Use a critical eye to view your classroom as it exists to ensure there's nothing present that promotes stereotypes or bias. Look at your classroom surroundings from your point of view and the point of view of the students. Remove outdated materials and books with stereotypical themes, stories and pictures.
Bring diversity into the dramatic play area by incorporating multicultural puppets and providing costumes and dress-up clothing. Encourage your students to use any costumes or other dramatic play items without any concern over gender specificity.
Add wall hangings, pictures and photographs that depict people from other cultures, ages, abilities and ethnicities. Foster conversation about the pictures and wall hangings by choosing one each week to learn about and discuss with your students. Encourage questions to promote education and appreciation.
Create a balance between favorite books of the past and current books with anti-bias themes. Balance is important to prevent exclusion of traditional roles that might be what a particular child's family looks like.
Use a Star of the Week program to highlight each child, their family and any special qualities they have. Learning about each other as well as family traditions and customs expands the understanding of each child in the classroom and allows them to see other possibilities.
Invite people within the community to come in and speak to the children. Include men and women who work in nontraditional roles, such as a male nurse or female firefighter, to speak with the children to help remove stereotypical images.