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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. I absolutely love Misty Copeland! If you have never heard of her, Misty is the first African-American to become the principal ballerina for the American Ballet Theater. She is stunning, poised, graceful - incredible. I did ballet when I was young. I wasn't that good; I just didn't have the passion necessary to develop significant talent. But I have always loved watching dance and been interested in this incredibly physically demanding activity. So watching Misty Copeland and all that she has overcome to become the very best in virtually the entire dance world is incredibly inspiring. This documentary about her dance life illustrates what a wonderful role model Misty is for all kids. If you hone your natural talent, find role models and mentors, and work your butt off - you can achieve anything. Even the thing that was supposed to be impossible for someone of your race, ethnicity, and physical build. I was mesmerized by Misty's story and her dancing. If you have a child that loves dance, or is just passionate about what they do, this documentary is a must watch. So, check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions, comments, and activities as you all watch the movie together. There is also a link to buy Misty's Barbie doll - which may just end up in my child's stocking this holiday season... What do you think about Misty Copeland's accomplishment? Do you think that she is a good role model? For all kids or just those interested in dance? Leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN! 
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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. How many of you had Barbie dolls when you were growing up? I know I had a ton and I loved them. I'm not sure when I realized that their bodies were absolutely ridiculous and unattainable, but I do know that there weren't too many alternatives. Enter the Lammily doll! These amazing dolls actually have real proportions - proportions of an actual person who can fit all of their organs within their waist size. These dolls are great because they really can do so much of what Barbie can do, but they actually look like normal girls - and they have a boy! What a great way for kids to start to internalize positive images about their normal-sized bodies. So, check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions, comments, and activities as your child plays with their much healthier doll. There is also a link to buy it. Do you think it is important for kids to have dolls with realistic body sizes? Why or why not? Can or should these dolls replace Barbie? Leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN!
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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. This book holds a very special place in my heart. When my older child, my son, was born, I vowed to read books to him every night. I read the same two books to him for the first 18 (or so) months of his life. This was one of those books. Part of the reason that I picked it was because of the fantastic diversity throughout the book. Not just of skin color, but also region, country, and culture. The lovely theme of this book is that we have similarities that all bind us together as people, even though we may look different on the outside. So I read it every night until he was old enough to switch things up a bit and choose his own books. I still get incredibly nostalgic when he, or his little sister, pick this book to read at night. I could read it every night until they are 18 - I will never tire of it. So, check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions, comments, and activities as you and your child read this book together. I have a great movie recommendation as a complement to this book. Just be sure that you have tissues - it's not a sad movie, but it is incredibly touching. I may or may not have cried through most of it (to be fair - I was pregnant at the time) There is also a link to buy this lovely book. What books are special treasures for you and your kids? Are those books with some great diversity? What book recommendations do you have for the CCK community? Leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN!
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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. We're back to another great book. This one was sent to us by DC's Books From Birth program through DC Public Libraries. If you live in Washington, DC and have a child under age 5, be sure to check it out. They sent us this book a few months ago and it instantly became a household favorite. It is a fantastic story about a Hindu God, called Ganesha, and how an epic Hindu poem came to be written. I loved the story and how relatable it is for kids, but it's the illustrations that really captured my attention. Deep blues, vivid pinks, bright oranges. The pictures are gorgeous! Be sure to spend extra time with your little one marveling at the stunning visuals in this book. Check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions, comments, and activities as you and your child read this book together. There is also a link to buy this fantastic book (or if you're in DC - sign up for the program and they might send it to you!) Are you familiar with the Hindu religion and Hindu culture? If not, what did you learn? How do you think the illustrations really bring this story to life? Leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN!
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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. This week's item is so unique and special that as soon as I discovered it, I knew I had to share it with you all. It's a series of dolls called Hope Toys. These are not just any old doll. All of the dolls have some form of physical disability. Some children use walkers, some are in wheelchairs, others have prosthetic limbs. In addition to showcasing children with disabilities, the dolls come in a variety of skin colors. So they really represent actual people in the real world who just happen to have physical disabilities. The reason that I love this item so much is that kids learn so much through play. With these dolls they can incorporate people with physical differences into the worlds that they create. Those worlds can now be truly reflective of the people that they see around them. And also through this play, children can learn that kids with disabilities are just like them. They can still be friends and play together. What an amazing lesson to teach. Also, these dolls allow for children who have physical disabilities to have toys that are representative of who they are. Having a 3- and 6-year-old, I visit many toy stores and I don't know that I've ever seen a doll with a disability on the shelves. What a gift to be able to give children with disabilities a toy that looks and operates just like they do. No matter who you are, you need a toy that represents you - whatever that may look like. Check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions, comments, activities and games to engage in as you and your child play with these fantastic toys. Below is a link to the Hope Toys website so you can check out the options and perhaps add one to your collection. Have you ever seen a doll with a disability in a toy store? If so, which one? Did you buy it? Why or why not? If you have an able-bodied child, do you think they would enjoy playing with these dolls? Why or why not? Leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN!
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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. Last week, we talked about someone who has been around for awhile - love Dora! - but this week we're talking about a new fabulous Latina. And frankly - she kicks butt. This new show on Disney Junior is called Elena of Avalor and it's absolutely fantastic. It is my daughter's new favorite show and, I admit, I love to watch it too. Elena is a crown princess who seeks counsel and wisdom from friends and family. She is a ruler who takes her job very seriously - she's not just waiting for some man to tell her what to do. Such a fantastic role model for girls - and boys - of all races. And she speaks Spanish too! Check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions, comments, and activities to talk about and engage in as you watch this great new show together. There's also a link to get more from Elena. What do you think about Disney finally giving us a Latina princess? Is Elena a good role model? Why or why not? Leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN!
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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. I'm pretty sure most of you reading this have at least heard of Dora. Dora the Explorer on Nick Junior is a great show where a little girl goes on wonderful adventures with her friends. The fact that she is Latina and does not wear clothes that exhibit gender stereotypes feels almost like an afterthought. I love how they incorporate Spanish words throughout in a way that even the littlest fans can understand. If you check out the video - you'll get an example of this from my preschool teacher days (a loooonnnnggg time ago - Dora's been around for awhile!). Check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions, comments, and activities to engage in with your kids as you watch Dora. There's also a link to watch some episodes. Remember, the show is on Nick Junior. Have you ever watched Dora with your kids? What is your favorite aspect of the show? Has the show inspired interest in learning another language? Did you encourage this in your child? Leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN!
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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. How many of you have a little girl or boy who loves their dolls and stuffed animals? This week's item is definitely for you. My little girl is incredibly attached to her dolls; she carries them around everywhere. Even though these dolls are quite large - I think that my daughter would attempt to drag them all over the house as well. This week's item is called Heart For Heart Girls and they are dolls from all over the world. They have dolls from Laos, Belarus, and Afghanistan, just to name a few. So you get a great sturdy doll that will last quite a while that will also teach you something about a country that you may have not been to. Or if you have or your family is from there - you actually have a doll to represent your culture - hooray! Check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions, comments, and activities to engage in with your kids as you are playing with these dolls. There's also a link to buy them - and there are lots of girls to choose from. Which dolls are you most interested in? How will you use these to learn more about a particular region, cultural group, or country? What other diverse doll options are out there? Share suggestions with us or leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN!
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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have been absolutely glued to the TV over the past week. It's the Olympics and it has taken over! I have always loved the Olympics and the summer games are my favorite (sorry winter - I love you too!). And these 2016 games seem to be more historic than others. For reasons phenomenal (Simone Biles & the Final Five!) and not so great (I'm looking at you Ryan Lotche). One historic event that especially tugged at my heartstrings was the win by the other Simone - the fabulous Simone Manuel. Her win as the first African-American to earn an individual gold in swimming is more symbolic and significant than many people think. It immediately made me think of another book given to us by my mom (seriously, would we even have a children's book collection without her?!?!) called Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles & Jerome Lagarrigue. It's about two boys growing up in the Jim Crow south and the fact that they can't swim together in the public pool. It is a fantastic book and a fantastic way to explain the significance of her win. It is not just about an American person of color winning gold - it goes deeper than that. And truly understanding the context helps us to appreciate just how special this strong, beautiful, poised young lady is. So check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions and comments you can ask your kids as you're reading the book together. There's also a link to buy it - which I highly recommend. Do you know any Black people that cannot/do not swim? If you are Black - is there anyone in your family who does not swim? What did this win mean to you? Were you aware of the context? Leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN!
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It's Just For Fun Friday! On JFFF, we review items and activities that you can do with your kids in order to increase their cultural competence and diversity awareness. Remember the giveaway is still going on, but it ends this Monday! Stay tuned to the end of the video for the information you need to enter! This book is one of my new favorites. It was given to me by one of my favorite people (thanks Mom!) and features one of my favorite illustrators (definitely seek out more of LeUyen Pham's work - it's phenomenal) and the story - well, it's just so fitting right now. Grace is trying to figure out why there haven't been any girl presidents and decides to run herself. She soon figures out that becoming president isn't so easy. The actual story itself is wonderful and adults will recognize more subtle messaging about what is and isn't valued in a presidential race. The book also teaches kids about the election process - the electoral college and how it works. A valuable lesson for all Americans (and anyone else who is interested!). The fact that Grace happens to be a Black female is never mentioned overtly, but it is right there for kiddos to see. It can spark some fantastic discussion and if your kids are old enough to understand the current presidential race, there's a lot of comparing and contrasting that can probably be done. If you want to talk to your kids about politics, but are not sure how to start, this book is a great jumping off point. So check out the video and then print out the page below for a quick list of potential questions and comments you can ask your kids as you're reading the book together. There's also a link to buy it - which I highly recommend. What do you think of Grace being a Black girl who wants to run for president? How does that change the story? Do you and your kids think she is the best person for the job? Why or why not? How will you use this book to talk about the presidential race, the presidency, and/or politics with your kids? Leave a comment below. Most of all, enjoy. And don't forget to HAVE FUN!
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About Just For Fun!
This is the place to go to develop your child's cultural competence while still having fun! If you know that your child needs this essential 21st century skill, but find it so overwhelming, you are in the right place. Using everyday items and activities, you can increase the diversity awareness in your home. It's Just For Fun! Never Miss a Post! Sign Up For Our Newsletter Today!
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