Running head: MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION 1

Multicultural Education

Julie Estep

Fresno Pacific University

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Multicultural Education

Multicultural education is the instruction that integrates diversity into the classroom. The

goal of multicultural education is to teach children at a young age to accept all forms of diversity.

It is an important issue facing todays society since the growing population is becoming more

diverse as each day goes by. It is critical that teachers know the importance of multicultural

education and the positive impact it will have on their students.

Early childhood teachers have a duty to incorporate multicultural education into their

lesson plans. In the article Early Childhood Teachers Approaches to Multicultural Education &

Perceived Barriers to Disseminating Anti-Bias Messages Brigitte Vittrup explains, it is

important for these teachers-and teachers of any racial background-to be educated on various

multicultural issues in order to better serve a diverse population of students, as well as for them

to be capable of guiding their children in proper interactions with children and adults who are

different racial or ethnic backgrounds (Vittrup, 2016, para. 3). A teachers role is important to a

childs development in understanding diversity and how to handle it. Most teachers do not feel

comfortable teaching children multicultural education. It could possibly be the fact that they are

uncomfortable teaching multiculturalism because they think it is the parents role or it not being

a part of the district approved curriculum. It all depends on if the teacher is comfortable or not.

One way I plan to implement multicultural education into a classroom curriculum is by choosing

reading material that touches on different cultures. I want my students to be comfortable and

excited to learn about different cultures. Including reading materials of different cultures in my

curriculum will open up my students ability to look past diversity issues and see people as

equals.
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Multicultural education is crucial to a childs development in America and shouldnt be

pushed aside. In the article, Raising Cultural Awareness of Fifth-Grade Students through

Multicultural Education it is stated that, the United States is becoming a more racially and

ethnically diverse society (Bene, Burley, Li, Sarraj, 2015, p.39). The country we live in is

becoming more diverse and our students should feel like they associate with each other. Students

should be taught tools to connect with and understand peers that they differ from. When this

concept is accomplished less hate and misunderstanding occurs. A way for children to identify

with diversity is through multicultural books. The students will express empathy towards the

main characters struggles in the stories. They will place themselves in the characters unique

situations. It is a simple way to incorporate diversity into a teachers lesson plan and it will

ultimately help the children understand and identify with someone different than himself or

herself.

Children are affected through the incorporation of multicultural education. Ultimately

teachers are one of the main influences on how children treat and perceive diversity. A teacher

must be comfortable with speaking about diversity of all kinds such as: race, gender, disability,

etc. If a teacher is uncomfortable with bringing up the subject of diversity they should seek

trainings on multicultural education to better prepare themselves to ensure their students

success. A teachers influence could set children up to see everyone as equals. Instead of students

judging their peers for their differences their differences can be celebrated. Students respond

positively to multicultural education. They finally understand others differences with the

teachers instruction, rather than judging the differences.

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References

Bene, K., Burley, H., Li, J., Sarraj, H. (2015). Raising cultural awareness of fifth-grade

students through multicultural education: an action research study. Multicultural

Education, v22 n2 p39-45. 7 pp. Retrieved from http://0-

eds.a.ebscohost.com.librarycatalog.fresno.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=912d df3e-

2722-4039-b1ba-0734064b466b%40sessionmgr4010&vid=1&hid=4108

Vittrup, B. (2016). Early childhood teachers approaches to multicultural education &

perceived barriers to disseminating anti-bias messages. Multicultural Education. 2016,

Vol. 23 Issue 3/4, p37-41. 5p. Retrieved from http://0-

eds.a.ebscohost.com.librarycatalog.fresno.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=3820 43ec-

3118-4bc3-bf0d-963f810f599c%40sessionmgr4006&vid=1&hid=4108