It is necessary to ensure that children develop awareness about inequalities and diversity at an early age to enhance respect for others as they grow. Respect for other people can only be fostered by teachers exposing students to inequality and positive ideas about existing differences. Trying to influence the development of positive perceptions after children mature is challenging. Children are exposed to inequality and racial disparities early from their community; therefore, it is necessary to model them positively.
One of the key points identified from the assigned reading is that teachers have a significant role to play in ensuring that children are aware of inequality. Young children are already exposed to inequality in their community; therefore, it is necessary to consider it in the classroom environment. As a teacher in the VPK classroom, I will have to develop strategies that will help inform young students about inequality early in their lives.
Another point noted from the assigned reading is that a teacher must ensure that children are aware of gender equality. A teacher has the chance to observe the manner in which children develop their gender roles; therefore, it can easily influence them to respect opposite genders (De Melendez et al., 2019). Waiting till students are more mature to inform them about gender equality might not be effective. As a VPK teacher, I will have to ensure that students are well aware of gender equality from a young age to enhance respect for opposite genders as they develop.
The assigned reading also indicates that a teacher has a role in ensuring that students have positive ideas about racial differences. This can be achieved by providing equal opportunities and using all-inclusive teaching approaches (De Melendez et al., 2019). A teacher can also promote positive perceptions about racial differences among students by providing diversified play materials. Fostering positive ideas about race helps ensure that children do not discriminate against others as they develop.
In conclusion, children are exposed to inequality and racial differences early from their community; therefore, it is necessary to model them positively. Teachers have a significant role to play in ensuring that students are aware of inequalities through the use of day-to-day classroom activities. Teaching approaches have to be all-inclusive and offer all students equal opportunities. Promoting positive ideas about race helps ensure that children do not discriminate against others as they grow.
Reference
De Melendez, Wilma. R., & Beck, V. (2019). Teaching young children in multicultural classrooms: Issues, concepts, and strategies. 5th edition. Cengage Learning.