Face Puzzles!

Activity:  Face Puzzles.

Objective: For children to appreciate the physical characteristics of others. Children should develop positive attitudes towards human differences. 

Materials Needed: 

• Camera
• Film
• Rubber Cement
• Poster Board or Foam Core
• Mat Knife
• Pencil
• Ruler

Description of Activity: Taking close up's of children face and having the pictures enlarged to 8x10 or choice of size. Glue the photo onto poster board or foam core. After dry, using the ruler and making off the picture in fourth or more depending on age of children. Using the ruler making vertical and horizontal lines to create a puzzle. Cut out the piece using the mat knife and making sure children's initials are on the back of each piece. This can be done during a small group time and children are given a different puzzle and encouraged to try and put together their face puzzle. As your working with the children on this puzzle making sure we are talking about different features of the eyes, nose, mouth and where they are located o a person's face. When children have completed their puzzle  we can have more conversations talking about one feature but how each person's is different. I would love to do this kind of activity in my own classroom of 3-5 year old's I think its a great way to talk about our different physical differences. Making the puzzle and the process it takes to make it can also be fun for the children to make a puzzle of themselves. According to the Anti-Bias Activity Handout some of the goals it meets is that it provides children with a positive experience exploring similarities and differences. Secondly it recognizes, appreciates, and respects the uniqueness, beauty, value, and contribution of each child. And lastly it fosters positive self-esteem and a positive self-concept in children. 

This is an age appropriate activity because children in their threes and fours are better at noticing differences among people. " They can name, identify, and match people according to their physical characteristics" (York 17) For the five year old's they are still interested in their physical differences by they can now easily describe themselves in terms of physical features so this activity can encourage them to keep practicing. (York 18) 

This activity meets the anti-bias goals because its promoting a healthy development. It's important in these young years that children acquire a self-concept and build their self-esteem. During this time its important to minimize and prevent prejudice and help them learn about living in a culturally diverse society. With these puzzles we can foster a child's positive interaction with the diversity among the people they encounter with. ( York 129) This activity also discourages the fear of differences, some children might be afraid of being different. But with this activity it encourages teachers to have conversations with their children to help them understand and accept that there are other perspectives and other ways of being in the world. ( York 131) Both of these goals meet the Roots & Wings goal of demonstrating comfortable, empathetic interaction with diversity among people. The activity makes sure it makes children appreciate physical characteristics of others and explore similarities and differences in positive ways and they will develop positive attitudes towards them.

Shapesville by Andy Mills

This book can really make a connection with the activity because the book talks about Shapesville and five friends who live in a small town. They are all different shapes, sizes, and colors, and each has an unique talent. They encourage children to celebrate their own differences and learn that, "It’s not the size of your shape, or the shape of your size, but the size of your heart, and that deserves first prize. So be proud of your body, any size or shape will do. Be proud of your body because YOU are a STAR too!" This book can introduce the activity on talking about differences and to encourage children to celebrate their differences along with their peers. 

A Rainbow of Friends by P.K. Hallinan 

This book talks about how friends come in all colors and sizes and about personality traits. This book also makes sure that they should celebrate their differences because that's what makes them special. This book is also available in Spanish. I like how this book includes their friends as well and not only talks about the physical appearances but also their personality traits. This can also be a great book to introduce before doing the activity to get a grasp of how each child feels about talking about their differences. 

References:

"A Rainbow of Friends Paperback – December 1, 2005." A Rainbow of Friends: P. K. Hallinan: 9780824955199: Amazon.com: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.

"Shapesville Paperback – October 1, 2003." Shapesville: Andy Mills, Becky Osborn, Erica Neitz: 9780936077444: Amazon.com: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.

York, Stacey. Roots & Wings: Affirming Culture in Early Childhood Programs. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf, 1991. Print.