Diversity in UPK class

DS started UPK in a daycare setting yesterday (he's been in regular daycare for the past 2 years). I know that diversity was fairly lacking from the previous year's pictures, but this year, DS is the only kid in his class of a different ethnicity (the entire class is of one ethnicity). At 4 years old, do kids feel "different"? I don't want DS to feel uncomfortable and am considering trying to apply to another program but I know options are limited at this point.

Would this make any one else feel a little weird? No complaints about the school or anything... I mean, it's only been one day... but people seem to be nice (same ethnicity as the children...so DS is literally the only one there that is of a different race).

Re: Diversity in UPK class

Yes, they do start to notice... But not necessarily in the way you would think.
DS and DD classified people according to hair color:
Black hair (the grand majority of kids)
Brown hair (my kids and a few others)
White hair (blonde)
Their preK was extremely diverse (that was one of our likes about it).
It's PreK... Unless kids are excluding yours, I wouldn't really pay mind to it.

Diversity in UPK class

How is the district when it comes to diversity? I would think what you're seeing in upk won't be too far off from what you'll see going forward in the district. That being said,I probably wouldn't switch programs if kindergarten is just going to be a similar situation.

As far as how the kids will react,I would think they'd follow the lead of the adults which will hopefully be that it's no big deal. They may indeed ask a question now and then but as long as the adults around address it in a matter of fact way without making it a big deal hopefully they'll all learn that there's nothing to really feel different about.

Re: Diversity in UPK class

Re: Diversity in UPK class

Diversity in UPK class

I don't think it's an issue unless you or the other parents make it an issue. These are kids your child will be going to school with for the rest of his/her school life since it's UPK, so I really wouldn't look for another school.

Diversity in UPK class

i wouldn't make an issue of it, unless other kids are treating you kid differently because of it. (teasing, etc) which i HOPE isn't happening in pre-k!!! You have to think that elementary will probably be the same kids, right? so now is the time to get used to it.
Our son is Korean, and DH and I are white (we adopted him). we also live in a mostly white town... so a lot of times he's the only asian kid when we go places. (pretty sure he's the only one in his new kindergarten class). he's only 5... but we're starting to get questions, like " You're his mom? How come he has tan skin, and you don't?" I just say its because everybody looks different, and thats what makes things neat. I would just keep communication open with your son. even though he's young.... and just make sure he doesn't feel uncomfortable because of it, that he's not getting teased, etc. Thats what we do with our son...

Re: Diversity in UPK class

Re: Diversity in UPK class

Re: Diversity in UPK class

Posted by NervousNell

Yes this.
My DD was best friends in K with an little girl who's family was from India.
She would draw pictures of them together and say, I drew her with brown skin because she has brown skin and I drew me with peach skin but I think I have more of a tan skin. (she got my husband's olive complexion and tans very easily even with SPF 50 on! )
But she never once would think anything of it or mention the difference in any other way than a different colored skin color in her drawings kwim?

Message edited 9/10/2016 9:13:20 AM.