Kids Multicultural Diversity Materials

Montessori diversity multicultural kids materials, toys, and books to raise compassionate Global Stewards who would stand for equality, justice, and peace.

 Montessori cultural kids materials are designed to teach children, amongst other things, about diversity and multicultural beauty and complexity of this world. Through various hands-on toys, books, and games, children learn solidarity, tolerance, compassion, and appreciation for our multi-faceted society that makes our world so special.

Multicultural education starts at home, with parents and educators. Dr. Maria Montessori foresaw that children are our hope for a better, more peaceful future. “If salvation and help are to come, it is through the child; for the child is the constructor of man.” (Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind.) Thus, by educating a child, we are indirectly molding an adult that child will grow to be, making a child “both a hope and a promise for mankind.” (Maria Montessori, Education and Peace.) As such, she envisioned little people growing up to be compassionate, empathetic, and peaceful adults, working to make the world a better place.

Dr. Montessori also heartily espoused PEACE education since a peaceful child grows up to be a peaceful adult. “Peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by humanity through the child,” she noted. So, by instilling qualities of justice, peace, and equality in young children, we make it possible for them to carry such beliefs throughout their lives. And those children will eventually pass the torch to their future generations since “the things he sees are not just remembered; they form a part of his soul.” (Dr. Maria Montessori.)

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“This is education, understood as a help to life; an education from birth, which feeds a peaceful revolution and unites all in a common aim, attracting them as to a single center. Mothers, fathers, politicians: all must combine in their respect and help for this delicate work of formation, which the little child carries on in the depth of a profound psychological mystery, under the tutelage of an inner guide. This is the bright new hope for mankind.” (Dr. Maria Montessori. The Absorbent Mind, p. 15.)

However, besides peace education, little citizens must be taught empathy, compassion, solidarity, anti-racism, and concepts of justice and equality, and these concepts must be taught early on through books, toys, and games. Children are learning through PLAY and social interaction that begins at HOME!

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Kids MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY Materials

Homeschooling encompassed education and early childhood development, but it also includes educating little people about anti-racism. WHY does inequality, racism, prejudice, and injustice persist? Because this is how we were TAUGHT! We were taught an ignorant thing that RACE EXISTS although there is NO gene for a race! THERE IS ONLY ONE HUMAN RACE ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, and we are ALL brothers and sisters of this global community we call HUMANITY! And the sooner we understand this, the faster we can destroy and crush bigotry, supremacy, and racism! WE WERE separated into races so that SOME can feel superior to others! We were given privileges that so MANY have taken advantage of or exploited! However, the pigment of one’s skin has NOTHING to do with intelligence, privilege, or worth as a human being!

Children are NOT born bigots since there is NO gene for bigotry! They grow intolerant because they were NOT raised tolerant through appropriate materials, books, and toys! However, everything you learn, you CAN unlearn! So it’s time to UN-learn it! We know that children imitate us while learning from friends and through their social circles. However, they develop their academic and social skills most effectively through PLAY. And they learn about racism through play too by having narrowly channeled toys and lack of multicultural books and literature.

So, what we can do as parents and educators is to include diversity toys, materials, and books in those we have at home. Thus, it is important to have black children and children of ALL color represented in toys and books we offer little people! White children should see black characters and characters of color in their books, and vise versa! Children need to experience cultural diversity through play so that we can spark conversations about race in order to raise compassionate individuals!

See Instagram post HERE.

AGE 0 – 1 YO

It is never too early to show faces of babies or children from various parts of our world! For example, Global Babies book is a beautiful transition from black and white images to color at around 2-6 weeks.

Global Babies (Age 0- 6 M): From Guatemala to Bhutan, seventeen vibrantly colored photographs embrace our global diversity and give glimpses into the daily life, traditions, and clothing of babies from around the world. Simple text in different languages teaches the littlest readers that everywhere on earth, babies are special and loved.

As your child learns to grasp objects, (at around 3 months), you can introduce soft balls, toys or dolls.

Soft dolls basket of Babies are perfect for little hands to grab and hold.

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AGE 1 – 2 YO

Multicultural Baby dolls have movable heads, arms and legs.

Also, see HERE Tender-Touch Multi-Cultural Baby Dolls with Blankies, which make a perfect addition to Kids MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY Materials.

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AGE 2 – 4 YO

A Boy Like You book conveys a beautiful message about the power of kindness and being yourself to make this world a better place! It is suitable for children ages 2.5. and up.

LEGO DUPLO World People Set is perfect for exploring multicultural family dynamics through various invitations to play. This set is a powerful tool that encourages discussions about respecting similarities and differences among people. The set invites children to role-play with four different families and opens their minds to exploring cultures, gender, age, and family relationships.

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AGE 4 – 5 YO

Through kids MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY materials, toys, books, and invitations to play children learn about their world. They form their personalities, they discover morality: what is right and wrong, how to accept and be accepted; how to tolerate and not condemn. Books and toys are a crucial foundation of childhood, so we cannot overlook their important role.

All Are Welcome makes a perfect back-to-school book. Diverse families of many different compositions are featured in this book. Children can find themselves and their families in this book and that’s what makes it so powerful and inviting.

Moreover, HABA Children of the World puzzle is a wonderful tool to stimulate understanding and acceptance of different ethnicities. These mix and match puzzles are great for preschoolers. Besides promoting diversity, they also advance fine motor control and dexterity!

Same, Same but Different book highlights our appreciation of similarities and differences. This book could easily be the anchor book for numerous lessons on appreciating diversity!

Children of the World Puzzle is ideal for kids ages 3 to 6 years. It features twelve children from around the world dressed in traditional ethnicity apparel. Next to them are the corresponding national flag and country name. Children are inspired to explore certain aspects of various cultures and observe their similarities and differences.

While PLAY can take many form, pretend play gives children a chance to negotiate social situations, practice conflict resolution, and learn grace and courtesy while dealing with playmates. Also, pretend, and role-play can effectively promote a child’s development since they are forms of imitation of the real adult world. For example, toddlers engage in pretend play when they imitate actions and events they have experienced in their family life. Then, at four and five-year-old, they engage more and more in-play activities that expand their knowledge of the world around them, develop their motor skills, and stimulate social development! Moreover, pretend play enhances a child’s capacity for cognitive thinking to think about something in a new way and to think for themselves. By offering multicultural diverse toys, we are expanding their horizons to include people from other cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

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AGE 5 – 7 YO

DIFFERENT COLORS OF US CRAFT

There is power in unity of diversity. One world, one human family, called Homo Sapiens. We are all so different and, at the same time, so similar to each other, and like all humans, we share the same needs of liberties, safety, food, shelter, love, and a need for belonging and the community. We shall be united in the heart through the mind. And, “what the hand does, the mind remembers,” reminds us Dr. Montessori.
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YOU’ll NEED:

• multicolor faces cutouts (do NOT offer black, bright yellow or red construction paper as children might internalize it. There are no people with yellow, red, or black skin)
• shredded recycled paper (since non-dyed hair is generally white, blonde, brown, or black – these are the colors I am offering. However, do add hues of red and orange and any other color you think your child might recognize or associate with)
• multicultural crayons (we also love these colored pencils)
• any loose items you have: tiny pom poms, buttons, pipe cleaners, washi -tape!

HOW TO PRESENT:

• Offer your child to choose his/her own skin color. Do NOT suggest, rather observe, and follow the child. Little people might perceive oneself as lighter or darker, and even siblings might choose a different color for their own face. For example, Julia’s undertone is darker than Adrian’s, and she notices it. So, we took this opportunity to discuss the differences and sameness. The color of the skin does not define who we are or make one better or worse. Allow your child to express creativity!
• Next, look through books that will show a similar-aged child but different skin tone and invite to decorate his/her face. Ask questions: what do you think this child is doing? Do you think he/she is in school? Do you think s/he feels safe and loved? Do you think s/he feels happy or sad? Point out that all children experience the SAME EMOTIONS and have the SAME NEEDS whether looking differently on the outside, inside we are all the SAME!

Don’t forget to celebrate diverse ethnicities and skin tones with Crayola’s Multi-Cultural Crayons! There are paints too!

DIVERSITY BOOKS

Let the Children March book is suitable for children 5 and up. Monica Clark-Robinson’s poetic words and Frank Morrison’s captivating illustrations will bring kids’ attention to the story of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade of 1963. The book spurs discussions about racism, American history, bravery and courage, and about how everyone – even children – can make a meaningful difference.

A Kids Book About Racism is indeed a kid’s book about racism. Inside, you’ll find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens. Suitable for children 5 and up.

DIVERSITY GAMES

I Never Forget a Face Memory Matching Game for Kids is a perfect matching game for children 5 and up to heightens focus and attention to detail while enhancing spatial memory.

Also, Children of The World Memory Game is a great Montessori cultural material not just because of the visible diversity, but because diversity isn’t just what we see, it’s also what we hear. This game incorporates language diversity as well.

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AGE 8 + YO

We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders book is suitable for Age 9 +. It features quotes from civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and Dolores Huerta. This collaborative and informational picture book is accompanied by artwork from 16 different artists. 

Global Kids: 50+ Games, Crafts, Recipes & More from Around the World card set provides endless multicultural learning and fun for kids. It includes games, crafts, recipes, and activities that help children serve their communities and connect with others.

Remember, multicultural toys, books, and games help children reflect, mirror and bring situations to life! Also, Montessori cultural works teach about diversity, anti-racism, and equality! And this education starts at home with materials you can control!

Let us BE MORE because we can LEARN MORE and we can RAISE our CHILDREN to be MORE!

SEE HERE my Amazon store for MORE Kids MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY Materials.

Please, always supervise your child.

FOR MORE ON DIVERSITY and EQUALITY

See HERE Martin Luther King Jr. Day ~ how we celebrate.

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Do not be hardened by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And ALL things can be MENDED. NOT with TIME … with INTENTION! So do NOT toughen your CHILD to face a HEARTLESS world! RAISE them to make the world a little LESS heartless! Until our world decides that EVERY HUMAN matter, that EVERYONE has a right to food, safety, freedom, justice, and equality, it is the OBLIGATION of those privileged to fight tirelessly for those who do not. – L.R. Knost. You can see this post on Instagram HERE.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. “ — Nelson Mandela.
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Take this time to reflect, awaken, educate, and enlighten! Your children will BECOME WHO YOU ARE! So BE WHO you WANT THEM to BE! Your influence as a parent and educator is POWERFUL! Use that power wisely! And remember, it is the little ordinary moments, that will shape a lifetime!
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SO BE THE LIGHT! The darkened world is awaiting! See Instagram post HERE.

“Darkness can NOT drive out darkness; only 🕯 LIGHT can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only LOVE can do that.”— Martin Luther King, Jr. MINISTER, Civil Rights Activist. You can see this post on Instagram HERE.

How can we explain this to our children who observe, absorb and emulate? They watch us ALL the time: this is what they do – it’s their job! And they will generally follow our deeds, not our words. So, be the light, the role model, the inspiration and motivation! Be who you wish your child to be! Your influence as a parent and educator is powerful! Use that power wisely! Model kindness, empathy, and compassion so that the world we hand to our children is kinder, united, just and safe! Their generation will be taking the torch soon enough.

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Have you downloaded my NEW eBook THE BASICS? It has everything you need to know to get started on your Montessori journey, as well as a CURRICULUM outline reference guide, the order of lessons, and the age when they should be introduced, in my opinion. See details HERE.

Also, check out HERE Homeschooling Montessori MADE-EASY membership in case you are exhausted from swimming in the vast ocean of irrelevant information and saving activities you never get to! And if you sign UP, the eBook is included in the package amongst MANY other perks!

I am here to help! WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER!

♡ Enriching the Mind one Heart at a time ♡

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