Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches Had bellies with stars. The Plain-Belly Sneetches Had none upon thars. Those stars weren't so big. They were really so small. You might think such a thing wouldn't matter at all. From the Sneetches by Dr. Seuss

From the day we are born, we begin to construct knowledge through discovering and examining how things are the same and how they are different. Children should learn that, just as every alphabet letter has great individual importance in the makeup of our language, each individual has a vital contribution to make to our society. Just as letters of the alphabet make up a language that has unlimited possibilities, differences among people can make society powerful and dynamic. Diversity should be celebrated; diversity is what makes our country great-the diversity of its resources, ideas, and people. We have a responsibility to instill in children the value of diversity.

Each of us should consider the following challenges.

• Adults working with children need to recognize and confront their own values, biases and use of stereotypes.

• Adults should foster children's self-confidence regarding who they are and their culture group so that they feel neither superior nor inferior to others.

• Adults should try to understand children's knowledge and attitudes about diversity, so they can help them to accept and value diversity. The goal should be that children's behavior is inclusive and that children feel comfortable with people from all backgrounds.

• We should teach young children how to interact with others-especially those who are different from them-to respect differences and not to accept unfair beliefs and actions. Most importantly, each adult must confront troublesome issues rather than ignore or cover them up.

• Each individual caring for young children must be committed to providing an antibias philosophy, environment and curriculum that is woven into the fabric of the program. In each component of the program, there should be a conscious effort to consider and express different viewpoints, a variety of materials and ways of life. Multiculturalism is the term that best conveys this message. It encompasses: age, culture, disability, family unit, sex, race and social class. A multicultural curriculum will take time, careful planning, and perhaps a different approach to activities. Be sure to include parents.

• When a child does not belong to the dominant cultural group, there is not something wrong. It is time to stop thinking in these terms. Knowing other ways of living, thinking and acting helps children accept differences in others. Let's celebrate multiculturalism in our programs.

We should have very high expectations of ALL children-children of different races, family backgrounds, dispositions and abilities, male and female. Remember the self-fulfilling prophesy: expect that all children can, and they will.

And no kind of Sneetch is the best on the beaches... all the Sneetches forgot about stars And whether they had one, or not, upon thars. From the Sneetches by Dr. Seuss

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