[2025 Weekly newsletter 18] The value of knowing ‘it’s OK to be me!’
This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about roots — the people and values that quietly support us as we grow.
Perhaps it’s because our family has just celebrated a beautiful milestone: my son’s wedding. It’s been a week filled with joy, reflection, and love — the kind of week that reminds you just how important it is to feel seen, supported, and truly yourself.
In the spirit of celebration and gratitude, I wanted to share a story from behind the scenes of Diversitybuds — one that connects family, creativity, and the heart of our work with children. It’s also a perfect moment to introduce this week’s featured song, The Colours of Me, which encourages children to celebrate who they are and see the value in others, just as they are.
This week has been a very special one for our family — my son was married on Thursday, and the celebrations are continuing all weekend – even as I take time out to write this email to you!
As you can imagine, it’s been a week full of family togetherness, love, reflection, and celebration.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how much influence he’s had in guiding this Diversitybuds journey.
From designing our very first website to quietly offering ideas and fresh perspectives over the years, he’s been with us every step of the way. His thoughtful support — and his deep belief in what Diversitybuds stands for — has been a steady and creative influence behind the scenes.
He’s always been a creative, independent thinker — someone who didn’t always fit easily into the traditional school mould, but who has grown into someone deeply rooted in values like empathy, inclusivity, and kindness.
And in many ways, he has been a living reminder of one of our central messages: It’s OK to be me.
As you can imagine, it’s been a week full of family togetherness, love, reflection, and celebration.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how much influence he’s had in guiding this Diversitybuds journey.
From designing our very first website to quietly offering ideas and fresh perspectives over the years, he’s been with us every step of the way. His thoughtful support — and his deep belief in what Diversitybuds stands for — has been a steady and creative influence behind the scenes.
He’s always been a creative, independent thinker — someone who didn’t always fit easily into the traditional school mould, but who has grown into someone deeply rooted in values like empathy, inclusivity, and kindness.
And in many ways, he has been a living reminder of one of our central messages: It’s OK to be me.
…Being different doesn’t mean being wrong…there’s more than one way to be in the world
This week’s featured song, called ‘Colours of Me’ helps children understand that very idea: that being different doesn’t mean being wrong, and that there’s more than one way to be in the world.
The song gently encourages children to celebrate their uniqueness and see the value in one another.
Here are a few lines from the song:
Everyone is special
No one is the same
We are all slightly different, with our very own name
But when it comes to what I’m like
You’ll find with certainty
There’s only one way to tell you:
That’s to sing the colours of me…
It’s a joy to use with young children — the song naturally creates a sense of belonging in the room. I’ve seen it open up lovely moments: a child quietly smiling when they hear their own eye-colour named, or two children who rarely play together sharing a laugh or two as they sing and discover they have something in common.
To support your use of this song, we’ve created a full set of resources that you can purchase and explore with your learners:
The song gently encourages children to celebrate their uniqueness and see the value in one another.
Here are a few lines from the song:
Everyone is special
No one is the same
We are all slightly different, with our very own name
But when it comes to what I’m like
You’ll find with certainty
There’s only one way to tell you:
That’s to sing the colours of me…
It’s a joy to use with young children — the song naturally creates a sense of belonging in the room. I’ve seen it open up lovely moments: a child quietly smiling when they hear their own eye-colour named, or two children who rarely play together sharing a laugh or two as they sing and discover they have something in common.
To support your use of this song, we’ve created a full set of resources that you can purchase and explore with your learners:
- Lyrics Video — showing how the words fit the rhythm of the song
- Sheet Music Guide — a friendly ‘map’ of the musical structure
- Quiz — to help deepen musical understanding
- Story Slides with Audio — visuals and lyrics with sung vocals
- Story Slides (Backing Only) — visuals with the singer removed
- Learning Objectives Overview (PDF)
- Song Cards — visual prompts for children to recognise the song
- Activities for Children — colouring, games, and more
- Child Enrichment Tasks — ideas to foster independence
- Downloads — MP3s and MP4s to support your journey
I’m deeply grateful to you for being part of this community.
Our work with young children matters so much — together, we’re helping to shape a generation that celebrates difference, recognises itself in others, and sings out: it’s OK to be me.
And to my wonderful son and daughter-in-law: from all of us in the Diversitybuds family — we wish you a joyful, creative, and love-filled life together.
Our work with young children matters so much — together, we’re helping to shape a generation that celebrates difference, recognises itself in others, and sings out: it’s OK to be me.
And to my wonderful son and daughter-in-law: from all of us in the Diversitybuds family — we wish you a joyful, creative, and love-filled life together.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this or any other of our blogposts. Have you noticed ways in which the human element has made all the difference in your work recently?
Feel free to contact me – I always love to hear from you. 😊
Dr Clare Seymour
Clare has spent much of her professional career (over 30 years) in international settings. Part of her Doctoral research involved exploring the often hidden aspects of institutional racism. As a result she has a longstanding interest in, and passion for, promoting positive Diversity.
In addition to school music-teaching, Clare also has over 10 years’ experience working as an international music examiner – an understanding and respect for Diversity is so crucially important in every aspect of her practice.