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Interracial Activities for a Preschool Classroom

Preschool-aged children are very sensitive to differences in appearance amongst people, but do not always understand why people look different. With a little help, they can understand that, even though someone looks different, people are all the same on the inside. There are many simple activities that can be done in preschool classrooms and daycare centers to help teach diversity to young children.
  1. Multicultural Book

    • Have children create a multicultural book using construction paper and old magazines. Children should cut out magazine pictures of people from as many races and cultures as they can find. Old issues of National Geographic work well for this activity. They then glue the pictures onto pieces of construction paper and dictate a sentence about the picture to an adult, who writes it on the paper. Once finished, staple the book together or punch holes and secure the pages with ribbon or yarn.

    Joining Hands

    • Have children trace their hands on construction paper in black, white, yellow, red and brown to represent different skin tones. Cut out the hand prints and glue them together in a long chain. Explain to children how people of different colors need to join together to create a peaceful world.

    Music and Dance

    • Invite students' families to bring in music that reflects their cultural heritage. Listen to the music with the children and explain that all people like listening to and making music, but some cultures make different music than others. If possible, have students' family members teach the class songs and dances from their own cultures.

    Skin Color Match-Ups

    • Put out knee-high nylon stockings in various colors, including tan, black, white, pink, yellow and red. Have children put the stockings on their arms or legs. Ask questions to help increase awareness of different skin tones, such as, "Can you find a stocking that matches your skin?" or "Try the (color) stocking on. Is it lighter or darker than your own skin?"

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