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WHrPBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15,.1988, PAGE 9 Mlticultural educatiLon should start at early age By Debbie Luchuk With the province'à present heavy emphasis on race relations and multiculturalism, and with thée canging face of the ethnic diversity in Durhama Region, the Durham Board of Education. held a day of workshops for resource people and board employees yesterday. The Multicultural Race Relations Conference featured speakers from various race relations and related groupe, and a film presentation "Myseif and Yourself." Participants heard the key note speaker, Karen Mock, and participated in five diffrent worksbops deaing with work equity, cooperative learning, dealing with racial incidents, multiculturalism in the class- room, and student attitudes. Mock is currently teaching courses in childhood development By- Debbie Luchuk A young' Whitby woman received the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh gold award from Prince Edward June Il. Karen Seed, 20, received the at York University, is working under contract for the Muilticulturalism Directorate of. the Secretary of State, and* bas ber own consulting firm (par- tnersbip), providing consultation on multicultural issues for varieus groups such as school boards and the Boy Scouts. She spoke on education for a niulticultural society. The reason for incorporating multiculturalism into education is to provide a more comprebensive, condusive education for non-anglo saxon groups witbin the present framework, according to Mock. The present educational systemn isfuli of cultural biases, and is perpetuating only one culture tbrougb curriculum that presents a distorted view of the various cultures, she said. "Children learn from watcbing, taking in everytbing around award through work with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Whitby #226. The awards are given at the bronze, silver and gold level for excellence in four categories: KAREN SEED with the Gold Duke of EdÎnburgh awardpresented to her by Prince Edward. Fre. Prese photo Spi-ng 88' transpârort showcase The Durbamn Region's Manufacturer's Association will-, be presenting the Spring '88 Transportation Showcase at the. Metro-East Trade Centre, Thursday, June 16, at 5 p.m. At the showcase will be display of antique and state-of-the-art vehicles tracing the development of the industry over the last 50 years. Non-members are welcome to attend and view the fast-chang- ing world of transportation. Changes in society often create critical pfoblenis that have lasting effects on individuals and related communities. The schedule of event at the dinner showcase will allow for discussions and mingling with the "policy-makers" in the transport- ation and communication facets of the provincial and federal governments, as well as top executives from the transporta- tion industry. F L.eoen from the besti Educebon through Martial Arts. Parents eau: 686-2878 The keynote speaker for evening will be Gerry Germain, Minister of State T'ransport, tbem," Mock said, adding tbis is tbe reason for educating educators about the various cultures witbin Canada. Often educaters unwittingly give tbeir pupils stereotypes witbout knowing it by tbeir attitudes and responses, she said. Multicultural education accor- ding' te Mock is integration of various cultural * values and consideration of these values inte the basic curriculum. For example, making textbooks les stereotypical in their description of a particular group. "Aptitude tests are culturally biased," she said, and educaters must learn to administer these tests in "ways that are culturally sensitive." Mucb of the curriculum in primary grades surrounde varieus celebrations that are taken for granted in Canada. But "if you skilîs (ie instrumental music); physical fitness or sports; expedi- tion or exploration and service. As records of a specific spon- soring organization, or individual effort is proved, the participants in the program are presented with the appropriate award. Only the gold award is presented by a member of the royal family or the Governor General at an invita- tion only event. Seed joined the cadets in 1980, and worked te become top cadet. Through bier efforts, she received the gold award. Seed drove to Ottawa for the ceremony at Rideau Hall, where she joined 44 young people from across Canada aged 14-25 in receiving the award. Present were G.,overnor Gener- al Jean Sauve, dignitaries and Duke of Edinburgh employees. Seed said Edward was "very down to earth, and very receptive, probably because be had been in the prograra hiaiself. I think hie just wanted te b. like everyone else. "He asked bow we liked the programn, and whetber we would go tbrough it again, and wben hie talked to us (Seed and lber fiance) bie asked wby we didn't go to Toronto as it was dloser." (There had been a similar award session tbere previously). Presently worIng for the TÇown of Markham in tbe parks. and recreation department, Seed says she will stay in the cadet program sud belp others in the corpa.to achieve excellence in pur- suit of their Duke of Edinburgb awards. TOWNE&COUNTRY I. G. A. Pl aza, 370 Broo k St. S. Downtown Wh itby CýOMPARE BEFORE YOU RENEW AUTO *$1,000,000 PL+PD+AB *$250 DED. COLLISION *$50 DED. COMP.* *1986 PONTIAC 6000 $258.00 6 MONTHS 8:00 a.m. to6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday HOME $100,000 BUILDING $75,000 CONTENTS $1,000,000 LIABILITY* UNDER 16 YR. OLD HOME -tisRo nn 12 MONTHS 430-TOWN (8696) have neyer experienced Hllo- ween, you will net imderstand tbe Halloween curriculum."' Such education has te, be made relevant to, eacb. child's exp.- rience, Mock said. For exemple, children could b. asked wben tbey dress up like at Halloween; several cultures bave a costume festival of some sort, Mock said. The rigbt time to educate children "multiculturally" >accor- ding to Mock is in early childbood, wben tbe child forais a racial awareness; racial iden- tification or learns about cultural festivals and racial preference.1. 'By the age of two-and-a-balf, cbildren perceive tbat people look different," Mock said. Sbe bopes tbe province nIl look at implementing funding and more resources for multicultural educational programs te be, im- plemented by individuial boards. 'We bave te make sure there are strategies te implement wbat the policy says regarding curriculum, assessment and placement, staffing and staff de- velopaient." Multicultural education will net only involve the. educators, but requires parents andthe community at large te success- fully implement sucb a program, according te Mock. 'The best basis for mul- ticulturalisai is do unteotbiers as you would bave them do unto Ifou L cadi ' & Mens'crcZ ise ndSctiem ar. Ladies cruisewear & swimwear from ',A good selection of mens' will soon be ini! 30 Minute Tanning Sessions IIc>x2z-: j 12 for $39 22 f or$74 Mon. - Fni. 10-10 Studnts 4 pe sesion.Sat. 10-6 Day Care for .,~965 DundaS St. W. (West Lynde Plaza) Whitby 668-7050 Local woman, wins prestigiousDuke, of Edinburgh gold medal àaward L'Deal With.People Who Gare' 1