Start Seeing Diversity: The Basic Guide to an Anti-Bias Classroom

Start Seeing Diversity helps teachers recognize and reduce bias in young children by illustrating one community's effort to create a responsive child care program.

Developed by teachers at Washington-Beech Community Preschool in Boston, this training handbook provides a framework for understanding bias among preschool children, reorganized for stand-alone use as a student text. Nine detailed chapters treat six areas of bias—gender, age, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, economic class, and physical abilities—as well as the goals and guiding assumptions of anti-bias curriculum. Accompanying discussion questions encourage readers to examine their own memories and experiences.

Perfect for pre-service and in-service teacher training, this helpful guide includes information-rich appendices containing:

Guidelines for challenging oppression and responding to incidents involving bias
A checklist for creating and assessing anti-bias environments
A guide to analyzing children's books
Directions for making photograph games like the ones used at Washington-Beech

The book also includes sample scenarios, details for classroom implementation, suggested resources, and guidelines for group leaders.

Ellen Wolpert is the founding director of the Washington-Beech Community Preschool in Boston. Ms. Wolpert currently works for Education Development Center, Inc., in Newton, Massachusetts.

Ellen Wolpert is the founding director of the Washington Beach Community Preschool in Boston. Ms. Wolpert currently works for Education Development Center, Inc., in Massachusetts.