Objective: Help children understand and celebrate the diversity of skin tones in a positive and inclusive manner.
Materials Needed:
Various shades of construction paper (light beige, brown, dark brown, etc.)
Crayons or markers
A mirror for each child
Picture books featuring diverse characters
A large paper for a group art project
Glue and scissors
Lesson Outline:
Introduction (10 minutes):
Begin with a circle time discussion. Ask children what they see when they look at each other. Discuss how everyone has different skin tones.
Mirror Activity (15 minutes):
Give each child a mirror and have them look at their own skin. Ask them to describe their skin tone using words like light, dark, tan, etc.
Art Activity (20 minutes):
Provide various shades of construction paper. Have each child choose a color that matches their skin tone and cut out a handprint. Encourage them to decorate their handprint with crayons or markers to represent their personality.
Storytime (15 minutes):
Read a picture book featuring diverse characters (e.g., "All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold). Discuss the different skin tones in the book and the importance of diversity.
Group Art Project (20 minutes):
Create a large mural on the wall using all the handprints from the children. Label the mural "We Are All Different, We Are All Beautiful."
Closing (10 minutes):
Gather the children and talk about why it’s important to celebrate our differences. Encourage them to share what they loved about the lesson.
Skin Tone Collage: Parents can help children create a collage using photos of family members or friends with different skin tones.
Story Exploration: Read books at home that feature diverse characters and discuss the illustrations and messages.
Mirror Time: Encourage children to explore their own skin tone and talk about what makes them unique.
Art at Home: Provide crayons and paper for children to create self-portraits, focusing on their skin tone.