IMPLEMENTING A MULTICULTURAL PROGRAM
Your program should be committed to bring multicultural awareness to the children and parents served by your program. You should ask yourself two important questions.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A MULTICULTURAL PROGRAM?
A multicultural program looks at the lives and families of the children in care. It reflects the dignity and respect that each culture deserves. It recognizes the impact culture has on families, and differences along with the right of each family to choose their lifestyle. As a provider you must recognize, appreciate, and respect the uniqueness of each child.
HOW CAN I IMPLEMENT CULTURAL SENSITIVITY IN MY CURRICULUM?
Children need to learn very early that differences are normal. Around preschool age, children begin to pick up on differences.
For example: Why is another child’s skin a different color? Why does another child speak differently? Why is a child in a wheelchair? Why does a child wear glasses?
Answering these questions with honesty and simplicity is key. Giving them simple answers allows them time to process the information. Make sure your answers are age appropriate.
Here are some things you can do to teach the children to value our differences:
• Let each child know they are considered beautiful. Talk about what they contribute to your program. Take a picture of each child. Have them paste it on construction paper. Let them dictate to you how they are different and what they bring to the childcare.
For example: I wear glasses and I am tall. I am friendly and kind to my friends.
• Always foster self-esteem by accepting, promoting and acknowledging the child’s positive points.
For example: You have such a great smile!
• Have books, toys, and pictures of children from other cultures in your program.
• Explore similarities and differences.
For example: play a game- have all the children who like chocolate go to one side of the room, all the children who like vanilla go to the other side of the room. You can do this with cats/dogs, summer/winter, playing on swings/slide, tall/short, blond hair/dark hair, red/blue etc. Children will learn that in some things they are different but in others they may be the same.
• Learn about different countries.
For example: Mexico week, read a story about a child or animal from Mexico, introduce a food from Mexico, do an activity or craft from Mexico. Talk about how they children in Mexico are the same and how they are different due to climate, culture, etc.
• Teach the children about their own culture. With parents help you may have them bring in a food from their culture to share. Learn where it is on the map and how their lifestyles are the same and different from others. Show appreciation for their cultural background. Help them develop pride for their culture.
• If older school age children are showing concern about a negative current event that is impacting their culture, let them talk about it. Talk together with the other children. Discuss their feelings and concerns about what is happening. Always show respect for the child’s culture.
• Help the children to recognize unfair behavior and talk about what they can do about it.
Teaching children respect for other cultures will help the child build tolerance, respect, and understanding of people they encounter as they grow.