In November, your children worked to complete their first self-portrait of the school year. They are currently being displayed on our large bulletin board outside the classroom.

Upon returning from Winter Break, they began the process of creating a second self-portrait, but this time, adding color! To begin the process, we first read a book called “The Shades of People.”

The story prompted many of your children to reflect on their own facial features and skin color. Here are a few comments that we heard:

“I have freckles on my nose.”

“When I was a baby, mine was lighter.”

“Me and my sister have the same shade.”

“All of them are pretty!”

“Sometimes mine is dark brown. Now it’s lighter.”

“Mine is gold.”

“Mine is pink.”

We then taught them about the term melanin. Here’s how we explained the concept:

“We get our color from something smart inside our bodies called melanin that protects our skin from the sun. The darker your skin, the more melanin you have. The lighter your skin, the less melanin you have. Melanin makes our skin many beautiful shades from dark to light.”

Shades of hands from “Shades of People.”

Shades of hands from the Red Room.

While our skin is a part of what makes us who we are, it was important to mention that our skin color is also just like wrapping paper. In order to truly get to know us, you need to talk to us!

That’s why in the Red Room, we create many opportunities for your kids to learn more about one another, either through playing games like “The Great Wind Blows” or through other structured conversations like Turn and Talk Tuesdays. If your kids haven’t told you about “The Great Wind Blows,” be sure to ask them about it. It’s their FAVORITE game.

As soon as your children finish their newest self-portrait, we will be sure to share it with you here!