Acknowledge differences among students and celebrate the uniqueness of every one. Have children paint self portraits, mixing colors to match their skin tone. Children learn that everyone has a color, that no one is actually "white".

Establish a "You can't say you can't play" policy.

Promote inclusion and fairness, but allow discussions of all feelings, including bias learned at home and the street. Establish a "Peace Table" where children learn to "fight fair", perhaps with hand puppets in which conflict is acted out.

Promote diversity by letting children tell stories about their families, however different they may be. Diversity embraces not just race, but age, religion, marital status and personal ability. Remember that charting "family trees" can be a challenge to some children, such as those who are adopted or living with single parents.

Teach older children to look critically at stereotypes portrayed by the media. Ask them to close their eyes and imagine a lawyer, doctor, rap musician, gang member, bank president, hair stylist or criminal. What did they "see: and why? Confronted with their own stereotypes. Children begin to question how they've been shaped by the media.

Teach mediation skills to kids.