Early Pride Matters

Step 1: Gather materials.

• Books that feature children's faces and the qualities that make each child unique (Include books with characters that reflect the diversity of the children in your classroom. As you share these books, point out the characters' unique qualities. If you choose a book about gender and pronouns, such as The Pronoun Book or Whoever You Are, include these topics in your book share discussions.)
• Photographs of the children and families in your classroom community and/or original artwork or self-portraits created by the children for their All About Me displays (determine a location for the children's displays ahead of time—such as a bulletin board, wall, table, or library area—and make sure this location is easy for the children to see and access)
• Poster board, construction paper and other materials that the children will need to create their All About Me wall displays or books

Step 2: Introduce activity.

• To prepare the children for this activity, create an environment that supports and encourages sharing. For example, you can use book shares to spark discussions about what makes each child unique, prompt the children to notice and share differences between themselves and the children they see in the books, or talk about the ways that children can be similar or different during group activities.
• Encourage the older children to select the themes and materials for their All About Me displays. For the youngest children, you may need to do this yourself.
• If you have previously created "All About Me" books, exploring these can be its own activity. As you look through them, point out children's unique features, similarities and differences.

Step 3: Engage children in activity.

• Collect artifacts that illustrate categories that are meaningful to children. The All About Me displays or books might include any or all of the following (plus some ideas of your own):
• • My name (including nicknames)
  • My photos
  • What I like to be called (include the child's pronouns)
  • My features (hair, skin color, etc.)
  • My favorite things (toys, activities, foods)
  • Things I can do all by myself
  • People who care for me
• If you plan to create the All About Me displays or books yourself, you can mount these items onto poster boards for wall displays, set them up as tabletop displays, or incorporate them into small books.
• Older children will be able to participate in the creation of these displays, but you may need to create the displays or books for the younger children. Keep in mind that this activity involves creating a product, and younger children may be more interested in exploring the product than creating it.
• When the All About Me posters, tabletop displays, or books are finished, display them in your All About Me exhibit area.
• Use the All About Me exhibit as a conversation starter. During these discussions, the All About Me projects can be used to affirm each child's uniqueness. For example, encourage the children to notice, point to, and describe themselves throughout the day. Incorporate the All About Me exhibit into discussions throughout the day or during library sessions.

Adaptations by age

Infants and toddlers

• Encourage the children to find themselves in the photos and drawings.
• Point out familiar objects and people.

Two-year-olds

• Engage the children in conversations about the various items in their displays.
• Use narration and conversation to point out what makes each child unique.

Preschoolers

• Ask your preschoolers to describe their displays or books and point out each child's defining characteristics.