Our World Down Syndrome Day Classroom Kit program has reached more than 120,000 students in more than 3,500 classrooms across the Minnesota and neighboring communities in Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Dakotas.
This FREE resource for teachers brings awareness about Down syndrome, celebrates human diversity and promotes inclusion and understanding. The kits teach students about Down syndrome, but more importantly, they include lessons on diversity, inclusion, kindness and acceptance. Each kit contains two books donated in a student's name to permanently keep in the classroom, as well as a packet of grade specific activities, lessons, and additional materials about Ds - as well as stickers, bracelets, and other fun ways to help kids celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.
This year's kit emphasizes diversity and inclusion, as well as what it looks and feels like to experience belonging in a community. In the book "A Friend Like Anian" by Meeka Caldwell, we follow Anian--a young boy with Down syndrome--and his mother as they spend their day out and about in their community. Young learners will make personal connections to Anian as they get a glimpse of a day in his life and find that they participate within their own communities in similar ways. (This book will be provided for prek - 2nd grade only.) The book "Included: A Book for ALL Children About Inclusion, Diversity, Disability, Equality and Empathy" by Jayneen Sanders will give both younger and older learners a look into the lives of six children living with various disabilities, including Down syndrome. Differences are celebrated, and the message of inclusion and belonging resonates with us all.
The last day to order is March 2nd. Kits are FREE to teachers in Minnesota and communities within 25 miles of Minnesota's border. The kits are designed for students Pre-k through 5th grade. Parents can order the kit for their children's classrooms or teachers can order the kit directly.
Included
Included: A Book for ALL Children about Inclusion, Diversity, Disability, Equality and Empathy":
"Meet six wonderful kids. They love playing games, reading books, making stuff, and being silly. And like kids everywhere, they want to feel safe, loved, and included."
Author Jayneen Sanders is an experienced early years educator, author and publisher who is passionate about the empowerment of children. Her book, "Included', sets out to explore diversity and inclusion, and to ensure all kids understand that children with disabilities are just like kids everywhere - they have things they are good at and things they need to work on. And just like kids everywhere, they want to feel that they belong and that they matter.
This book provides readers with ways they can be more inclusive in their play and encourages the celebration of diversity in all its unique and wonderful forms. Children will come away with a growing understanding that people everywhere have differing abilities, and this only makes the world a more colorful, exciting, diverse and amazing place.
A Friend Like Anian
A Friend Like Anian:
As a mother of a Black child with Down syndrome, author Meeka Caldwell noticed that there were no children's books about Down syndrome featuring a Black child. She wrote "A Friend Like Anian", the first of a series, inspired by her son to show diversity and representation in the Down syndrome community."The sun is out and Anian and Mommy have things to do today! Full of energy and ready to go, they spend the day out in the community where everyone helps Anian as he goes from place to place. Anian was born extra special, he was born with Down Syndrome. He loves to learn new things and show everyone what he can do! Enjoy this story as you get to know a friend like Anian!"
This book sparks young readers to see the importance of positive community interactions while fostering a greater understanding of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This book will only be included in classrooms PreK - 2nd grade CLICK HERE to order your 2025 WDSD Classroom Kit!