National Families Week: How you can Honour Diversity in your Early Learning Centre
Diversity comes in many forms and should be celebrated and embraced at every opportunity. This year, National Families Week (13-19 May) is doing just that, with the theme Celebrating Family Diversity and Connections. In early learning centres, where children are introduced to the world around them, it’s crucial to promote an environment that reflects and respects the diverse families that make up our communities. Families Week is the perfect opportunity to encourage children to celebrate different cultures, traditions, and family structures.
Activity One: Family Tree project
One of the first steps in celebrating diverse families in early learning centres is by acknowledging and honouring the various family structures that exist. Through activities such as family tree projects, children can learn about different family dynamics and recognize that families come in all shapes and sizes. Encouraging children to share stories about their families and discuss what makes their family unique can foster a sense of inclusivity and acceptance.
Activity Two: Cultural experiences
Another important aspect of celebrating diversity in early learning centres is recognising and appreciating different cultures and traditions. Activities such as cultural dress-up days, where children can wear traditional clothing from various cultures, cooking classes that feature dishes from different countries or using play food from different cultures during role play, can help children develop an understanding and appreciation for diversity. It is essential to expose children to a variety of cultures and traditions to promote acceptance and empathy towards others.
Some of our diverse play food options include:
Activity Three: Books and storytelling
Incorporating books and storytelling that feature diverse characters and families is another effective way to celebrate diversity in early learning centres. By reading books that highlight different cultures, languages, and family backgrounds, children can learn about the world around them and develop a sense of curiosity and openness towards others. Books that incorporate these things include:
Activity Four: Art projects
Art projects that explore diversity and inclusivity can also play a crucial role in celebrating diverse families in early learning centres. By creating artwork that represents different cultures, traditions, and family structures, children can express themselves creatively while learning about the world around them. Some resources to kickstart these activities can be found here. Collaborative art projects that involve children from diverse backgrounds working together can promote teamwork, communication, and mutual respect.
Celebrating diverse families in early learning centres is not just about acknowledging differences; it is about embracing and celebrating the rich variety of backgrounds, traditions and experiences that make each family unique which is what National Families Week is all about. For more inspiration and information, check out the National Families Week website.
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