Viking_Yearbook_93

classrooms with the intention of interaction with the children. “These dolls bring in a character. The doll takes on a personality. Ithas a life and a history, and the children are told their story. The doll becomes another classmate. The doll may bring in a topic that thechildren are straggling with, or it may be brought in instead of singling out one particular student, the doll is singled out. Everyone then gets to discuss the problem and solve it together,” saidLynnGreen the assistant director at the center. Other ways in which this curriculum is taught is through visual aids, such as pictures. The center had a calendar that showed gay andlesbian families. “This makes it real for the children, although we aren’t able to rely on a lot o f prepared curriculum. There isn’t a lot out there to help teach children about family diversity,” said Nolan. The center finds it important to stay away from a “tourist approach” style of teaching. They deal with race and culture on a daily bases. I found out that children may not know what prejudice is until they are taught that kind of hatred. Children are human, they notice differences in each other and others around them, and they are excepting of them generally, rather they are curious. It is adults that are not as comfortable with discussing differences. Without even realizing it adults are giving children the green light too think that differences are bad. Difference or diversity then loses its innocent meaning. At the Helen Gordon Center there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the children there are learning just what abeautiful thing it is to have diversity. S t o r y a n d F * h o t c 3 s f c > y S h a n n c a n " W a ss o n Without even realizing it, adults are giving children the green light to think that differences are bad.