Ok...Now I'm A Little Annoyed About This!

[Heidi]

I am pre-shopping for items for my Youngstar evaluations. I have $500 to spend. One area I need more stuff in is my diversity representation. So, I am looking at dramatic play items...like multi-cultural costumes, and they are ridiculous!

First of all, no one in Russia, Italy, or Japan has worn these "clothes' for a few hundred years on a regular basis. Maybe for ceremonies and holidays, but seriously, do they honestly think Germans walk around in Dirndls and Lederhosen? Is that what makes them German?

And, the really funny one: The "African" costume is called The "African American" costume! uhhhh....

Oh, and I didn't see any Sari's or Burkas in the catalog....Hey, if we're going to represent other cultures, let's be fair about it!

Maybe I'll try the food section....oh wait....they have Tacos and Sushi. Can't I just feed the kids Tacos and Sushi, and spend my money elsewhere?

[Hunni Bee]

I am pre-shopping for items for my Youngstar evaluations. I have $500 to spend. One area I need more stuff in is my diversity representation. So, I am looking at dramatic play items...like multi-cultural costumes, and they are ridiculous!

First of all, no one in Russia, Italy, or Japan has worn these "clothes' for a few hundred years on a regular basis. Maybe for ceremonies and holidays, but seriously, do they honestly think Germans walk around in Dirndls and Lederhosen? Is that what makes them German?

And, the really funny one: The "African" costume is called The "African American" costume! uhhhh....

Oh, and I didn't see any Sari's or Burkas in the catalog....Hey, if we're going to represent other cultures, let's be fair about it!

Maybe I'll try the food section....oh wait....they have Tacos and Sushi. Can't I just feed the kids Tacos and Sushi, and spend my money elsewhere?

I agree, its a waste, and not realistic. Plus the costumes are so flimsy...I was given a pharaoh's headdress (with a wire snake attaches) a few months ago by our CCR&R...I really appreciate anything they give me, but seriously...? And you're right, what the people are actually wearing is not respresented...just what they think is "cute".

I focus on pictures/posters/books on different cultures and the play food.

[BigMama]

One thing I would suggest as an alternative to dress-up clothes is to get several yards of different cloth. You can get a yard of kente inspired cloth, tie dyed cloth, batik patterned cloth, brocade, etc. Having just lengths of cloth is actually multicultural in itself as the children can wear them as they please: as a sari, a dashiki, a head scarf, a skirt, a toga, a shawl, etc.
Another suggestion is to focus on hats (kufi, bonnet, Japanese straw hat, knitted winter hat, cowboy hat, head scarf, etc. and shoes (wooden clogs, boots, Chinese slippers, sandals, etc.)

[BigMama]

Actually you can incorporate diversity everywhere:
Books

Posters

Art Area: use red clay, beads from different countries, weaving projects, have markers, paint, paper, and playdough in myriad of shades of brown, use origami or rice paper,

Block area: there are several very cool block sets available now that are based on the architecture in different places, post photographs of different kinds of houses and homes around the world, offer different types of vehicles as accessories (cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, trucks, etc.

Dramatic play: baby dolls representing many different ethnic backgrounds, add cooking props to your play kitchen (chopsticks, wok, grill, teacups)

Music: play music from around the world, offer instruments from different cultures (guiro skekere, rainstick, diembe, maracas, ukelele, etc.

[Hunni Bee]

Actually you can incorporate diversity everywhere:
Books

Posters

Art Area: use red clay, beads from different countries, weaving projects, have markers, paint, paper, and playdough in myriad of shades of brown, use origami or rice paper,

Block area: there are several very cool block sets available now that are based on the architecture in different places, post photographs of different kinds of houses and homes around the world, offer different types of vehicles as accessories (cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, trucks, etc.

Dramatic play: baby dolls representing many different ethnic backgrounds, add cooking props to your play kitchen (chopsticks, wok, grill, teacups)

Music: play music from around the world, offer instruments from different cultures (guiro skekere, rainstick, diembe, maracas, ukelele, etc.

Yes. This.

[Crystal]

I was going to suggest some of the same stuff as BigMama. Great ideas!

I also make it a point to make sure I am representing the cultures of my group, not necessarily ALL cultures. Photos of the children and families that you work with are perfect. You can ask them to share traditions and ask them to bring something for a display that represents their culture....whether it's clothing, musical instruments, a special toy, etc. It's a great way to get your families involved AND it's FREE!!!!! happyface

[Childminder]

I bought block people that are Asian, black, Caucasian, American Indian and Hispanic for my cultural diversity. Ryan's Family I think the brand was. Board books were another purchase and musical instruments as well as 'faces' floor puzzle. This ended up being about $400. Most of the items were from Kaplanco.com and discountschoolsupply.com. They had some Multicultural baby dolls that I like but could not spend what they were asking, I'm a craigslist/garage sale kinda gal and NEVER pay full price for anything.

[melskids]

One thing I would suggest as an alternative to dress-up clothes is to get several yards of different cloth. You can get a yard of kente inspired cloth, tie dyed cloth, batik patterned cloth, brocade, etc. Having just lengths of cloth is actually multicultural in itself as the children can wear them as they please: as a sari, a dashiki, a head scarf, a skirt, a toga, a shawl, etc.
Another suggestion is to focus on hats (kufi, bonnet, Japanese straw hat, knitted winter hat, cowboy hat, head scarf, etc. and shoes (wooden clogs, boots, Chinese slippers, sandals, etc.)

This is how I do it too. I did buy some multicultural hats from oriental trading, but as far as dress up clothes, they all prefer the bolts of fabric to anything else. I even bought animal print ones so they can be animals too.

[Heidi]

thanks for all the great ideas! Unfortunately, the grant means I have to spend the money at Kaplan, Discount School Supply, or Lakeshore. I don't like the prices at those, nor do I like most of the "multi-cultural" toys. I think I will stick to the block area people, I have posters, and maybe buy some hats out of my own $.

[Countrygal]

One thing I would suggest as an alternative to dress-up clothes is to get several yards of different cloth. You can get a yard of kente inspired cloth, tie dyed cloth, batik patterned cloth, brocade, etc. Having just lengths of cloth is actually multicultural in itself as the children can wear them as they please: as a sari, a dashiki, a head scarf, a skirt, a toga, a shawl, etc.
Another suggestion is to focus on hats (kufi, bonnet, Japanese straw hat, knitted winter hat, cowboy hat, head scarf, etc. and shoes (wooden clogs, boots, Chinese slippers, sandals, etc.)

I was thinking about the cloth idea myself as I read the posts before this one. I like the hat idea as well!

[Ariana]

We used all the traditional dress of different cultures in our program at the centre I worked at. It might not be what these people wear right now but they're very proud of their heritage and dress up like this during special ceremonies and holidays. I don't see anything wrong with it. We also did the multicultural food and our Asian cook would make us wonderful Asian lunches!!

[SunnyDay]

Discount school supply has the different pretend play families in their dollar days sale for $3 when you enter code EASY 123! I just bought all 4

http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Community/Welcome.aspx?welcomeid=527&category=4435&Rating=0

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I'm laughing.

My African American husband has never worn anything remotely African looking. :: Oh so funny.