Self-Assessment: Diversity (Page 1 of 2)

Be concise in answering the statements/questions in each box. The NAEYC criteria for National Accreditation are the basis of
this self-assessment to demonstrate alignment with the Standards and to familiarize students with this national accreditation
process.
Give examples of situations that show you treat all children with equal respect and consideration.
This semester I had some children that were either my family or good friends’ children. I had to
be very careful that I wasn’t treating them more special than any of the other children or
spending more time with them than the other children.

Give examples of situations where you offer activities and talk to children to build positive self-
identity and valuing of differences in children.
One day a child spilled their milk on the ground, and I approached the problem with trying to
encourage that it is okay, and we learn from our mistakes. I said maybe next time you drink it over the
sink, so you don’t spill. This way I am showing it is okay to make mistakes and there are ways to solve
our mistakes.

Give examples of situations where you are aware of and avoid using stereotypes in language
references – firefighter instead of fireman, etc.
One day children painted a picture of fire trucks and firefighters. That day I tried hard to not
say fireman because that would be a stereotype. Instead all the teachers used fire truck and
firefighter for the vocab of what they were doing.

Give an example of a situation where you did or would intervene when children might tease or reject
others.
I would intervene if the children got physical at all because I don’t want anyone to get hurt. I
also would intervene if the child getting picked on couldn’t hold their ground and instead, they
were getting teased more than they could handle.
Give some examples of what you would consider to be stereotypical language or bias toward or
against a child or group, and how you might respond if you saw or heard these from adults or children
in your classroom.
You could never be a doctor because you are a girl and you speak funny no one would be able to
understand you. You also don’t look like most of us. I would respond by saying everyone can reach for
their dreams and will achieve them if they really want to. Being a doctor takes time and a lot of work
but if you truly want to be a doctor you go for it!

Describe the materials provided in the preschool environment to address a range of diversity (dolls,
play props, books, pictures, posters, play food, clothing items, etc.) Explain how the materials reflect
the lives of the children and families in your program as well as the diversity found in society, including
gender, age, language, and abilities – no stereotypical representations (images of members of ethnic
groups in only traditional garb or only females in nurturing roles, only males as construction workers
or doctors, etc.), reflect range of diversity, especially children and families in the program. Give
examples of materials that could be added.

Preschool environments have many different skin tone dolls, play props, books, pictures, posters,
play food, and clothing items to support all the many cultures of the children. So, the children
who come from different cultures won’t feel so left out and the other children can get more of an
idea of other children’s cultures. These materials would reflect the lives of the many children
along with their families because we do not all live the same. The materials would also support the
diverse diversity in the community. The children would also be exposed to not stereotypical
representations because they can play with anything in classroom and are encouraged that they
can be anything they want to be. You could also add multi-ethnic puppets, diverse family play
sets, diverse memory games, diverse puzzles, and diverse mix and match games.