At Head Start, we believe that parents are their children’s first and most important teachers, and that to address the needs of the whole child you have to address the needs of the whole family. The Head Start community also knows that welcoming differences and ensuring equality, respect and dignity for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is critical to ensuring that all children and families thrive.
- Creating a Welcoming Early Childhood Program - This resource series from the Office of Head Start offers strategies to build strong relationships with parents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
- All Children—All Families Project - This Human Rights Campaign project promotes LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and affirming practices among child welfare agencies and formally recognizes those agencies that are leading the field with innovative approaches to inclusion that can serve as examples for other organizations.
- Creating Positive School Environments - Welcoming Schools provides training and resources to educators to embrace all families, create LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students.
- Stories for All Project - First Book knows that children feel valued and validated when they see their own experiences reflected on the pages of books, and they develop curiosity and empathy when they read about experiences different from their own. To help your kids grow as both readers and global citizens, explore First Book’s curated selection of diverse books.
- Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Students - This guide from Teaching Tolerance is designed to help create an LGBTQ-inclusive school climate through four key areas: policy checkup, classroom culture, instruction, and family and community engagement.
Creating Inclusive Environments
- DEI Leadership Credential, Bias Buster Basics, and Bias Buster Essentials (The Academy at NHSA)
- Embracing LGBTQIA+ Staff in Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC)
- Creating Safe & Inclusive Schools for LGBTQ+ Families (Family Equality)
- READY, SET, RESPECT! Elementary School Toolkit (GLSEN, NAEYC, NAESP)
- Back to School Tool for LGBTQ+ Families (Family Equality)
Understanding Bias
- Understanding Anti-Bias Education: Bringing the Four Core Goals to Every Facet of Your Curriculum (NAEYC)
- The Unconscious Bias: An Educator's Self-Assessment (First Book)
Promoting Empathy
- LGBTQ Books (Common Sense)
- Reading and Teaching the Rainbow: Making Elementary School Classrooms LGBTQ-Inclusive (American Federation of Teachers)
- Diverse Book Finder (We Need Diverse Books)
- Talking to Children About Differences and Similarities (Office of Head
Related Content