Individual VS Group Diversity

"The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose."
–Heda Bejar

INDIVIDUAL VS GROUP DIVERSITY

In Introduction to Early Childhood Education:  A Multidimensional Approach to Child-Centered Care and Learning (New York:  Pearson Education Inc., 2003), author Francis Wardle makes the following point about diversity in early care settings:

". . .Traditional approaches to diversity in this country have focused on group differences.  While it is important to continue to address the contributions, strengths, viability. and value of ethnic, racial, and other groups in the lives of families and children served by early childhood programs, it is paramount to respond to individual families and their children, because of the tremendous diversity within each larger group, overlap between groups, and the psychological need of each of us to be treated as individuals.  Programs must also carefully guard against stereotypical responses, unnecessary categorization, and labeling.  Avoid staff training, selection of curriculum materials, cultural and ethnic celebrations, and classroom activities that assume that group membership is more important than individual personality, family, learning styles, needs and abilities."

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