In response to recent research evidence highlighting schools as key sites of homophobic bullying and violence, Learn to Include has worked with local children to develop and refine two new books for schools interested in helping children learn about diverse families, in particular families with two mums or two dads (Source: ‘You shouldn’t have to hide to be safe’ A Report on Homophobic Hostilities and Violence Against Gay Men and Lesbians in NSW, NSW Attorney General’s Department 2002).

The two new books, The Rainbow Cubby House and Koalas on Parade, depict same-sex parented families in everyday situations – the focus is on the children and activities, not on the nature of the parent’s relationship.

The Rainbow Cubby House (PDF 1.28MB)
Koalas on Parade (PDF 1.2MB)

In addition to the books, a teacher’s manual has been developed with assistance from the Department of Education and Training.

The resources will be launched at an event hosted by the NSW Teachers Federation on 11 February 2005, more>>

Working with Sydney children to research the books, LTI found some children as young as five-years have already developed negative and unhelpful attitudes and stereotypes about gender and sexuality. Whilst they could not explain why they felt this way, some children used terms such as ‘horrible’ and ‘poofy’ (Source: ‘Families are the People that you love’ (2005), preliminary research findings from two Sydney schools on children’s understanding of diverse families).

Evidence suggests that balanced exposure to images of diversity in the very early years of schooling, combined with sensitive and supportive teaching, may be one of the best ways to combat discrimination and homophobia, whilst being a tremendous affirmation for children with same-sex parents (Source: research conducted by Wayne Martino and Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli).

Additionally, teaching children about accepting and understanding their classmates’ differences, such as gender or race or diverse family backgrounds, sets the foundations to make them better and fairer citizens, and ultimately works toward preventing discriminatory bullying in the playground.

The new Rainbow Cubby House and Koalas on Parade books target 6 to 8 year olds and are the third and fourth books in the series developed by Learn to Include, a not-for-profit project established in 2002.

For more details:

Learn to Include - www.hotkey.net.au/~learn_to_include

NSW Teachers Federation - launch host