Cultural Diversity in Preschools
1st June 2020.
Reading Time - 3 Minutes
The world is changing every day and we (especially our younger generation) must learn to accept and gel well with all the people from different cultures, races & religions to become productive and responsible citizens of the world.
Nowadays preschools all across the globe are promoting the idea of multiculturalism, creating equal educational opportunities for all children irrespective of their colour, cast, background or religion. The research shows that young children are highly impressionable therefore if they are taught this concept of multiculturalism in their formative years then that may have a long-lasting effect on their mindset and overall personality.
In a preschool, a culturally diverse classroom encourages a child to respect the other child’s thoughts & ideas. The statement that “Every child is equal” is the epitome of these classrooms which will make every child open and receptive to every idea in the classroom. A preschool is a foundation where a child forms his/her identity. To have conversations withevery child in a culturally inclusive classroom that promotes respect for diversity will make him/her confident and more sensitive to the other child’s background difference.
The wide array of perspectives brought to & experiences shared in a preschool by culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse children offer a powerful resource to learn more in many different ways in a classroom. Exploration of the various family backgrounds, traditions, values and heritage that each child has will bring familiarity with his/her background as well as know why other children are different. In a cultural inclusive preschool, classroom educators help children to accept and respect human differences.
In India, the growing diversity in a preschool classroom encourages educators to develop and design new teaching techniques to cater to each student individually. A culturally diverse curriculum will encourage children to assess their own identities & teach them to create, live and learn in an inclusive classroom environment.
Medhaam promotes these diverse cultural classrooms which are believed to give ample opportunities to learn not only to students but also to the educators, preschool staff and ultimately the parents from each other. Medhavis are encouraged to learn & play collaboratively with their classmates from various cultures that will prepare them for many situations they might be facing now and for the world which they will face in the future.
