Your Guideline for Cultural Diversity Applied in Schools
Cultural Diversity
The Learning Child Team is committed to providing research-based and culturally responsive information that reflects the rich diversity of the communities they serve.
They believe in the importance of promoting quality early learning environments for children that are culturally and developmentally appropriate. Research suggests adults who engage children in culturally responsive educational experiences help to:
- Build young children's self-confidence and skills
- Increase children's awareness, appreciation, and inclusion of diverse beliefs and cultures
- Maximize children's academic achievement and educational success
Cultural Diversity and Responsiveness in Early Childhood Education
Effective early childhood education (ECE) professionals understand and embrace diversity—cultural, linguistic, and ability diversity (CLAD). They support the unique and individualized values, strengths, and potential of each child and family. This Better Kid Care module explores how to gather insights and effective strategies grounded in research to support culturally responsive teaching practices as well as fair and equitable opportunities that lead to positive outcomes for all children.
Cultural Diversity & Families
You are your child's first and most important teacher. From the very beginning of their life, they are learning about their culture and the world around them from you and the other family caregivers the child. Below is a resource for families on how to support young children's social and cultural development!
Culture Matters: Supporting Children's Social and Cultural Development-Families
Cultural Diversity & Education
From the earliest beginnings of a child's life, they are experiencing and learning about their culture and the world around them!
The following are three developmental characteristics of why starting in early childhood to provide culturally responsive and anti-bias education experiences for young children is critical to creating a more just and inclusive society for all:
- Children as young as 2 1/2 to 3 years old become aware of and begin to take in socially prevailing ideas, feelings, and stereotypes about people and about themselves.
- A child's interactions with parents, other children, the community, the media, and caregivers can inevitably shape their perception and judgment of others.
- Young children have the intellectual capacity for undoing any pre-existing unfair perceptions of others as they engage in meaningful, culturally responsive experiences with the primary caregivers in their lives.
Start with Us! Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in the Preschool Classroom
Cultural Diversity & Early Childhood Professionals
Culturally Responsive Education draws upon the cultural knowledge, skills, and talents children bring with them from their home and community. Below are resources for early childhood professionals on ways to create a culturally responsive environment for the children and families you serve.