Creating Affirming Environments

In creating my own 'Family Child Care Home' one of the most important learning aspects is the environment itself. The environment needs to be welcoming and accepting for all. The environment needs to be child-centered and full of diversity. 

To accomplish all of this I would have decorations, books, activities, games, puzzles, music, toys, art objects, pictures, furniture, posters, and miscellaneous objects that support all cultures for exploration and discovery. Within each center or area of the house there would be items related to different cultures and diversities. For example, in the housekeeping area some ideas for cultural related items I could have: clay bowls, an African mat, and Japanese/Chinese cook and dinnerware like chop sticks and sushi supplies. There would also be dress up clothes from difference economic classes such as a doctor, trash man, teacher, server, etc. as well as different cultures like kimonos, a Thobe (A loose, long-sleeved, ankle-length dress for Islamic men), Tagiyah (A white knitted skull cap worn under the Ghutra), Ghutra (A square scarf, made of cotton or silk, folded in a triangle and worn over the Tagiyah), Abaya (long black robe that covers Islamic women from head to toe. It can be made of silk or cotton and can light or heavy), Hijab (headscarf that covers the Islamic woman's hair and neck). There would be posters and pictures all over the main children's area of different cultures, working class, and individuals with different abilities. Throughout the day I would have all different kinds of music playing softly in the background. There needs to be ample amounts of diversity for children to learn and explore.