How to Promote Diversity in Early Childhood Education ?

The earliest memories and experiences of a person’s life shape their future perspectives as well as development. By teaching children engaging lessons and values in the early years of their lives, they are more likely to grow up into empathetic individuals with a firm learning motivation.

Promoting diversity in early childhood education is at the heart of how we help children learn the value of inclusivity and appreciate the differences between individuals, here at UNIS Hanoi. These are the crucial traits that will guide them into becoming successful and empathetic citizens in life.

Table Of Contents

What is Diversity in Early Childhood Education?
Anti Bias, Anti Racist Education at UNIS Hanoi
How to Promote Diversity in Early Childhood Education
FAQs About Promoting Diversity in Early Childhood Education
Conclusion

What is Diversity in Early Childhood Education?

Diversity in early childhood education often goes hand-in-hand with equity and inclusion, forming a trio of values that are becoming increasingly relevant in the modern world. In short, these values are part of a framework that promotes fair treatment and full participation of all people, irrespective of any differences.

In the context of education, the definition of diversity in early childhood education simply means teaching children that people come from all walks of life. They might have differences in cultures, genders, beliefs, etc., but these are to be respected and appreciated, not discriminated against.

What is Diversity in Early Childhood Education?

By teaching children cultural and linguistic diversity in early childhood education, children will become more academically successful. Still, they will also learn to be more understanding and empathetic adults later in life.

Anti Bias, Anti Racist Education at UNIS Hanoi

At UNIS Hanoi Anti Bias, Anti Racist (ABAR) teaching methods are used from Early Years 3. In an increasingly diverse world where cultures and identities intertwine, letting children experience cultural diversity in early childhood education is the key to success as they grow up.

Children are natural learners, and with the right guidance from dedicated teachers, they are much more likely to learn the cultural and linguistic differences with ease, helping them to adapt more easily than adolescent students.

How to Promote Diversity in Early Childhood Education

How to apply diversity in early childhood education is certainly a major challenge for educators, especially since the concept remains alien to the vast majority of schoolteachers. Furthermore, even parents might not be aware of this concept, so it is a good idea to start with the adults first.

Establish Strong Links between Parents and Educators

Both educators and parents have to work together to effectively promote diversity in early childhood education. This means that parents and educators will first have to familiarise themselves with the concept and exchange what they have learned to better understand the subject matter.

During this process, educators and parents can also form strong professional links to support one another. Only when the adults are aligned with the same goal can the children appreciate diversity in cultures as well as in linguistics.

Establish a Welcoming and Inclusive Environment

The next step should be to establish a welcoming environment where every child feels included and safe. Educators should start by being supportive and respectful of all children, regardless of their culture or language.

It would also be a good idea to plan lessons that include and promote participation from all children. For example, group activities and play-based learning lessons encourage children to participate and socialise with others, creating a vibrant and inclusive environment where every child is welcome.

Support DEI in Early Childhood Education with STEM Activities

STEM activities are a great way to promote culture and diversity in early childhood education. Typically, STEM activities include hands-on lessons that stimulate children’s imagination as well as creativity while encouraging teamwork, all of which help promote diversity in the classroom.

Examples of STEM activities include making ice cream in a bag or building a paper roller coaster.

UNIS Hanoi incorporates a wide range of STEM activities into our curricula to promote DEI in early childhood education. Children can participate in activities such as playing puzzles or using experiment sets to explore the fun world of science with their peers, making the lessons more engaging.

Support DEI in Early Childhood Education with EAL

Children possess an amazing capability for learning languages, and by teaching them English in their early years, educators will empower the children to learn more about different cultures and languages. As English is widely spoken around the world, this will open up many opportunities for children to explore even more cultures and languages.

UNIS Hanoi offers EAL assessments in the early stages of a child’s education, when their language-learning capability peaks. We aim to teach children not just the language but also the cultural aspects of English-speaking countries, providing cultural contexts that help children appreciate different cultures even more.

Build a Positive Relationship with Children

Children need capable educators to provide guidance and assistance in learning and life, and that is why teachers should always prioritise fostering a positive relationship with the children they are assigned to.

Instead of harsh words and disciplinary measures, smart educators choose supportive language and encouraging expressions to foster a bond with the students. In turn, children will put more trust in these educators, and they will be motivated to learn more about diversity and the world around them.

Value Home Languages

Although learning English as an additional language is crucial for children to learn about diversity, the value of home languages should not be diminished in any way.

Home languages form a part of a child’s identity, as they are the languages the child first comes into contact with. Thus, educators should also take care not to ostracise children who speak their home languages in class.

FAQs About Promoting Diversity in Early Childhood Education

With a topic as difficult as diversity in early childhood education, there are bound to be some questions. This section will help you find the right answer.

What does a welcoming and inclusive environment look like?

A welcoming and inclusive environment encourages participation from all children. No child is left out, irrespective of their culture and language. If you wish to see what a welcoming and inclusive environment really looks like in practice, come and visit our campus!

What are ways to celebrate a family’s culture while also embracing others?

Cultural celebrations can be as simple as saying hello in one’s native language. The first step you could take is to invite other children to teach your child how to say basic greetings in their home language. Not only will your child learn more about another culture, but they will also gain new friends!

What are some activities I can do with my children to teach them about diversity and inclusion?

As a parent, you can start by telling stories about people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds so that children understand the concept of diversity first. You could then ask them what their thoughts on the subject matter are. Provide a safe space for children to voice their thoughts and opinions, and you can have a meaningful conversation with them more easily.

At UNIS Hanoi, children can choose from a wide variety of co-curricular activities that promote teamwork and diversity. These activities include sports, drama production, and much more!

Conclusion

Promoting diversity in early childhood education is a multi-stage process that requires plenty of effort from both parents and educators, but the result is well worth all the effort. Children who learn to appreciate diversity early in life will become more successful as adults, and they are much less likely to encounter major personality issues.

FAQs About Promoting Diversity in Early Childhood Education

At UNIS Hanoi, we are committed to promoting a safe and diverse environment for all of our students. We also work closely with parents to make sure that our effort is not cut off the moment a child goes home. Contact us now for more information!