We learn to notice various changes during our days. One of the many ways is during seasonal transitions. When we walk under the trees outdoors, Kalyan and Nora notice so many dry leaves are laying on the ground. In addition, we hear crunchy sound as we walk, and the thrill when we find them. To make a comparison, so we can comprehend the differences between two or more things, we try to be as quiet as we can be with our voice, and make all the noise with our feet. In addition, Kalyan stretches his arm, alternatively, trying to catch a falling leaf. It can be surprisingly difficult, and can keep us working hard, persisting and, we just play it for fun, amusement and for the pure joy of jumping around. Playing catch a falling leave is our way to appreciate the joy of nature's transformation. Through our daily moments we learn to develop our understanding of the world, including one's self. Believing in the process of understanding one's self we learn to take time to pause to understand different situations. By doing that, we implement a curriculum that reflects diverse cultures, abilities, and perspectives helps us recognize and appreciate differences. Therefore, during our moments of differences, we encourage ourselves to engage with peers to foster empathy and understanding. For example, when Emily and Kai encounter a moment of different ways in working on situations, we encourage open discussions about it. Positive communication teaches us to pay attention and respect feelings. We too take turns to listen and talk to provide room for our thought process. By allowing important or difficult issues to be discussed, it promotes an inclusive environment where we learn to value and celebrate differences from a young age. As an extended learning experience we include a video clip in regard to celebrating differences. Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger is a small but significant step in helping us recognize that diversity goes beyond skin color; it includes our cultures, languages, family structures, and even the ways we learn and express ourselves. Learning to embrace diversity is indeed essential. To foster acceptance and unity, we recently refer to Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger by Elizabeth Cole. It beautifully introduces diversity by highlighting how our differences in age, skin color, and background strengthen our friendships. If we all have different eye colors, do we see different things or see things differently? Nora’s response is simple but profound—she confidently says, Yes. Her answer sparks a deeper conversation about how we may all see the same things, but perhaps we experience things differently. It is a beautiful moment that highlights the way we can interpret diversity—not just in physical traits like eye color, but in the way we think about the world. In class, we explore this interest by asking ourselves to share the color of our hair, eye, and skin. This learning experience helps us reflect on our own appearance and celebrate the similarities and differences among peers. We also ask how many arms, legs, and eyes we all have. It opens us our understanding how some things are the same and some things are different. It further leads us to a discussion on how we are the same in many ways, despite outward differences. As learners, our responsibility is to guide self and others in forming friendships based on shared experiences, interests, and kindness, rather than appearance or age. We emphasize on the idea that all friends are equal, regardless of differences. One of the most powerful reasons to introduce diversity education at a young age is that it helps prevent the formation of stereotypes. By actively promoting positive narratives about diversity, we counteract the narrow-minded views we might encounter outside the classroom. We too take an opportunity to read another storybook In My Heart by Jo Witek, prior to attempting to drawing our faces, which some friends pick-up some keywords as follows: Kai - heart Nora - unique Furthermore, Nora shares something personal and touching—she tells us that she has the word unique displayed in her room at home. This small but significant detail reminds us of the power of language and environment in shaping our understanding of ourselves. By having "unique" in her space, Nora is surrounded by a constant message that reinforces self-worth and individuality. It’s a wonderful example of how, even at a young age, we can internalize the value of being special and different. Kai specially focuses on the word heart. As we read about the different emotions and feeling that we have in our hearts, Kai seems to connect with the idea of the heart being a central place for emotions. While Nora connects with the word unique as if recognizing that her own feelings and experiences are special and different from others. It seems that we can start identifying our own individuality and emotional experiences. During our outdoor time, Kalyan shows a wonderful example of social initiative and communication. He approaches Luka and asks, Can I come inside with you? Despite Luka's silence, this interaction still holds significance. Kalyan's willingness to initiate conversation, even without receiving a verbal response, demonstrates his engagement with his peers, and his desire to be included and explore shared spaces with others. Luka's nonverbal reaction, though subtle, is equally important, as it shows that even without words, he is present an observing Kalyan's actions. This interaction emphasizes the diversity of communication styles among us, reinforcing the importance of nurturing both verbal and nonverbal exchanges in our social interactions. In today's interaction, Kai demonstrates a strong sense of agency and involvement in supporting Luka's early social interest. Kai's decision to push the car for Luka shows his desire to assist and take on a guiding role. This action reflects his focus and intent, but also points to developing empathy and awareness. This interaction can inspire further experiences aim at nurturing these qualities in us. In this way, Kai's leadership and Luka's social engagement are supported, deepening our connection within the learning community. Kindest,
Children & Friends.
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