Anti-Bias Activity - It's Me!

It's Me!

Description: Have the children create a self portrait.  Invite them to use mirrors to analyze the specific characteristics that make them each unique and then create a portrait of what they see.  Some children may need some guiding to realize their own personal characteristics, such as their hair being long or short, curly or straight, or even light or dark.  Reassure them that they are able to use the mirror throughout in case they need to refer back to it.  Once all children have completed their self portraits, have the everyone share them together in one whole group.
Materials:
* Mirrors (Unbreakable)
* Skin-color art supplies - paints, markers, crayons
* Construction or drawing paper

I selected this activity, because of the importance of self appreciation, as well as the use of their artistic abilities to create something that is so personal to them, as it is a portrait of themselves.  I thought it was wonderful to see the use of the mirrors to allow the child to study their unique features and perhaps notice some things about themselves that they might not have noticed before.  Referring back to the mirror throughout the project helps the child not feel stressed out about getting it correct from memory, as the mirror is available for constant use.
The age that I feel this project is appropriate for is as young as 2 years old, as that is when they are starting to make realizations about their own personal physical characteristics and those around the (Roots & Wings 26).  While the idea of the project is suitable for the young age thought process, it might require them to be slightly more towards the 4-6 year old age range in order to understand the project fully and how to use the mirrors in relation to the self portrait.  Additionally, these children are beginning to notice these differences more and starting to question them.  Addressing them now would allow them to have better self acceptance and work towards some of the Anti-Bias goals in regards to acceptance and respect towards ones self and peers around them.  After that age, it would be appropriate for anyone in the older end of early childhood as well.  Personally, I think it would be interesting to have this type of project be an annual thing that is done, and then children can see how their interpretations of themselves have progressed as the years have gone by.
This is a very appropriate theme in my opinion because it requires a child to look at themselves first and really see what makes them who they are.  Children begin to notice that they share similarities and differences (Handout, 2).  After looking at their own faces, they can better see how peers are similar to them, as well as the things that make them each unique and different.  Just as it is important for us as teachers to evaluate our own personal beliefs, cultures and identities, this is an important beginning for these young children to start self evaluating by using something that is familiar and understandable to them.
Anti-Bias Goals:
* Recognize, appreciate and accept the uniqueness, beauty, value and contribution of each child.
* Provide children with a positive experience exploring similarities and differences.
* Help children live happily and cooperatively in a diverse world (Handout, 1).
How are these Goals Met?
First off, these children would be able to see a creative representation of each child's interpretation of their faces.  By using the skin tone colored art materials that best matches their personal tonality, it creates a more accurate depiction of how they differ from one another.  As these self portraits are discussed and then hung around the classroom, everyone can then see how everyone fits in and is a key member of this community in their own way.  The second goal is met by this activity being simple and understandable for these young preschoolers.  The subject matter is something they are around on a daily basis and should be something they can proudly interpret without any negative insight since it is their own face.  The third and final goal can be met by the sharing of each peer's self portrait, and being able to relate to similarities and differences.  Being able to make a connection with each individual in the classroom is a valuable experience, and after seeing that these physical similarities and differences don't have to affect their shared interests, it would allow the focus to shift from looks towards feelings and respect.

Children's Books to Support:
All About Faces - La Zoo
I feel that this book would be a good starting point, as it discusses the different shapes and attributes faces can have.  Since this project is primarily about a child evaluating their own face, this book would be a good introduction in order to help label what specific features are on their own face, as well as the individuals they see around them in the classroom and in their day to day lives.
What I Like About Me - Allia Zobel Nolan
This second book is a good second step towards the self portrait project, since it discusses things about the individual child.  It goes in to talking about different hair, height, feet size, eyebrows, ears and other various features that often stand out if they appear to be different from the normal.  Instead, each child in the story says what their feature is, usually side by side with someone that has an opposite feature, and says what they like about it.  I feel that this book would be an excellent introduction the day of the project, as it concludes with a mirror and asks the question, "What is it you like best about you?"  This creates a positive opening to the project at hand, and introduces them directly to seeing specific differences and that it is okay to be you.
A Rainbow of Friends - P.K. Hallinan
I found this book to be a good conclusion, and as a stepping stone from looking at what each person looks like physically to discussing the idea of respect and community within the classroom.  It uses the view of a rainbow to discuss the various differences between each individual and what they have that might be different from you or your peers but in the end if everyone works together as a team with the same goals in sight, it creates the finished "rainbow" of each individual in the classroom as a whole unit.  I especially liked how this book didn't just discuss skin color differences, but also their abilities.

Additional Activity Ideas:
Something that could be done to expand this type of project would be to use a full length piece of paper and trace the child's body on it to scale.  After their body is traced, they can refer to a full length mirror to see not only what their face looks like, but also what their clothing looks like in order to relay it on to their body tracing paper.  Once finished, the papers can be cut to size and displayed around the classroom to not only give a visual of what they noticed about themselves and each other, but also include differences such as height and cultural clothing choices if applicable.

Another idea would be to have the children draw directly on to the mirror they are looking at themselves in and trace their features.  This might be a good starting activity for younger children that are still exploring faces and shapes before moving forward to transfer what they see on to a piece of paper.
A third idea that could be done with this type of project would be to explore drawing another individual in the classroom.  Instead of using mirrors, the pairs would sit across the table from each other and draw what they see.  This activity would really work on their respect for individuals that are different from them, and require them to recognize that these physical characteristic do not solely define the person for who they are as an individual.
Conclusion:

In conclusion, I feel that this is a wonderful activity that can be used to raise awareness with one's self as well as those around them in the classroom.  It seems that so many young children grow up being told by society that their own physical features are undesirable and they should change their hair, skin color, eye color, etc.  It would be wonderful to help these children at a young age embrace who they are and like themselves for what they have.  Once being introduced to their self awareness of what makes them unique, they can then begin to look at the classroom around them to recognize how unique and special each of their classmates are in a positive, respectful manner.  Art is a wonderful means of self expression, and one their self-portrait has been created they can share with the class all about what makes them who they are.
References:

Bliss, Professor Kelly. (2014). Goals for Anti-Bias Curriculum. Retrieved from https://sierra.instructure.com/courses/245205/files/21938426/
Hallinan, P.K. (2005). A Rainbow of Friends. Nashville, TN: Ideal's Children's Books.
Nolan, A.Z. (2009). What I Like About Me!. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.
York, Stacey (2003). Roots & Wings:Affirming Culture in Early Childhood Programs. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Zoo, La (2009). All About Faces. New York City, NY: Seven Footer Press.