All Aboard: Creating an Inclusive Classroom

3 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Picture Books and Inclusion

Page 16

Picture books provide a safe and enjoyable way to navigate potential social situations. They also give an opportunity to see how others handle certain issues. In terms of diversity, children may see positive themes of acceptance and the values in those who are different from them.

The following are some advantages of teaching with picture books:

Social Interactions
This is a wonderful opportunity to have children look at the pictures in the books and point out characteristics of appropriate body language (i.e. how others do not touch someone's wheelchair without asking first). 

Respectful Language
Children have a chance to listen to and observe how the characters in the book use language that is respectful. This can help them later on in school as well as the outside world when they interact with those who have disabilities. This is also a great time to discuss People First Language.

• Examples of People First Language
• Communicating With and About People with Disabilities

Appreciation and Encouragement
This may not be something that every child picks up on, however, having a child with disabilities as a main character in a book is a wonderful thing. Seeing these children overcome a challenge or achieve a goal fosters an appreciation for that individual and encourages others to dream as well.

Reading picture books that discuss disabilities may bring about an extra interest in the topic in your classroom. It is important to be open to the questions that your students will probably have. The classroom should be a safe space to ask questions.

How do I know which picture books to select for my classroom?

• Select books that correlate to the situations you are experiencing in your classroom
• Review whether a book is appropriate prior to implementing them into your classroom
• Decide on some learning outcomes you would like the children to come away from the experience with and how you will make those happen
• Find books that you think will interest the students in your classroom to keep the activity fun

Click here to take notes.

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