LGBTQIA+ EARLY YEARS AWARENESS WEEK ACTIVITIES
22 - 26 FEBRUARY 2021
PLEASE SEE, BELOW, ALL OF SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE OUR SPECIAL AWARENESS WEEK
COMPETITION TIME! OUR FREE PRIZE DRAW!
WIN £50 OF AMAZON VOUCHERS!
Simply share your activities, photos and images with us using #LGBTQEarlyYears across all Social Media Platforms (Twitter, Facebook & Instagram) and you will be added into our FREE PRIZE DRAW for the chance to win £50 of Amazon Vouchers!
LGBTQIA+ Early Years Awareness Week Launch
Join us at the launch of the LGBTQIA+ Early Years Awareness week where we will have some special Guests and also launching our magazine, full of articles and information compiled especially for all Early Childcare Professionals and written by our Early Years LGBTQIA+ Professionals.
Recommended Book of the Day
Introducing Teddy
Written by Jessica Walton, this is a FANTASTIC book! What makes this book, about a teddy bear who is transgender, so amazing is that it really reflects most young children's views and acceptance of someone who is transgender.
Click on button below to watch & listen as Jessica Walton shares her book on YouTube.
Interaction of the Day
LGBTQIA+ Early Years
Aaron Bradbury explores the concept of introducing the discussion around LGBTQIA+ into the Early Years and why it matters
Click on the image below to watch Aaron's keynote and Derby University Early Childhood Conference in November 2020.
Activities of the Day
Rainbow Spaghetti
You will need:
- 200g of dried spaghetti
- Mix of food colourings
To serve (optional)
- 50g of grated cheese
- Salad dressing or melted butter
Click on the button below for the instructions
Painted Rainbow Rocks
You will need:
- Smooth stones or pebbles
- Paint brushes
- Acrylic craft paint (various colours)
- Acrylic craft sealer
- Painting aprons (to protect clothing)
Click on the button below for the instructions
Recommended Book of the Day
Mommy, Mama, and Me
Written by Leslea Newman, this is a FANTASTIC book looking at rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal. It shows a toddler spending the day with its mommies. From hide-and-seek to dressing-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together. Share the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children..
Click on button below to watch & listen to this beautiful story on YouTube.
Interaction of the Day
Team Early Childhood Podcast
Join Gary Coffey and the some of the members of the LGBTQIA+ Early Years Working Group as he interviews them and they discuss the origins of where it all began.
Click on the button below to access this informative chat
Activities of the Day
Shaving Foam Rainbows
You will need:
- Paint in rainbow colours
- Shallow pan (a 9″ x 13″ baking pan works)
- Watercolor paper
- Scraper (if you don't have one use a strip of paper)
- Shaving cream (foamy not the gel kind)
Click on the button below for the instructions
Straw Blowing Rainbows
You will need:
- Rainbow paint in a squeezy bottle (various colours)
- Straws
- Thick heavy weight paper or card
- Painting aprons (to protect clothes)
Click on the button below for the instructions
Recommended Book of the Day
Daddy, Papa and Me
Written by Leslea Newman, this is a FANTASTIC book looking at rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal, which shows a toddler spending the day with its daddies. From hide-and-seek to dressing-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together. Share the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.
Click on button below to watch & listen to this beautiful story on YouTube.
Interaction of the Day
In Conversation with... Garry Ratcliffe
Garry is the CEO and Executive Headteacher of The Galaxy Trust, a Multi Academy Trust of 3 Primary Schools in Dartford. He is married to Kyle and between them they have adopted 4 amazing children, and he absolutely loves talking about his family, and his passion for improving the lives for all children shines through.
Click on the button below to meet Garry! You can watch or listen to this intimate chat - the choice is yours!
Activities of the Day
Dancing Rainbow Rings
You will need:
- Rings (3 inch wooden rings in image above, any will do)
- Ribbon in lots of different colours
- Scissors
Click on the button below for the instructions
Hand Print Rainbows
You will need:
- Acrylic paint in lots of different colours
- Card
- Brushes
Click on the button below for the instructions
Recommended Book of the Day
Phoenix Goes to School
Phoenix Goes to School is about the first day of school for a little girl who is transgender. This is an empowering and brightly-illustrated children’s book for children aged 3+ to help children engage with gender identity in a fun, uplifting way. It supports trans children who are worried about being bullied or misunderstood.
Click on button below to watch & listen to this beautiful story on YouTube.
Interaction of the Day
A Blog by Aaron Bradbury
A CHECKLIST TO REFLECT ON YOUR EARLY YEARS SETTING OUTCOMES FOR DIVERSITY AND LBGT FAMILIES.
Aaron's checklist is a basic but provides you with the opportunity to complete an audit in regard to seeing how far you and your setting has progressed/is progressing to make families, children, young people and your local community within your setting when it comes to LGBT.
Click on button below to read this useful and thought provoking article
P R I D E P A R T Y
We wanted you to end the LGBTQIA+ Early Years awareness week with a celebration. So we want you to get your best PRIDE pictures, flags and showcase all the fabulous activities you have done through the week. It is also an opportunity to have some fun, laughter and spread the message of LOVE and Pride.
Send us your pictures and videos - Share them by tagging in @LGBTQEarlyYears and using the hashtag on all Social Media platforms #LGBTQEarlyYears
HAVE A FABULOUS DAY AND THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING AND RAISING AWARENESS FOR LGBTQIA+ IN THE EARLY YEARS
Pride Party Recipes
Here are some ideas of some colourful rainbow party food you can make with the children; simply click on the image for the recipes, Don't forget to share the pictures of the children making the food with you and also any other creations you find for your Pride Party and of course we would love to see the decorations the children have made and the fun that they have.
Tag us on Twitter @LGBTQEarlyYears and use the Hashtag #LGBTQEarlyYears .. if your not on Twitter, then feel free to email them to us via Juls@EYMatters.co.uk or AaronEarlyYears@outlook.com
RAINBOW CUPCAKES
RAINBOW FRIED RICE
RAINBOW TRIFLE
RAINBOW FRUIT SALAD
RAINBOW PIZZA
RAINBOW COOKIES
Recommended Book of the Day
Love Makes A Family
Written by Sophie Beer, this book looks at many different families. Whether you have two mums, two dads, one parent or one of each there is one thing that makes a family, a family ... and that's LOVE!
Click on button below to watch & listen to this beautiful story on YouTube.
Interaction of the Day
Why we are PROUD
A film clip of some of the members of the LGBTQIA+ Early Years Working Group exploring why they are PROUD!
Click on button below to watch and listen this PROUD film clip