THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT DIVERSITY

Nov 12, 2021

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We all want children to grow up in a world free from bias and discrimination, to reach for their dreams and feel that whatever they want to accomplish in life is possible. We want them to feel loved and included and never to experience the pain of rejection or exclusion, but the reality is we live in a world in which racism and other forms of bias continue to affect us. Discrimination hurts and leaves scars that can last a lifetime, affecting goals, ambitions, life choices, and feelings of self-worth.


How can we best prepare children to meet the challenges and reap the benefits of the increasingly diverse world they will inherit?


We can teach children to respect and value people regardless of the colour of their skin, their physical abilities, or the language they speak. We can also raise children to celebrate and value diversity and to be proud of themselves and their family traditions.


For some of us, the communities in which we live are rather consistent while others live in more diverse areas, with a diverse landscape. Regardless of the area or country we are raised in, it’s important to instill a sense of acceptance and tolerance within our children.


After kids leave toddlerhood behind, it’s tempting to think that kids can be kept innocent and protected for as long as possible. However, once kids learn a language well enough to communicate back and forth with others, they begin interacting with many people outside their immediate family and learn more about the wider world around them.


Children need examples of others who are open and accepting of difference because they are heavily influenced by the behaviours of the adults they interact with. Grandparents and parents can play an active role in shaping their children’s behaviours, by helping them to be more accepting of and kind toward those who look different from them.


They also tend to base their stereotyping on physical traits such as race, gender or age, and understand their environment through categorisation, so they make sense of the world by grouping people together according to how they look. As a result, children will most likely identify with a group of people who have a similar appearance to them, and they will become disengaged from people who appear different from them.


Parents can help their children value and appreciate diversity in everyday experiences by modelling behaviours that are open and kind toward others, such as;

·        Practicing Unity

·        Using Kind Language

·        Being Kind in Action

·        Having Multicultural Experiences

·        Redirecting Intolerant Behaviour

It is important for children to have role models who motivate them to engage in multicultural activities. While children are in many different learning environments, parents have the greatest impact on how their children perceive and act toward others. To appreciate what each child can contribute to the class, teachers need to learn about each family’s cultural values. Helping children to see themselves in your teaching, curriculum, environment and materials enables them (and their families) to feel welcomed and valued.

Mindfulness

By Gaborone International School • 03 May, 2024
Mindfulness A fast-paced workplace where one is always overwhelmed with packed schedules, deadlines to meet and never having downtime, can contribute to burnout and ineffective discharge of duties. One of the ways in which this can be mitigated is by practicing mindfulness . What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is an act of meditation which teaches the practitioner to be present and not to let their mind wander. Practicing this form of meditation can bring many benefits and help reduce stress and improve memory. Through mindfulness you may be able to focus on the positive things in your life and give less energy to the things that may be harmful to you either mentally or physically. If left to its own devices, the mind will wander, and this can be a problem if you are trying to complete tasks to your full potential. If you can condition your mind to focus, you will be able to give everything you do a lot of attention, and this will help in creating the best output. The mind needs to be trained and mindfulness is a good practice to train your mind to focus on one thing at a time and give it your all. Mindfulness can be done to help you connect with yourself and your inner peace. It is beneficial to everyone; whether spiritual, religious or those who do not believe in a higher power at all. It is just a way to connect with yourself. Some experts believe that through mindfulness you will be able to accept your life experiences and work through them rather than avoiding them. You can couple this with therapy and be able to gain a deeper understanding of yourself. The beauty of this practice is that it can be done at any time, once you start getting used to the action. The easiest way to start is to find a quiet place and focus on your breathing. You have to breath intentionally and do not be hard on yourself if your mind starts to wonder, just bring yourself back to focusing on your breathing. The Benefits of Mindfulness Some of the benefits of mindfulness are that it improves mental health , it can help to reduce stress and even elevate your mood. It has been known to be used in the treatment of anxiety or depression. If you can live in the moment, it can help you not over to think situations or dwell on negative experiences. You can also control your emotions through the practice of mindfulness which can help if you have anger issues or have problems managing your stress levels. It is also helpful for lowering your heart rate because you will be breathing deeply therefore preventing health issues. The other benefits are being able to be calm in different situations and this type of focus can help you perform better at work or at school. Being able to be present allows for better performance because you will not be easily distracted and can complete the task at hand. Mindfulness also helps with creativity which can be a benefit when it comes to problem solving. You will be able to come up with new ways to help yourself and others. Furthermore, mindfulness can help you sleep better. If you are not constantly thinking about random things you will be able to fall asleep quicker and get an adequate amount of sleep which is important for mental health. According to Harvard health, mindfulness can improve physical health too, it can help reduce chronic pain and improve inflammation. In conclusion, mindfulness is a great tool to help heal your mind and body subsequently, increasing the quality of life and making it easier to handle stressful situations. Through mindfulness you can become an overall better person.

The Importance of STEM Education in Today's World

By Gaborone International School • 25 Apr, 2024
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The Role of Technology in Modern Learning

By Gaborone International School • 06 Mar, 2024
In the dynamic realm of education, technology plays a pivotal role in reshaping instructional methods and the learning experience at Gaborone International School (GIS ). From early childhood to higher education, technology permeates every facet of modern learning and unlocks diverse possibilities. 1. Early Computing Exposure: In the past, computer literacy was delayed to later schooling stages, but GIS prioritises early technology exposure. Even our youngest learners engage with educational software , mastering fundamental computer skills before literacy in traditional subjects. This early exposure not only equips them with essential tools but also cultivates comfort and adaptability in the digital era. 2. Online Research Integration: The internet allows GIS students to explore diverse subjects and access academic resources beyond textbooks. Platforms like Google Scholar empower students to enhance comprehension and critical thinking skills. 3. Educational Video Utilization: Platforms like YouTube serve as invaluable educational resources, offering diverse content across subjects. Supervised video viewing supplements classroom instruction, catering to various learning styles. For example, science teachers use YouTube to demonstrate chemical reactions, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation among students. 4. Robotics Integration: GIS' Science and Technology lab transcends theoretical learning, incorporating robotics for practical application. Students engage in experiential learning by building and programming robots, honing problem-solving skills across physics, engineering, and programming. 5. Enhanced Parental Engagement: Technology bridges school and home , facilitating smooth communication and parental involvement. Online platforms enable virtual school meetings, real-time access to academic reports, and effortless communication with teachers, strengthening the home-school partnership. In conclusion, technology has become integral at GIS , reshaping education and enriching the learning experience. From early childhood to advanced learning, technology empowers students to thrive in the digital age and beyond.
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