An anti-bias curriculum that empowers children is based on the belief that differences are good and suppression of differences in ideas, behaviors and beliefs is not acceptable. This is the foundation for creating an environment that teaches acceptance of differences and resistance to holding and supporting beliefs that are biased and unjust. An anti-bias curriculum also requires teachers, administrators, support staff and parents to address issues that involve stereotyping or prejudice toward people's differences. This is necessary in all aspects involved in the classroom and school environment.
To support and encourage students' understanding of differences and building their own confidence in self-identify and differences, specific elements must be incorporated into school life. These elements relate to the way adults interact daily with students and other staff members. It also includes their attention to addressing biased incidences that surface between students. Teaching and practicing empathy, critical thinking and analysis regarding biased issues, and addressing bias situations confidently and independently must be taught and modeled for students. Human diversity and equal treatment of people is a good starting point for teaching children to apply empathy, critical thinking and standing up against bias independently.
Teachers need to recognize anti-bias issues related to themselves, the program used and the children they teach. Interaction between the students and among groups of students is one strong approach to developing students' awareness of differences. Listening to and communicating different opinions in social-academic work groups allow for exposure to diversity in a safe and trusting environment. Students begin to develop new understandings and teachers' incorporate innovative instructional techniques in the process of implementing the anti-bias curriculum. Students also build self-awareness through social work groups by asking and answering questions and discussing responses with the others.
Another method for implementing an anti-bias curriculum involves implementing specific techniques to reveal students' current beliefs regarding stereotypes. Observing students' interacting with others is one informative technique for gathering information. Teachers may pose questions regarding different groups of people; read books to students that address bias issues and hold discussions regarding the readings; discuss bias situations students have observed or experienced; and read about and question students on historic events that show groups standing up against bias are ways for teachers to gather information regarding students' current beliefs on diversity. Teachers can evaluate the information collected to address misinformation and teach tolerance in positive and supportive ways.