Art & Craft
Targeted Group: Children
Objectives:
1. To introduce children to diverse cultures and people from different races and ethnicities.
2. To foster the children to establish cross-group friendships and enhance positive interaction with other races.
3. To foster the children to become more grateful to the people around them whereby decreasing and eliminating prejudices and
discrimination between one another.
4. To foster the children as a part of a good citizen to practice inclusive ways of achieving coexistence.
MORAL VALUES
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Children learn to respect people in different ways such as listening to others’ ideas and practicing courteousness and inclusive ways to achieve coexistence in their daily lives.
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Children learn to notice the similarities and differences of different races and react to the people in a positive way.
Choy Poh Mun
Content Writer
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Children learn to love and appreciate people around them by showing concern for others.
Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me,
and the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me
- Michael Jackson
Teaching children about
diversity and racism
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Diversity defines as the inclusion of people from different dimensions such as races, ethnicity, cultures, religious belief, ideologies, and so forth. It encompassed the spirituality, attitude, and moral values where to appreciate and recognize the uniqueness and differences of each individual (Queensborough Community College, n.d.). According to (UNICEF, 2020), infants from the age of six months started to aware and distinguish people by skin colour while starting to show actions or signals of racial prejudices such as choosing friends from a particular race group at the age of 5 years old. Hence, the adults were playing a significant role in educating and influencing the children to understand the importance of diversity in order to appreciate and accept every single individual, especially in our country, Malaysia. Undeniable, it may be difficult to discuss diversity and racism with the children, but there are a variety of ways and activities that could implement with children to begin developing appreciation, and acceptance, as well as responding to diversity by practicing good moral values.
Anti-racism,
start from me!
THINGS YOU NEED:
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Color paper in various shades of skin tones
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Paper plate
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Glue
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Scissors
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Pencil
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Ribbon
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Jute Rope
The activity of the day:
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Handprint Unity Wreath Craft
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One of the ways to respond to diversity and practice anti-racism is to have our children learn on creating artwork to show their actions as good citizens who can react to people from different races in a positive way. This handprint unity wreath craft is a favorable way to begin a discussion with our children about inclusion and embracing everyone.
Steps:
1. Trace children’s hands on different colour paper to represent the different colors of skin people.
2. Cut all the handprints by using scissors carefully.
3. Remove the center circle on the paper plate to create the wreath shape.
4. Stick the handprints by layering with different skin colors on the wreath to cover the edges by
using glue.
5. Use jute rope to hang up the wreath.
6. Decorate the wreath with ribbons and tie it with a bow.
Benefits of this craft activity:
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Through this activity, it may allow children to express their own feelings and understanding of the concept of diversity in a tangible, meaningful, and positive way.
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Art and craft activities may allow children to engage and socialize with others who share similar interests or knowledge thereby establishing and strengthening friendships and bonding through this positive interaction. Indeed, it also helps to enhance the relationship between family members while parents and siblings are involved in this activity.
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It is also one type of communication amongst individuals, to tackle and shared challenges for the better humankind. Children may make It for their friends, family members or even neighbor as a gift and share the significance of making this art and craft to promote anti-racism.
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As we know, children are always proud of their work after completing a task. Hence, a sense of accomplishment and achievement may help to enhance and boost their self-esteem where they could feel proud as a part of good citizen who can contribute to the world on promoting anti-racism.
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Through this activity, may teach children to learn to appreciate the beauty of diversity.
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Teach children on spreading an inspirational message and individuals to achieve great things in life.
REFERENCES
ADRIAN. (2021, February 14). How To Make A Diversity Wreath. Curls & Kids. https://www.curlsandkids.com/how-to-make-a-diversity-wreath/
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J. Wood, S. (2021, December 17). How to Teach Kids About Diversity and Acceptance. Child Abuse Prevention, Treatment & Welfare Services | Children’s Bureau. https://www.all4kids.org/news/blog/how-to-teach-kids-about-diversity-and-acceptance/
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Sara, S. (2021, January 3). Martin Luther King Jr. Handprint Unity Wreath Craft For Kids. Sunshine Whispers. https://sunshinewhispers.com/martin-luther-king-jr-handprint-unity-wreath-craft-for-kids/?epik=dj0yJnU9dmt3YWZTSUw3cTN0YWNsVWlfWXhBS0JCU0xaX01ZSlQmcD0wJm49QmhnaEpyd2c3SjNub2xNaTdMNWU4QSZ0PUFBQUFBR0lMSUhv
Queensborough Community College. (n.d.). Queensborough Community College. https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/diversity/definition.html
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UNICEF. (2020a, June 9). Talking to your kids about racism. UNICEF Parenting. https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism
CHILDREN'S FEEDBACKS FROM PARENTS:
Below are few attachments as the children's feedback and parents' reply via WhatsApp
