The Georgia Early Learning Standards Activity Guides may - gapitc

Take time to become well acquainted with the families of the children in your
class. When teachers are familiar with their children’s families, a stronger homeschool
connection is possible to support children’s learning.
Children as young as three may display firm beliefs about gender and family roles
such as what boys do, what girls do, and what mommies or daddies do. They might
say, “Girls can’t be doctors,” for example. Some of these beliefs may be rooted
in their home culture. It is important that teachers provide books, posters, and
real-life examples of men and women in many occupations and activities, while
continuing to be respectful of the diverse value systems of the families in the
classroom.
Have books that show children of different races and cultures, and children with
special needs. Look for these in the children’s section of the local library.
Young children are curious about everything in their environment including
the physical differences among people. Their questions about a person with a
disability or a person of a different race or language should be answered calmly
and with age-appropriate information. For example, you might explain, “You use
your legs to walk. Dahlia’s legs don’t work so she uses the wheels on her wheelchair
to get where she wants to go.” or “Trey’s skin is brown because his dad’s
skin is brown.”
Three year olds must explore concepts of place or location through body movement
and sensory experiences. Abstract concepts and symbols such as flags, maps,
countries, and pictures of presidents should be left until the elementary grades.
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