59 Effective Interactions (Adult-Child, Child-Adult, Child-Child) 1. Relationships (continued) 5. Respecting Diversity Level 1 Demonstrate respect for diversity of children’s culture, language, and religion in all interactions. EI 1.5.1 Level 2 Actively foster respect for diversity both in individual and group interactions. Provide activities that reflect a welcoming environment for all young children. EI 1.5.2 Level 3 Develop, plan and create an environment that serves as a model of respect for diversity for children and families. EI 1.5.3 Level 4 Analyze, evaluate, and implement policies and procedures to ensure the program has strategies for achieving respect for diversity. Provide professional development opportunities to teachers, caregivers, and staff to develop and improve skills for interacting with diverse children and families in ways that respect all people. EI 1.5.4 Level 5 Analyze, evaluate, articulate, and apply current theory, research, and policy on diversity in early childhood. EI 1.5.5 6. Accepting Individual Differences Level 1 Recognize and accept individual differences in behavior as they are influenced by: o Age and stage of development o Family background o Culture o Ability o Temperament o Individual strengths o Interests EI 1.6.1 Level 2 Demonstrate acceptance of and nurture children’s abilities to understand and accept differences among peers. Affirm each child’s cultural, linguist, developmental, and individual identity. EI 1.6.2 Level 3 Develop, plan, and implement program-wide strategies for promoting acceptance of differences among and between children to affirm each child’s cultural, linguist, developmental, and individual identity. Demonstrate strategies that can assist staff in the development of skills to nurture children’s abilities to accept differences among peers. EI 1.6.3 Level 4 Analyze, evaluate, and modify program-wide strategies for promoting acceptance of all children, families, and adults. EI 1.6.4 Level 5 Provide learning opportunities based on evidence-based best practices research for early childhood educators, families, and community members that informs and builds understanding and appreciation for individual differences. EI 1.6.5