Early Level:
Principle 5
Our children will be critical thinking global citizens that challenge discrimination and prejudice through an understanding and awareness of the behaviours, practices and processes that create injustice in the world.
This principle looks at the concept of fair and unfair as the beginning of an understanding of social justice. It explores ideas around being inclusive, caring and sharing and understanding of some of the effects of our own actions on others.
Unpacking the principle
Do spaces …
display images that challenge stereotypes in relation to people and places?
provide activities which require sharing and turn-taking?
provide opportunities for children to share cultural experiences?
Do interactions…
enable children to reflect on what we mean by fair and unfair?
support children to consider if fairness means everyone should be treated the same?
challenge racism and negative ideas about Black and Brown people?
provide opportunities for children to learn about what to do when they see or experience racism or any kind of violence?
discuss strategies and tools for speaking up for themselves/others?
Questions and considerations
Preparing Snack: this space provides rich opportunities for sharing, turn-taking and problem-solving. Children can also look at images and examples of foods from around the world and create these with play dough to use in role play. This may be the first time that children engage with some of the different foods in a formal setting and this can provide an exciting, curious environment where children learn together and explore, and also showcase to peers what they know.
It is important for the practitioner not to create stereotypes relating to foods by assigning certain foods and meals to different groups. Children are unlikely to have formed these stereotypes as this may be the first time that they have interacted with the foods.
A communal cooking activity can support children to experience and enjoy the impact of working collectively. Making pancakes together, for example, can provide an experience where children share, take turns, take on responsibilities and roles to produce something to be enjoyed together. As different forms of pancake are enjoyed in cultures and communities around the world, this is a good context for children to discuss images, practices and traditions and for peers to share their own experiences and learn from each other. Parents or carers can be invited to engage with this activity.
Spaces and experiences
I am included.
I am nurtured.
SHANARRI Indicators(s)
UNCRC Article(s)
Article 2: I have the right to be protected from discrimination and to be treated fairly.
Home/Community Links and Opportunities for Parent/Carer Participation
Find out from parents/carers about cultural experiences that can be explored with children in the everyday interactions and life of the setting. For example, how should different types of hair be combed or looked after? Are there objects, creams or condiments that have cultural significance that can be shared? Have children seen an adult around them adjust their hijab or top knot?
At the beginning of learning about justice and injustice is the concept of fair and unfair. Justice is about children learning about how a group can recover from an experience where some of them were favoured over others. Once the unfairness is overcome, how can we ensure that this doesn't happen again, that we learn from this and treat each other fairly from now on? Justice is also about acknowledging harm that has taken place and then listening to those who experienced it to allow their lead and make sure what they need to feel well again happens for them. It is important to reinforce that fairness is not about treating everybody the same but about all people having their needs met. This might look different for different people according to their individual circumstances.
Key Things to Note
Unpacking
the principle
Do spaces …
display images that challenge stereotypes in relation to people and places?
provide activities which require sharing and turn-taking?
provide opportunities for children to share cultural experiences?
Do interactions…
enable children to reflect on what we mean by fair and unfair?
support children to consider if fairness means everyone should be treated the same?
challenge racism and negative ideas about Black and Brown people?
provide opportunities for children to learn about what to do when they see or experience racism or any kind of violence?
discuss strategies and tools for speaking up for themselves/others?
This principle looks at the concept of fair and unfair as the beginning of an understanding of social justice. It explores ideas around being inclusive, caring and sharing and understanding of some of the effects of our own actions on others.
Spaces
and Experiences
SHANARRI
Indicator(s)
Questions
and Considerations
Preparing Snack: this space provides rich opportunities for sharing, turn-taking and problem-solving. Children can also look at images and examples of foods from around the world and create these with play dough to use in role play. This may be the first time that children engage with some of the different foods in a formal setting and this can provide an exciting, curious environment where children learn together and explore, and also showcase to peers what they know.
It is important for the practitioner not to create stereotypes relating to foods by assigning certain foods and meals to different groups. Children are unlikely to have formed these stereotypes as this may be the first time that they have interacted with the foods.
A communal cooking activity can support children to experience and enjoy the impact of working collectively. Making pancakes together, for example, can provide an experience where children share, take turns, take on responsibilities and roles to produce something to be enjoyed together. As different forms of pancake are enjoyed in cultures and communities around the world, this is a good context for children to discuss images, practices and traditions and for peers to share their own experiences and learn from each other. Parents or carers can be invited to engage with this activity.
I am included.
I am nurtured.
UNCRC Articles(s)
Article 2: I have the right to be protected from discrimination and to be treated fairly.
Home/Community Links and Opportunities for Parent/Carer Participation
Find out from parents/carers about cultural experiences that can be explored with children in the everyday interactions and life of the setting. For example, how should different types of hair be combed or looked after? Are there objects, creams or condiments that have cultural significance that can be shared? Have children seen an adult around them adjust their hijab or top knot?
Key Things to Note
At the beginning of learning about justice and injustice is the concept of fair and unfair. Justice is about children learning about how a group can recover from an experience where some of them were favoured over others. Once the unfairness is overcome, how can we ensure that this doesn't happen again, that we learn from this and treat each other fairly from now on? Justice is also about acknowledging harm that has taken place and then listening to those who experienced it to allow their lead and make sure what they need to feel well again happens for them. It is important to reinforce that fairness is not about treating everybody the same but about all people having their needs met. This might look different for different people according to their individual circumstances.