The Registry Preschool Credential

Self-Assessment: Diversity
Be concise in answering the statements/questions in each box. The NAEYC criteria for National Accreditation is 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.
I try and make sure I focus on each individual child when possible. I like to talk to all of the kids and
interact with them during free play time. This helps me learn what they are interested in as well and lets
me get to know the kids even better. I like to think I treat everyone with respect no matter who it is. It
is just second nature to do so. I also try to make sure all kids are included. I once noticed a child kind
of playing by herself on multiple occasions. I went over and talked with her and got her to feel more
confident to play with others.

Give examples of situations where you offer activities and talk to children to build positive self-
identity and valuing of differences in children.
I try to remind the kids that it is okay to be different. I like to tell them that we are all different and if
we were all the same it would be kind of boring. I have read stories to children that have encouraged
children to be themselves and be proud of who they are.

Give examples of situations where you are aware of and avoid using stereotypes in language
references – firefighter instead of fireman, etc.
I really try to be cautious of this. It can be hard to change the way you were taught and to be more
conscious of the words I use. For example, I have tried to include both male and female when talking
about different jobs or community helpers. I try to remind the kids that they can do and be whatever
they want.

Give an example of a situation where you did or would intervene when children might tease or reject
others.
I dealt with a situation where the kids did not want to play with a new child. They would exclude her
from various activities and games. They did not want to let her on the teeter totter. She waited patiently
for her turn for a long time. I went over and talked to the other kids and reminded them that we should
be nice to everyone and that we need to take turns.

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.
I would consider some stereotypes to be gender roles, different cultures, languages, families and skin
tone. If I heard or saw some of these things, I would remind the kids that we are all different and try
and plan a lesson around these topics, without taking the tourist approach. If it were coming from
adults, I would hope they would be able to catch themselves and make the necessary corrections. If not
I would try and explain that kids overhear this kind of language and will repeat this information.

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 The Registry Preschool Credential
Self-Assessment: Diversity
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.
There are different posters and pictures up with different cultures and kids with different abilities.
There also are different images of families. There are baby dolls with various skin tones as well. The
books promote diversity and encourage kids. These materials help kids to be able to see themselves and
feel included. This also helps them to learn about different diversities rather than shy away from them.
I think a good addition would be to have a family wall, of all of the families in the center. This would
help kids to see all types of families. I also think a good addition would be to have more play food from
different cultures that they may not see all the time.