Social Knowledge Assignment

Rhona Henry Tappin

ELCC, Medicine Hat College

ELCC 202 Math & Science

Pamella Macdougall

29 October 2020
 The Importance of Cultural Diversity for Children

Cultural Diversity is a vital component in children’s life. Even at the toddler stage of

development children begin to form their own opinions and attitudes about their peers.

Therefore, it is recommended that educators create a culturally responsive environment in order

for all children to feel supported, welcome, and represented in the centres. It is also important

for educators to take the time to learn about each child and their families and intentionally adapt

to their needs. All Children want to feel that sense of belonging. This belonging allows room for

children wanting to learn about their peers’ culture and gives them a better understanding that all

children have their own uniqueness to them. Once this responsive environment is practiced then

new families will feel welcome to the community and your centre.

Websites where educators can support cultural diversity

Below is a list of credible websites that educators can use as a guide in making families

and their children feel welcome in their centres.

This website is detailed and informative and speaks about the importance of cultural diversity

inside the classroom. https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/bs-in-elementary-

education/resource/why-cultural-diversity-and-awareness-in-the-classroom-is-important

This is another website that speaks to a plethora of benefits and valid information that

educators will find useful into their centres.

https://www.geteduca.com/blog/sharing-diverse-cultures-early-learning/

This website explains the importance of why educators must celebrate Cultural Diversity

with children in their centres. https://www.petitjourney.com.au/cultural-diversity-in-childcare/

Resource books that will provide support to educators on cultural diversity

 These books will assist educators on how to better support each child and the diversity of

cultures within their centres.

Resource Book for Teachers Cultural Awareness

Written by: Barry Tomlin and Susan Stempelski

https://www.amazon.ca/Resource-Books-Teachers-Cultural-Awareness/dp/0194371948

Cultural Diversity and Education Foundations, Curriculum, and Training

Written by: James A. Banks

https://www.amazon.ca/Cultural-Diversity-Education-Foundations-Curriculum/dp/0205461034
Title of book: Cultural Competence A Primer for Educators

Written by: Jerry V. Diller and Jean Moule

https://www.amazon.com/Cultural-Competence-Educators-Jerry-Diller/dp/0534584160

Children’s Literature for children to have a better understanding of Cultural

Diversity.

When educators read these kinds of literature with the children in their centres, the image

of the child feels welcome. It also allows the children to be their authentic self freely as pictures

in the book will demonstrate activities, food, skin color, and instruments that they are

accustomed to. Also, the children will be knowledgeable about the diversity of culture and better

understand the similarities and differences between their peers and their cultures.

Title of book: All Are Welcome Written by Alexandra Penfold and Susanne Kaufman
https://bilingualkidspot.com/2019/07/22/multicultural-childrens-books/

This book represents equality whether you are from near or far all are welcome. The book also

depicts festivals and a variety of flags hanging. The children enjoyed the tastes of different

breads and diversity was their strength.

Title of book: It’s Ok to Be Different

Written by: Sharon Purthill

Illustrated By: Sajata Saha

 https://www.amazon.com/Its-OK-Different-

Childrens-Diversity/dp/0973410450

When educators sit and read this book with children it gives them a gentle reminder that children

like themselves wherever they are or whoever there are little ones just like them. They may have

different cultures, live in different homes, but their love, their joy, their smiles and their hurts are

all the same.

Title of book: Whoever you are

Written by: Mem Fox

Illustrated by: Leslie Staub

https://theeverymom.com/diverse-childrens-books/

Having this book in a childcare centre demonstrates to children the different kinds of people that

exist. The book explains that some of these differences can be seen eg. eyes, skin, hair. The

book also teaches children to respect other people’s differences in the way they celebrate, their

family unit, and the food that they eat.

Title of book: What makes us unique? Our first table about Diversity.

Written by: Dr. Jillian Roberts and Illustrated by: Cindy Revell

https://www.overdrive.com/media/2937205/what-makes-us-unique

This book brings awareness to children, that other children all over the world share some of the

same body parts as they do. The children all eat and drink some of the same type of food. These

children live in houses as they just all look and are shaped differently. These children have their

own mommies, daddies and other family members and neighbours to give them love and care.
Title of book: All Kinds of Children

Written by: Norma Simon and Illustrated by: Diane Paterson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kyFyixSzn8

Music and Movements Cultural Activities for All Children

This music and movement song demonstrate diversity and multiculturalism. It teaches

the children that they can live in unity in the world they live in even though they all share

differences and similarities. Here are the lyrics to the song:

Title of song: It’s Our World

“Let’s work together, we are one, and we’re all the same under the sun. Our lives may not

quite be the same, but we’re the same let me explain.

Their schools may be different from yours, and their lands may be quite different too.

Their words may be different as well, but we’re the same can’t you tell. It’s our world,

we can live as one, smile and have fun under the golden sun. It’s our world, we can live

as one smile and have fun under the sun. Sometimes your voice needs to be heard to fly

like a bird. We need to give others a chance, so they can laugh so they can dance. Their
 homes may be different from yours, and their skin may be quite different too. Our lives

they may be not quite the same, but we’re the same, we're all the same”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDrq65JhJsc HYPERLINK

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This music and movement song teach the children how other cultures dance and move

their bodies to the rhythm of the song and how they can do the same as well. Children can have

lots of fun with this movement song. Some of the cultural songs were from Trinidad, Cuba,

Jamaican Reggae, Calypso, Samba among many others. Here is a line from the song:

Title of the Song: Move your dancing feet

“Feet, feet move your dancing feet, move them fast or slow to and from but move your

dancing feet”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY6a48yyjGE

For this music and movement song, the children expressed themselves with the moving

of their hands and rocking of their bodies. It also sensitizes them about other children all over
the world and they are the same as well as being different is normal whether you are a boy or

girl. Here are some lines of the song:

Title of the song: Multicultural World

“Come on everybody come gather around and join the celebration we’re sharing common

ground. We’re the generation we’re the ones who know that all the colours in the world

make everything beautiful. It doesn’t matter, where you come from if you’re a boy or

girl different, is normal in this multicultural world. Asia, North America, South

America…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9vXwWVw0qo

In this music and movements song, the educator was observed teaching the children

about an Indian culture festival called Navratri from a place in India. The children learnt that the

festival went for nine nights. The educator also educated the children about the different

language that is used in India and had them repeat the words. She also introduced instruments

that are used for dancing and she also has the children named the cultural clothing that they were

wearing. Children will enjoy learning about this new culture.

The Title of the song: Let’s Celebrate Navratri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU1SX5kYGIc

Visual Aids for the Classroom

Having visual aids inside the classroom and centres are important tools to invest in.

These visuals will make children feel welcome and appreciated, because they see similarities of

themselves on posters, in books, cultural items and even a picture of the flag from the country of
their birth. The visual aids also provide knowledge to the children about multiculturalism and

diversity and that they have their space inside a classroom setting as well. Most children will

remember what they see and will be able to make a connection. This will reduce

misunderstandings with their peers.

Images of Visual Aids

Having this Visual Aid hanging inside a center or a classroom is telling families, friends

and their children that all are welcome. The visual also depicts loudly that we have no barriers

here the color of your skin is not an option we have kind hearts and we include everyone. This

image was taken from the website below: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/805643978/diversity-

hands-poster-equality-peace?gpla=1 HYPERLINK

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 When families enter a classroom or a centre and observe this visual aid the nonverbal

language is saying we are an inclusive centre and that no child will be turned away. It is also

saying that we teach our children about the importance of diversity and that being different is

absolutely normal. This image was taken from the website below:

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/740560732451697453/?nic_v2=1ayr8wef2
 Seeing a representation of my country in the form of my flag in a centre is so

breathtaking. When families migrate from their countries they leave their cultural valuables that

mean a lot to them behind, it takes a lot of inner strength to do so. Therefore, it is important for

the centres and classrooms to provide and demonstrate these reminders in the form of visual aids

(posters) for families and their children. This is saying to families we care, and we understand,

and we are looking out for you. The image was taken from the website below:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5x3-Flags-24-World-Country-Flags-Bunting-World-Nations-

National-Flag-Carnival-/201996614165
 Allowing children to adorn themselves in their cultural clothing within centres opens an

avenue for them to build on their vocabulary with their peers and to share about the cultural

piece that they are wearing and what it means to them and their country. Children wear these

pieces with pride. It allows them to reflect on the activities that they use to partake in while

wearing those cultural clothing and they would want an opportunity to demonstrate that activity.

This image was taken from the website below:

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/239042692695238800/?nic_v2=1ayr8wef2
 Images of loose tools and parts supporting children

Inside the classroom

Cultural loose tools and parts play an integral role in the classrooms and centres for all

children especially in the life of immigrant children and their families. When children have free

access to these tools it encourages collaborative play as the children share and discuss with each

other what the tools represent and if they are used at a special time of the year. They bring back

memories of their festivals, cultural days in their country, Christmas time and even birthdays.

These tools are added to support making children and their families feel home away from home.

This image was found on the website below:

https://www.earlyyearsresources.co.uk/music-c193/world-instruments-

c217/multicultural-musical-instruments-p4082
Here is a list of the names for the multicultural tools above.

• A pair of Tibetan prayer bells

• Beaded maraca from Bali

• Frog sounders with sticks from Vietnam

• 25cm Chilean cactus rain sticks

• Kenyan Monkey drum

• Gecko animal clack

• Danaru (traditional Indian drum)

• Caxixi from Ghana

• 20cm djembe from Bali

https://www.pwap.com/play/rhythm/multicultural-music-set
 References

Banks, J. A. (n.d.). Cultural Diversity and Education: Foundations, Curriculum, and

Teaching (5th Edition) (5th ed.). Pearson Canada. doi:https://www.amazon.ca/Cultural-

Diversity-Education-Foundations-Curriculum/dp/0205461034
 Diller, J., & Moule, J. (2014). Cultural Competence: A Primer for Educators (1st ed.).

Wadsworth Publishing. doi:https://www.amazon.com/Cultural-Competence-Educators-Jerry-

Diller/dp/0534584160

Early Years Resources. (n.d.). Multicultural Musical Instruments. Retrieved October 25,

2020, from https://www.earlyyearsresources.co.uk/music-c193/world-instruments-

c217/multicultural-musical-instruments-p4082

Fox, M., & Staub, L. (2017). Whoever you are. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

doi:https://theeverymom.com/diverse-childrens-books/

It's Our World. (n.d.). Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDrq65JhJsc HYPERLINK

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDrq65JhJsc&list=PLTYEUVbsvldLA2BwofNmdi7A-

gmDDQjPk&index=2"& HYPERLINK

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDrq65JhJsc&list=PLTYEUVbsvldLA2BwofNmdi7A-

gmDDQjPk&index=2"list=PLTYEUVbsvldLA2BwofNmdi7A-gmDDQjPk HYPERLINK

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDrq65JhJsc&list=PLTYEUVbsvldLA2BwofNmdi7A-

gmDDQjPk&index=2"& HYPERLINK

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDrq65JhJsc&list=PLTYEUVbsvldLA2BwofNmdi7A-

gmDDQjPk&index=2"index=2.

Lakeshore Learning. (n.d.). Lakeshore Multicultural Clothing Set at Lakeshore Learning:

Lakeshore learning, Dramatic play preschool, Outfit sets. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/239042692695238800/?nic_v2=1ayr8wef2
 LaLaSessions. (n.d.). Diversity Hands Poster Equality Peace Kindness Humankind.

Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/805643978/diversity-hands-

poster-equality-peace?gpla=1

Legs.galore2009. (n.d.). 5x3 Flags 24 World Country Flags + Bunting World Nations

National Flag Carnival. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5x3-

Flags-24-World-Country-Flags-Bunting-World-Nations-National-Flag-Carnival-/201996614165

Let’s Celebrate Navratri. (2018). Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU1SX5kYGIc.

Move your dancing feet. (2008). Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY6a48yyjGE.

Multicultural World. (2016). Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9vXwWVw0qo.

Multicultural World. (2016). Retrieved October 24, 2020, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9vXwWVw0qo

Penfold, A., & Kaufman, S. (2020). All are welcome. New York, NY: Scholastic.

doi:https://bilingualkidspot.com/2019/07/22/multicultural-childrens-books/

Petit Early Learning Journey. (2019, December 03). Celebrating Cultural Diversity in

Childcare: Petit ELJ. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from

https://www.petitjourney.com.au/cultural-diversity-in-childcare/

Play with a Purpose. (n.d.). Multicultural Music Set - Play with a Purpose. Retrieved

October 25, 2020, from https://www.pwap.com/play/rhythm/multicultural-music-set

Purtill, S. (2020). It's OK to be different. ON: Dunhill Clare Publishing.

doi:https://www.amazon.com/Its-OK-Different-Childrens-Diversity/dp/0973410450
 Roberts, J. (2016). What Makes Us Unique? Our First Talk About Diversity. Orca Book.

doi:https://www.overdrive.com/media/2937205/what-makes-us-unique

Shana, D. (2016, July 08). Sharing Diverse Cultures in Early Learning Settings.

Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://www.geteduca.com/blog/sharing-diverse-cultures-

early-learning/

Simon, N., & Paterson, D. (2014). All kinds of children. New York, NY: AV² By Weigl.

doi:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kyFyixSzn8

Teacherstarter.com. (n.d.). Teaching Resource: A decorative poster on cultural diversity

to display in the classroom.: Cultural diversity, Diversity poster, Diversity in the classroom.

Retrieved October 25, 2020, from

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/740560732451697453/?nic_v2=1ayr8wef2

Tomalin, B., & Stempleski, S. (2014). Cultural awareness. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.

doi:https://www.amazon.ca/Resource-Books-Teachers-Cultural-Awareness/dp/0194371948

Walden University. (2020, October 06). Why-cultural-diversity-and-awareness-in-the-

classroom-is-important. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-

bachelors-programs/bs-in-elementary-education/resource/why-cultural-diversity-and-awareness-

in-the-classroom-is-important