Page 7 - LESSION 20.pmd

Understanding Diversity

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.1
Notes
Explain the following in one sentence only:
(a) Caste
(b) Race

(c) Multi-linguism
(d) Ethnicity
(e) Gender

Physical disabilities: Physical disabilities are related to impairments leading to
some restrictions of the physical activities. These should not be used as an excuse
for not involving the children with disabilities in teaching-learning activities
along with the rest of the group. Presence of children with disability in the
classroom provides an opportunity to the teachers as well as school administration
to grow professionally.
Children with physical disabilities can be easily included in classroom activities,
by slight modification in the pedagogy. For example, during rhyme time,
children with hearing impairment can be included if the teacher incorporates
sign language. This will give them a sense of rhythm and promote belongingness.
The child with visual impairment may be easily involved in colouring activities
by giving them a colouring sheet with tactile boundaries made using sticks, or
thread or simply pasting an article of the same shape (example bangle for a
circle) on the sheet.
The teacher can also learn from parents the signs used at home for common
words like no, yes, I want, I like, I need, etc. In the classroom, these signs can
be accompanied by flash cards or pictures which the child can use while
communicating with teachers and peers. A sign language expert or special
educator may also be consulted to facilitate communication.
While dealing with children with disabilities, our words, or how we address them
matter a great deal. It is always advisable to use the word ‘child’ first followed
by the type of disability. For example, instead of saying ‘autistic child’ say, ‘child
with autism.’ Some suggestions are listed below:

Use Child with disability Instead of Disabled child

Use Child with an intellectual disability Instead of mentally retarded, retarded,
idiot,moron etc.
Use Child using wheel chair Instead of wheel-chair bound, confined to wheel
chair

Use Child with visual impairment Instead of visually impaired child

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 191