Valuing Diversity in Early Childhood Education, 1st edition
Title overview
First-hand stories from the field relate classroom experiences and family perspectives to give students a vivid, authentic picture of current practice and diversity among families.
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In My Family features provide individual stories about diverse family contexts.
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Classroom Story Corner stories relate actual classroom experiences.
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Broad coverage of the foundational concepts and definitions, coupled with six chapters on specific characteristics and facets of diversity provide the necessary background knowledge and sample teaching strategies students can take into the classroom.
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The six areas covered include: race (Ch. 4), language (Ch. 5), socioeconomics (Ch. 6), religion (Ch. 7), families (Ch. 8), and abilities (Ch. 9).
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An original outline of a spectrum of responses to diversity enables readers to clearly see a continuum of practices, attitudes, and behaviours related to living and working within diverse groups.
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Prompts encourage readers to make personal connections to their own attitudes and behaviour.
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Included are clear suggestions for moving practices to the most positive side of the spectrum (Ch. 3).
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A practical, applied perspective throughout the text supports readers in applying the best practices to value and include each child and family in equitable ways.
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Each chapter includes robust practical strategies for applying instructional practices that are culturally relevant and validating both in the classroom—Classroom Connections—and in partnership with families—Family Partnerships.
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Graphic organisers integrated throughout the chapters aid comprehension and provide opportunities and prompts for readers to synthesise material.
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Chapter culminating activities guide readers to examine their personal ideas and background in the context of the richly diverse world in which we live and work.
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Included are critical thinking discussion prompts and activities to promote self-reflection and interactive perspective taking.
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Table of contents
Part I: Foundations and Frameworks
Chapter 1. The What, Why, and How of Exploring Diversity
Chapter 2. The Development of Cultural Identity
Chapter 3. The Spectrum of Responses to Diversity
Part II: Facets of Human Diversity
Chapter 4. Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 5. Language and Nationality
Chapter 6. Socioeconomic Factors
Chapter 7.Religion
Chapter 8. Families
Chapter 9. Abilities
Part III: Bringing It All Together
Chapter 10. Supporting Individual Learners
Chapter 11. Teaching in a Diverse World
Author bios
Lissanna Follari has been a faculty in early childhood teacher education programs for 13 years and is currently Director for the Bachelors of Innovation in Inclusive Early Childhood Education with the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. She has written two textbooks with Pearson, Foundations and Best Practices in Early Childhood Education, 3rd edition, and Valuing Diversity in Early Childhood, 1st edition, both published in 2014. She began her career as a passionate educator for young children and families two decades ago and has taught toddlers through elementary school children. Along the way, Dr. Follari also served in child care and lab school administration roles, always promoting play-based, whole-child centered learning environments filled with wonder and beauty for children and teachers alike. She presents trainings and workshops at several regional and national conferences annually in addition to teaching and writing. Above all else, Dr. Follari is a dedicated advocate for joy and excellence in early childhood care and education; passions that are fueled by her most important role as a mother.