March 2015

Kids World Preschool

Welcome
Special points
of interest:
Philosophy
Our Mission
Classroom
Dynamics

It is our pleasure to welcome you and your family to

Kids World Preschool. We are excited to have the
opportunity to get to know you and look forward to
a happy and productive school year. When working
with your child here at Kids World Preschool we
plan on adding to the education atmosphere fun
activities to motivate your childs creativity while in
a safe and comfortable environment. If at any time

Inside this issue:

you have any questions, doubts or concerns please

do not hesitate to bring them to our attention. We
take great pride in the quality program we provide
the children in our care and welcome feedback
along with suggestions to better our program.

It is our pleasure to
welcome you and your
family to Kids World
Preschool. We are
excited to have the
opportunity to get to
know you and look

We are honored to inform you that our program is

forward to a happy and

accredited by the National Association of the

productive school year.

Education of Young Children also known as NAEYC

When working with

and has been accredited for the past 25 years.

your child here at Kids

World Preschool we
plan on adding to the

As we serve the greater Los Angeles county we have

Kids World Preschools Philosophy

We believe that building a respectful and trusting relationship
with parents and their children is very important. We are mindful of the
different stages of development including social-emotional, physical and
cognitive development. We will support the children in our facility as
they move from the different stages of development. We are aware that
each child has their own temperament as such our program will foster
each childs individual learning style. One branch of our policy is to have
appropriate communication with parents that foster and support parent
culture and comfort including but not limited to an open door policy
The purpose of our full day three year old program is to promote
techniques that help gain healthy relationships which can be used
throughout lifes experiences. In addition prepare each child to master
each developmental stage while embracing each childs uniqueness. We
are aware that culture, family and community shape infants
temperament and attachment style. We will cater to each family's
individual needs while being sensitive and respecting their cultural
beliefs and values.
We are highly committed to meeting the cultural, development
and social needs of every child in our program. We are proud to offer a
high quality program to everyone without regard to race, color, gender,
creed, disabilities, national origin or religious affiliation.
Page #

Kids World Preschool

Our Mission
Being accredited through NAEYC we truly value their philosophies and
run our program with such passion. NAEYC has a commitment to respect the
dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member, and
colleague (NAEYC, 1997, p.7). Needless to say we share the same
commitment. This is important because our principals include respect, what is
developmentally appropriate and having a mindful approach to how we
interact with everyone in our program. As such we are hoping that when our
students have completed our program they will have a solid foundation as they
move on to higher levels of education and life.
Knowing the diverse needs of our community, we work closely with
other agencies within the Los Angeles County to better serve our families.
Some services include family referrals with housing and training fields,
employment, medical & health.

We respect the
dignity, worth,
and uniqueness of
each individual
-NAEYC

Inside the Classroom...

Your child will be in Room3, as through your initial parent survey answers, we found that Ms. Erika
will be a good counterpart with your child. She is caring, understanding, patient and a great
professional whom cares deeply for all children. Ms. Erikas classroom is made up of 14 children
(including your child) and has the assistance of a Co-Teacher. There are currently 8 boys and 6 girls
enrolled in Room3. We have 4 Caucasians, 6 African-Americans and 4 Mexican-American children.
We do have a friend who wears prescription glasses daily. This information is given to you so that
you can have a better understanding of the classroom dynamics.
Page #

Multicultural Importance in Preschool

In order to be productive and successful in todays world we must be able to learn, accept
and get along with others around us even when there are differences. It is within our
responsibilities as preschool professionals to prepare the children in our care for the real world, the
multicultural world. The staff at Kids World Preschool works together to help cultivate in children
the value of respecting other cultures and their religions. We are proud to say that all of our
classrooms here at Kids World Preschool represent the cultures around the Los Angeles area.
Culture, defied by author John Hooker in his book Working Across Cultures is the way that
human beings learn to live with one another and their environment (Hooker, 2003, p. 58). The
author of Diversity consciousness: Opening our minds to people, cultures, and opportunities,
Richard Bucher, goes on to say language, values, rules, beliefs, and even material things we create
are all part of ones culture (Bucher, 2000, p.2).
Learning about a diverse world early on in preschool is beneficial to all children and benefits
their parents and families. Diversity consciousness is important: Knowledge is power. Learning
about yourself and others helps you to cope with all kinds of situations. Knowledge can give you
confidence and instill pride in yourself and your culture ( Bucher, 2000. p. 96). Giving children an
early start on this gives them a chance to practice until they acquire such skills.
We believe that a Multicultural unit of a week or two does not have as much of an impact as
embracing a multicultural curriculum throughout the school year. We incorporate multicultural
learning throughout our daily routines here at Kids World Preschool.

Identity
As the philosopher Erik Eriksons states in his eight stages of development, the Identity vs.
Confusion stage, children are in need to answer the who am I? question. In this stage children
push parents aside and seek the answers from friends, school and society. As early childhood
educators we understand the importance of children developing a healthy sense of self. Here at
Kids World Preschool we assist children with finding their own identity through different positive
activities throughout the day. We as a team create an atmosphere where children feel they belong
in.
Our environment welcomes each of our students cultures throughout our learning centers.
We ask that each child share something from home that represents them along with their culture
and beliefs. We make it clear that all items will be shared with everyone in the classroom and
respected by all. We currently have a hammock for our outside playground, African rain sticks and
drums in our music center, and cultural baby dolls in our dramatic play area all which have been
donated by past students.
It is important that children are allowed to share stories of their own experiences and in
their own words while educators sit back and listen. We welcome stories of childrens home, family
lives and personal interests. This helps children share what makes them unique and listen to others
familiarities. While embracing cultural differences we encourage children to share what they
identify with. We have a weekly project for each child called The Rookie of the Week where one
child is the center attention. Each child is responsible for sharing a picture poster of things he
enjoys, family, friends, vacations and favorite things. During this week your child will have a chance
to share his/her favorite snack, book, song, toy and play activity from home. This helps other
children learn about their friend and the star student build confidence and good self-esteem when
sharing. After your childs week is over, the picture poster is hung in the classroom next to past
Rookies of the Week from the current school year for comparison and to further conversations
between children.

Bias
As we offer a rich multicultural environment where every child feels welcome and builds a
good sense of belonging we are sensitive on providing an anti-bias approach. We walk our children
through critical thinking and problem solving as discussions of differences come up through daily
experiences. The staff at Kids World Preschool recognizes and takes advantage of teachable
moments as much as possible. Sometimes preschoolers verbalize interesting theories of their own:
Respect childrens ideas while also giving them accurate information( Derman-Sparks, L. & the
A.B.C. Task Force. p.33). We openly discuss differences and similarities with our students highly
stressing the similarities. Being bias in the classroom helps those children that do come from
different states, countries and or paths feel comfortable with others and even boost their selfesteem.
Children are curious about the equipment and devices people use for specific disabilities
(Derman-Sparks, L. & the A.B.C. Task Force. p.42). All of our classrooms provide children with
tools that help those that are disabled for exploration and discussion. We have dolls that are
physically impaired in our dramatic play area, a child sized wheel chair and crutches in our
playground, prescription glasses and blind folds in our science area, and picture posters of disabled
people and their families throughout our classrooms. We choose pictures that depict disabilities in
our world ass being typical, the disabled working, being parents, going to school, having friends
just like the children in our care.
In all of our multicultural classrooms both teachers and students are accepting of all races,
cultures, and religions. This is evident by our literature choices, classroom activities and the lessons
we teach. Our library features multicultural characters as much as possible.

Social Justice
Cultural awareness is important here at Kids World Preschool. We make sure our children
understand culture first at home, at school, in the classroom and then in our immediate
community. The staff makes sure children have a good grip on cultures around them before
introducing our projects for social justice by raising awareness. Throughout the school year, both
staff and families in our preschool engage in many social projects depending on the need and
season. Some projects include food drives, toys for tots, adopt a highway, pennies for patients,
UNICEF and Susan G. Komen fundraisers.
Diversity Skills are those competencies that allow people to interact with others in a way
that respects and values differences. (Derman-Sparks, L. & the A.B.C. Task Force. p.32). One
project we have participated in for the last eight years is our Penpal Project which has been highly
successful. Even though our children are three years old they are all still able to take part in this
project with the permission of parents. Kids World Preschool has affiliations with two preschools
around the world whom we participate in the exchange of penpals. Our children can draw pictures
to children in Russia or Mexico once a month. Each child is paired with an international friend who
they can exchange hand drawn pictures, pictures of their environment and letters written by
parents but dictated by children. Children enjoy and look forward to receiving mail at our preschool
and sharing with class peers. It is with great enthusiasm that children share stories with their
parents and families.
It is awareness, understanding and skills that allow us to think through and value human
differences.

Parent Communication
Kids World Preschool believes that bridging the gap between home and school is extremely
important in the development of every childs school experience. Because we do have a wide
cultural awareness as educated staff we understand that different cultures have different needs and
communication methods. We offer open and respectful communication options where families can
choose what best suits them and are comfortable with. Our administration staff creates monthly
preschool newsletters, while each classroom is in charged of their own weekly highlights letter.
Parents are required to attend "parent guidance" before registering their child here at our
preschool center. This is an opportunity to visit our preschool, watch the orientation video and ask
questions. The staff takes great pride in explaining and walking new parents through our daily
schedule, curriculum, early childhood practices, policies and expectations. This also gives both
parents and teachers a chance to get to know each other and answer questions and doubts on bot
ends. Our staff supplies parents with a quick survey about their child, family, goals and interests.
We believe that teachers and parents need to have open communication in order to help
every child have a successful and productive early childhood school experience. Parent and teachers
communicate via parent board, conference, phone calls, emails, notes and in person conversations,
whichever is best for both and appropriate for the issue or concern at hand. Kids World Preschool
works closely with all teachers and supports them by helping them stay connected to all parents.
We are staffed enough to be able to have an assistant step into any classroom at any given time
throughout our operating hours if and when teachers need to step out and communicate with a
parent or primary caregiver.

Parent Involvement
We welcome all parents and primary caregivers to be an active part in the learning and
experiences of their child to ensure the well-being of all children in our school. When children see
and experience parents and teachers working together they obtain a sense of security and
belonging. All of our classrooms are not only children friendly but also parent friendly and
welcoming. As much as we like parent involvement we strongly encourage parent partnership. The
staff at Kids World Preschool works closely with all parents, primary caregivers and families in
positive ways always having the best interest of all children in hand. We strive for genuine
partnership between our staff and parents in our program.
We understand that families have different needs and wants which can make it a bit
difficult at times for them to participate in their childs education. With this said we work closely
with all parents and cater to their needs and schedule as best we can. We do not shame or isolate
parents who are not able to actively participate or be as involved as others. We respect and value
everyone equally. Everyone has something to offer in their own unique way.
Some ways you can be a partner in our program is through joining or participating with:
Volunteering
Donating Materials
Taking work home to cut or assemble
Class Field Trips
Classroom Parent
School Fundraisers
& last but not least Parent Organization.

References

Bucher, R. (2000). Diversity consciousness: Opening our minds to people, cultures, and
opportunities. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Derman-Sparks, L. & the A.B.C. Task Force. (1989). Anti-Bias Curriculum Tools for Empowering
Young Children. Washington DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Greenman, M. (2011). The Family Partnership. Exchange, 33(2)No.198, 46-48.
Hooker, J. (2003). Working across cultures. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford Business Books.
Stonehouse, A. (2011). Moving from family participation to partnership: Not always easy;
always worth the effort. Exchange, 33(2)No.198, 48-51.
Woolum, K. (2011). Taking your time with families. Exchange, 33(2)No.198, 55-56.

Multicultural Curriculum by:

Erika Maldonado

HD 400 Working with Children

in a Diverse World
Susan Bernheimer
March 31, 2015