From: Erica Pape <eapape>
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 20:39:11 -0500

Currently, I am student teaching in a kindergarten classroom. One of the issues that seems to come up a great deal is that of "the have's and the have not's" in terms of material possessions ect. It usually does not divide who tends to play with who, but it does often come up in conversations during center time and free choice time. I am beginning to see the formation of "clubs" among the students and I am worried that the clubs are based on something that all the members have in common such a particular toy (most often beanie babies which as small stuffed animals that many students collect). I am bringing this issue to you because I am looking for suggestions on how to deal with this. Because the children are still so young, it is difficult to explain socioeconomic differences among people to them because they do not understand the concept of money. I would appreciate any suggestions and/or good young childrens literature on the topic. Thanks! Please send ideas and suggestions to the e-mail address below.

Erica Pape (eapape at students.wisc.edu)
Received on Tue 08 Apr 1997 08:39:11 PM CDT