Valuing Diverse Families 

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The unfortunate reality about the world we live in is that you will undoubtedly run into challenging situations when teaching about diverse families. This can range from uncomfortable questions from a child, to confrontations with parents who are unhappy with your program planning. It is critical and often challenging to navigate the waters with supporting diverse families while respecting other’s beliefs and opinions.    

You must understand that by valuing and respecting a family that is diverse, you are not suddenly forced to change your view on anything that you personally believe. You can still be respectful of differences in ethnic or cultural backgrounds, lifestyle choices, gender identification, and other qualities. You should always check your bias at the door before you enter the center. It can also be helpful to remember that just because you are different from a family that is in your center, it doesn’t mean that your way or their way is right or wrong; they are just different.

You are there to provide children with the understanding that diversity is all over and important. As their teacher, you are a role model for them and if you show that you can respect all differences that you encounter, then you are providing them with excellent examples of how they should act when they encounter differences. It is important that you show that you respect and value the differences in children and their families.

Children's Books about Families

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Pre-Assessment (1/6)​
3. Never too Early to Read
4. Family Literature
5. Early Literacy and Families 

6. Monday is One Day
7. Discussion: Sharing Books (2/6)
8. Valuing Diverse Families
9. Communicating with Families
10. Choosing Literature
11. Beyond Literature

12. My Family Tree (3/6)​
13. Family Mobiles (4/6)​​
14. The Name Quilt (5/6)​​
15. End of Course Quiz (6/6)
16. Course Evaluation Form​
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