Image by Kenny Eliason: Unsplash
Promoting diversity and inclusivity in the classroom is of the utmost importance to make every student feel welcomed, safe and supported at school. Discrimination and bullying still occur in the classroom, and it can be difficult for teachers to mediate, stop bullying in schools and protect students.
Addressing issues or discussing serious topics can be uncomfortable or triggering, but the classroom should be a safe space to teach lessons and raise awareness while being compassionate and empathetic. There are various types of diversity from gender, race and sexual orientation, to social identity, culture and ability, and all are important for students to understand and be made aware of.
In a rapidly diversifying world, part of a teacher's role is to ensure that all students feel comfortable having open conversations about diversity and inclusivity.
Here’s how teachers can encourage open conversations about diversity with students:
Normalise conversations about diversity
The best way to encourage open conversations about diversity with students is to regularly discuss and explore different types of diversity within the classroom. Discussions about diversity shouldn’t just take place because of awareness days, or because of discussions in popular media, they should be part of regular conversations about identity and belonging.
It’s important for students to be aware of and understand the different types of history and diversity in the classroom and how it can affect people if they don’t feel they are fully understood.
Having regular conversations about diversity be it weekly or monthly can give students more of an understanding of the different types of diversity and the differences within the classroom.
Teachers can normalise conversations about diversity and improve the way children think and act from a young age to set them in good stead for the future.
Encourage open-ended questions
Students will no doubt be curious and have questions about different religions, sexual orientation and other things they might not fully understand or they may have heard or read about.
As the internet and social media opens up even more questions and conversations, it is important that students can confide in their teacher and their answers or thoughts can be answered, explained or supported.
Teachers can encourage students to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings by asking them to be open-minded and curious. Encouraging students to ask questions makes it easier to challenge stereotypes and assumptions that they may have come across in the playground or online.
If students don’t want to voice their questions or opinions in a group setting, teachers should also make students aware of the fact that they can ask questions and explore their thoughts in smaller groups or in a 121 conversation with their teacher.
Give students a voice
It’s important that teachers don’t only encourage conversations or lessons about diversity, but give students the opportunity to speak out and share with the class. What makes people unique should be celebrated and explored in school, and Teachers can amplify the voices of LGBTQA+ students and students from ethnic backgrounds by giving them the time and space to share their traditions and experiences with the class.
Conversations about diversity can give students the opportunity to inform the class as well as teachers about the customs, values and beliefs in their culture, religion or background. This can give students a sense of community and kinship while simultaneously making discussions more personally relevant.
Promoting student voices can also be an eye opener for teachers as they can directly learn from those who belong to a diverse group and from their real life experiences. From this, Teachers can develop their understanding and adapt their teaching strategies to provide other students with the opportunity to learn and embrace diversity from their peers.
Use diverse media
While it’s important for teachers to encourage open conversations about diversity in the classroom and raise awareness, the purpose isn’t to make discussions around diversity seem forced or convenient but familiar and comfortable.
Teachers can normalise, increase and reflect diversity in the classroom by using diverse media in their lessons to represent different cultures and people. Include images of people that represent different ethnicities, sizes, abilities, and clothing in your activities, posters, and games.
Underrepresentation in classroom media can have a negative affect on children and make them feel secluded. Seeing examples of diverse people in handouts, books and class presentations not only provides more opportunities for students to have conversations about diversity and encourages questions.
Having a balanced representation of the different people in the classroom should be the norm to make all students feel included and visible among their peers. This can enhance students' awareness and understanding of the achievements of people from different cultures, religions and backgrounds.
Why do conversations about diversity matter?
It’s crucial that teachers encourage conversations about diversity in the classroom so every student can develop an understanding and an appreciation of the differences among their peers as well as people around the world.
Students are taught the importance of being respectful and understanding of other people’s feelings, and exposure to diverse people and groups in the form of conversations and representation can prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
Students should feel comfortable in the classroom coming forward with questions and empowered to spark conversations about diversity and share their stories. Giving students a voice can build their confidence, instil a sense of pride and encourage them to embrace their diversity and what makes them different.
Every child has diverse experiences and opening up the conversation to be more diverse and inclusive also provides them with the opportunity to share what they know and understand. Not only does learning about diversity in the classroom enhance the perspective of students, but it can also help teachers learn more as they engage with the realities of today's diverse classroom.
The more conversations teachers have with students about diversity, the better they will be at understanding and promoting appropriate conversations.
Nicole Sherwood is the Content Writer at award-winning recruitment agency Spencer Clarke Group. Spencer Clarke Group specialise in connecting teaching and support staff to mainstream and SEND schools all over the UK. Nicole joined Spencer Clarke Group in 2023 and writes SEO optimised content for their Career Hub. Nicole provides expert insight, career advice and useful information to a variety of individuals, businesses and companies.
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