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Please review ALL resources before sharing them with children to confirm that the topics discussed will work for the intended audience.
Understanding the Black student experience in the Canadian education system is an essential step in combatting anti-Black racism. This resource is a guide to support educators with embracing inclusive teaching practices in the classroom.1 This resource is publicly accessible, but the organization does ask for donations for this resource.
The College of ECEs developed this document to give an opportunity for educators to understand the importance of embracing diversity and culture in the early childhood education system. It is undeniable the importance of embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and social constructs in order to develop an inclusive world where children can thrive.2
This resource is a guide to:
College of ECE: Practice Guideline – Diversity and Culture October 2020 (PDF)
Culturally responsive teaching is defined by famous professor of education, Geneva Gay (2010), as “using the cultural knowledge, prior experiences, frames of reference and performance styles of ethnically diverse students to make learning encounters more relevant to and effective for them.”3 By understanding students and adapting to their needs based on their lived experience, students are able to thrive in the education environment. These articles will assist educators in having a better understanding of what culturally responsive teaching is and gives educators strategies on how to incorporate culturally responsive teaching in the classroom.
Accurate representation in books is important for many reasons including the following:
It is important to emphasize the word “accurate” as stereotypes are detrimental to achieving the goals of representation in books. When people learn more about others, they become more accepting and are able to embrace diversity. Sharing books that show people of all different races, genders, families, and more shows the true beauty of a diverse world.
Please see the attached document with books that have diverse representation from equity-deserving groups and Indigenous communities.
Conversations about Residential Schools
The tragedy of the Indian residential school system is a part of Canadian history. Canadians have a responsibility to share the truth about this dark part of history to honour the survivors and remember those who did not make it home. The following supports can be used as a guide in having this important conversation with young children.
How to Talk to Kids about Residential Schools
Monique Gray Smith – Talking to Kids About Residential Schools (YouTube)
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also referred to as Orange Shirt Day. This day acknowledges the painful part of Canadian history when Indigenous children were taken away from their families and forced into Indian residential schools. On this day, children and people around Canada wear an orange shirt as a reminder that Every Child Matters. These conversations are difficult and must happen in order for reconciliation to take place.
How to talk to kids about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Introduction to the Anti-Hate Toolkit
The Belonging Pledge
Individual Pathways
Introduction to Pathways for Individuals
Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Pathway
Stakeholder Pathways
Introduction to Stakeholder Pathways
Recommendations for All Stakeholders
Resources for Parents/Caregivers
Inclusive Practices
