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Building belonging: A toolkit for early childhood educators

Discover how early childhood educators can create inclusive learning environments and respond effectively to discrimination and prejudice in culturally diverse

EducationTraining Tool 05 July 2016

Summary

Learn how to create an inclusive learning environment for children and how to respond to discrimination. This is a toolkit for early childhood educators on cultural diversity and responding to prejudice.

A collage of all the front cover images of the Building Belonging toolkit

Building Belonging: Full Toolkit

‘Building Belonging' is a comprehensive toolkit of early education resources which includes an eBook, song with actions, educator guide, posters and lesson plans. It is focused on encouraging respect for cultural diversity and tackling racial prejudice in early childhood settings.

You can download the full toolkit in either PDF or Word documents as a ZIP file by accessing the "Building Belonging Toolkit PDF" and "Building Belonging Toolkit Word" links. Alternatively, on this page you will find the download links for each individual resource from the toolkit.

2016

Building Belonging Toolkit PDF (23 MB)

Building Belonging Toolkit Word (38 MB)

All My Friends and Me eBook front cover

eBook: All My Friends and Me

‘All My Friends and Me' is an eBook that tells the story of Pax and her friends at preschool as they explore their similarities and differences.

Online eBook All My Friends and Me (note this eBook will open in a new tab)

(1.12 MB)

Song action sheet cover image

Song: Colours of Australia

‘Colours of Australia' is a song celebrating the diversity of Australia. There is an accompanying poster that demonstrates actions that complement the song.

(2.19 MB)

Please note this file will open in the same browser tab as this page and will play automatically

The song poster features the lyrics to the song 'Colours of Australia' and the characters from 'All my friends and me' demonstrating the complementary actions.

(1.1 MB)

(507.41 KB)

(408.08 KB)

(504.85 KB)

Educator Guide cover image

Educator Guide

The Educator Guide serves as an introduction to the ‘Building Belonging' toolkit of resources which supports early childhood educators in teaching children about cultural diversity and addressing prejudice in early childhood settings.

(3.61 MB)

(9.93 MB)

Parent flyer cover image - Discussing cultural diversity with your child

Guide: Discussing cultural diversity with your child

The ‘Discussing cultural diversity with your child' parent poster offers suggestions to parents and carers including activity ideas and tips for responding to tricky questions.

(827.52 KB)

(937.07 KB)

Screen capture of Lesson 1 - Lets make a rainbow

Lesson: Let's make a rainbow

The ‘Let's make a rainbow' lesson prompts children to think about the similarities and differences between themselves and others.

(1.26 MB)

(3.75 MB)

Screen capture of Lesson 2 - What's on the inside?

Lesson: What's on the inside?

The ‘What's on the inside?' lesson introduces children to the principle that ‘you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.'

(1.09 MB)

(3.55 MB)

Screen capture of Lesson 3 - All my friends and me

Lesson: All my friends and me

The ‘All my friends and me' lesson gives children the chance to explore their differences and similarities in a small group environment.

(3.92 MB)

(9.81 MB)

Poster cover image - Tackling tricky questions about racial identity

Guide: Tackling tricky questions about racial identity

‘Tackling tricky questions about racial identity' provides tips on how to embrace the opportunity presented by children's natural curiosity about difference.

(647.16 KB)

(102.61 KB)

Screenshot of Encouraging respect for cultural diversity poster

Guide: Encouraging respect for cultural diversity

‘Encouraging respect for cultural diversity' provides suggestions for discussions and activities that can help educators to encourage respect for cultural diversity.

(602.77 KB)

(120.86 KB)

Recipe sheet cover image

Recipe Sheet

The recipe sheet provides a template for services to ask families to share one of their favourite recipes from home. The recipes can be collated into a book.

(743.49 KB)

(29.88 KB)

Screenshot of guide: Responding to difficult questions about racial identity and cultural diversity

Guide: Responding to difficult questions about racial identity and cultural diversity

The ‘Responding to difficult questions about racial identity and cultural diversity' sheet provides educators with suggestions that can build their confidence in responding to difficult questions from children and families.

(289.37 KB)

(1.59 MB)

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