of differences, recognize that rejecting others can hurt them, and recognize that people within a group are not all alike. Goal number four, this activity allows children to cooperate with others, take personal responsibility in social situations, and work cooperatively with others. (York Pages 138-142)
*Recognize, appreciate, and respect the uniqueness, beauty, value and
contribution of each child. ~
*Increase children's ability to interact, talk and play with people who are
different from them.
*Increase children's ability to interact, talk and play with people who are
different from them.
(Ch. 7 Handout)
The Sneetches is about two types of creatures, separated by having or not having stars on their bellies. The Star-Belly Sneetches think they are the best, and look down upon Sneetches without stars. The Plain-Belly Sneetches remain depressed and oppressed, prohibited from associating with their star-bellied counterparts, until Sylvester McMonkey McBean comes along with his Star-on and Star-off machines. He begins to give stars to the Plain-Belly Sneetches, and soon they are happy, for they look like their elite counterparts. The original Star-Belly Sneetches are angry at no longer being different and special, so they get Sylvester to remove all their stars. This continues back and forth until no one can remember which Sneetches were originally what, and an epiphany strikes them all at once: that it really doesn’t matter whether a Sneetch has a star belly or not - they are all really the same, and can coexist and be friends with one another.*
This story is really inspirational because it brings to light many differences among people in a fun and exciting way. Each page beings with "It's okay to..." and discusses a wide range of differences including, size, family type, ethnicity, disability, and body image. Overall, it promotes social acceptance among all people and gives children the chance to think about and recognize their unique differences.*
Conclusion:
This activity actually reminds me of the experiment done by Mrs. Jane Elliot did with her third grade class, brown eyes/blue eyes. This activity is condensed and made to where it is appropriate for preschool aged children but it has the same effect. Children feel that something they can't control (or something they enjoy, like their favorite blue dress) is something that isn't allowed in order for him/her to be accepted. I feel that this would be a good eye opener for a classroom where discrimination is an issue; it can really help children to see that they are not being fair with their fellow classmates based on something physical. I hope to use this activity someday with my own classroom.
Citations:
-Microsoft clip art: red shirt, flip flops, ‘no’ sign
-Google images: Sneetches, It’s Okay To Be Different.
-Activity Idea:
-It’s okay to be different summary
-Sneetches Summary
