Schedule a Tour
(401) 783 3222
[email protected]
1150 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, RI 02882
Quest Montessori School Quest Montessori School
  • Montessori
    • Maria Montessori
    • The Education
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About
    • The Quest Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Families
      • Parent Education
      • Quest Community Organization (QCO)
    • After Quest
      • Our Alumni
    • Faculty
      • Employment
    • Board of Directors
    • The Blog
  • Programs
    • Toddlers
    • Primary
    • Lower Elementary
    • Upper Elementary
    • Middle School
      • Narrow River Naturals
    • Projects and Experiences
    • Enrichment
      • Visual Arts
      • Music
      • Spanish
      • Physical Education
    • Extended Care
    • Vacation & Summer Camp
  • Admissions
    • Discover Quest
    • Admissions Events
    • Admissions Process
      • Schedule A Tour
      • Application Forms
    • Testimonials
    • After Quest
  • Giving
    • Donate to Quest
  • Blog
  • COVID-19 INFO
  • Contact
  • Montessori
    • Maria Montessori
    • The Education
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About
    • The Quest Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Families
      • Parent Education
      • Quest Community Organization (QCO)
    • After Quest
      • Our Alumni
    • Faculty
      • Employment
    • Board of Directors
    • The Blog
  • Programs
    • Toddlers
    • Primary
    • Lower Elementary
    • Upper Elementary
    • Middle School
      • Narrow River Naturals
    • Projects and Experiences
    • Enrichment
      • Visual Arts
      • Music
      • Spanish
      • Physical Education
    • Extended Care
    • Vacation & Summer Camp
  • Admissions
    • Discover Quest
    • Admissions Events
    • Admissions Process
      • Schedule A Tour
      • Application Forms
    • Testimonials
    • After Quest
  • Giving
    • Donate to Quest
  • Blog
  • COVID-19 INFO
  • Contact

School News

  • Home
  • School News
  • Embracing Diversity from a Young Age

Embracing Diversity from a Young Age

  • Posted by Quest Montessori School
  • Categories School News, Books, Connected Home Learning, Montessori
  • Date June 4, 2020

We all want our children to be be peaceful and accepting of others, and it is never too early to start teaching them to embrace diversity.  Too often, we falsely imagine that young children do not notice what makes them different from each other.  However they do notice, and instead of waiting for them to ask questions or gather information on their own, we should be proactive about diversity education.  We can teach them that while there are so many ways humans can be different from each other, those differences (and our similarities) should be celebrated and respected.

Setting an Example

Our children constantly look to us as models for their own behavior.  We can take the lead by embracing the values we hope to see in our children.  This starts by educating ourselves.  We need to learn about different cultures and groups of people, confront our biases, and consider how they might be coloring our view of the world.  We can also read about current issues in social justice and act upon the responsibility we have to make the world a more equitable place for all people.

Read Together

There are many quality books written for children about this very topic.  Here are just a few…

Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Peña & illustrated by Christian Robinson

This book was the 2016 Newbury Medal Winner, and also received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor and a Caldecott Honor. A little boy rides the bus with his grandmother after church each Sunday.  His grandmother’s laugh guides him through the journey as they meet a wide variety of people.

The Ugly Vegetables, by Grace Lin

Award-winning author Grace Lin wrote this charming book for young children.  A daughter helps her mother in their garden, but becomes dismayed when she sees it is fully of “ugly vegetables” while the neighbors are all growing flowers.  The soup her mother makes and the gathering of neighbors teaches the value of differences.

The Sandwich Swap, by Queen Rania al Abdullah & Kelly DiPucchio, illlustrated by Tricia Tusa

Salma and Lily are best friends. One day, a conflict arises over their sandwiches at lunchtime (pita with hummus, and peanut butter with jelly).  The food that threatens to end their friendship ultimately binds them together again.

The Family Book, by Todd Parr

Parr’s books are simple, but his bright illustrations and straightforward story are perfect for young children. The Family Book highlights many different types of families, and ends by saying, “There are lots of different ways to be a family.  Your family is special no matter what kind it is.”

You Hold Me Up, by Monique Gray Smith & illustrated by Danielle Daniel

Smith’s website states that she “wrote You Hold Me Up to prompt a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with their friends, classmates and families.”

Experience Together

There are so many ways a family can have fun together while encouraging curiosity, understanding, and empathy with different groups of people.  Think about the activities your family already enjoys, and find ways to make those activities learning experiences.

Do you and your family enjoy cooking?  Try whipping up new recipes from different cultures around the world.  Preparing and sharing a meal is one way we all bond, so why not explore other cuisines?

Many cities and towns hold festivals celebrating the cultures of the various people who live there.  Music, food, traditional crafts, and performances can be a fun way to learn about another culture.

Does your family love music?  Visit your library to borrow CDs or find some audio clips online.  Music from around the world can inspire your child to sing and dance.  Grab any instruments you may have on hand (or make your own!) to join in on the fun.

Share Your Own Experience

Each family has its own unique history, heritage, and traditions.  Teach your child about their ancestors, where your family originated, and what makes your family special.  Offer to share these traditions at your child’s school.  Teachers love to have parents come in for special presentations.  Whether you teach the children to prepare a snack, sing a song, or read them a traditional story, every new bit of cultural learning gives them a broader view of their world.

Let’s open up the world for them, so that they may share it peacefully with each other.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
  • Tweet
  • Pinterest
Quest Montessori School

Previous post

Making Space for Children in the Kitchen
June 4, 2020

Next post

An Updated School Library
8 October, 2020

You may also like

  • Quest Montessori Middle School Estuary Field Studies
    Middle School Estuary Field Studies
    23 April, 2021
  • Reading Books - Caldecott Winners - Quest Montessori School
    Ten Years of Caldecott Award Winners
    9 February, 2021
  • 1 Primary Mixed Age Thread Needle
    Montessori Mixed-Age Classrooms
    28 January, 2021

Subscribe to
the Quest Blog

Sign up to receive the latest updates from the Quest Blog:

Subscribe

Blog Categories

  • Art (9)
  • Books (8)
  • Connected Home Learning (6)
  • Events (10)
  • Head of School Blog (16)
  • Lower Elementary (17)
  • Middle School (57)
  • Middle School Student Newsletter (33)
  • Montessori (15)
  • Music (4)
  • Narragansett Bay Study (5)
  • News & Notes (1)
  • Parenting (22)
  • Primary (17)
  • Quest at a Glance (9)
  • Quest News (71)
  • Quest Videos (14)
  • School News (74)
  • Toddler (14)
  • Upper Elementary (20)

Archives

  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • January 2017
  • October 2016
  • October 2015
  • January 2012
  • November 2011
  • October 2011

Quest Montessori School

1150 Boston Neck Road
Narragansett, RI 02882

P (401) 783 3222
F (401) 783 3229

AISNE Accredited Montessori School Rhode Island
AMS Pathway
American Montessori Accredited School

Non Discriminatory Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discrimination based on race, color, national origin...
Read more »

Title IX Policy »

Quest Montessori School · All Rights Reserved

  • Montessori
  • About Us
  • Programs
  • Admissions
  • Giving
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy