Establishing connections with your Culturally & Linguistically Diverse children & families17/7/2019 What would it feel like as an adult migrating to a new country and having to start a new job immediately?
Just imagine. You do not speak the language. You are not familiar with the new culture and practices. You are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected and anxious in this new country and work environment. If we would struggle as adults, just imagine how a newly arrived child or a child with little or no English and no experience in the education & care setting would feel. This is why inclusion is paramount and inclusive practices matter. It is important that we, as early childhood professionals and teachers establish strong cultural connections with our CALD children and families. Doing so allows us to better tailor our programs, our support and inclusive practices around the unique needs of all our children. There are many ways that we can ensure that our services are culturally inclusive and that we connect well with our CALD children & families, creating a sense of welcome and belonging for everyone. Below are some practical tips & strategies to add to your Cultural Inclusive Toolkit:
All these strategies ensure that the voices of all the children at your service are heard, particularly those whose first language is not English. They also help create a sense of ‘Belonging’ for your CALD children by providing and maintaining a safe, nurturing, familiar, predictable and culturally/linguistically relevant care environment, where they feel comfortable and safe in their experiences and identity. DIVERSITY KIDS can provide support in all key areas suggested above! As we highlight in our well known quotes: “Before a child is able to Be, to Belong & to Become, they need to be included.” "There is Belonging, Being & Becoming. But Inclusion comes first."
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AuthorMeni Tsambouniaris Archives
December 2024
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