Things are shining brightly at Sunny Day Preschool.
Instructor Cindy Winther was recently honored as a Diversity Champion in the ninth annual event sponsored by the Race Relations and Diversity Task Force.
‘Anything I do, I try to make it multicultural,? Winther explained.
One of Winther’s students? parents nominated her for the award that recognizes individuals and businesses that promote diversity.
For Winther, she tries to promote this concept in a variety of ways.
‘I never ever do any kind of game or circle time activity without making it multicultural,? she said.
In one case, Winther had the students make themselves out of clay, but gave them a selection of all different colors of clay to choose from. She said students selected many different colors to use as their skin tones, not necessarily ones that realistically reflected their skin, but that they realized there is more than one color.
Winther also promotes the concepts of diversity and equality with eggs.
‘I take a brown egg and white egg,? she explained, ‘and we talk about their differences, but then I crack it open so they can see it’s the same on the inside.?
According to Winther, she has always tried to promote diversity, but after taking a class at Baker College a few years ago, she realized it’s the little things that reinforce it, hence the different colors of clay.
Winther said she tries, in general, to teach her students about being caring and kind.
‘I just think if you teach them to be caring when they’re younger, it carries over into diversity and caring later,? she added.
Sunny Day Preschool also does several ‘caring? projects, such as making Christmas baskets for senior citizens.
For more information about Sunny Day, which currently operates three- and four year old classes, contact (248)693-9330.