Understanding Cultural Diversity in the Early Years

Taking the discussion about cultural diversity beyond the usual topics of anti-racism and inclusion but without overlooking these issues, this book considers current debates around the alleged failure of multiculturalism, and encourages practitioners to utilise their own cultural backgrounds and experiences as a way of developing their teaching.

With an optimistic outlook, and focusing on the advantages for learning that cultural diversity can offer, the book discusses the concepts of culture, multi-culturalism and inter-cultural competence, and describes the principles that underpin good practice. It is packed full of case studies from a variety of early years settings, with ideas to try out and interactive exercises to aid reflection.

Issues covered in the book include:

addressing cultural diversity in staff meetings, and on short training courses

planning a critical audit of your setting

working with parents from a variety of cultural backgrounds

how to explain diversity to young children

the overwhelmingly white British setting

settings where white British children are in the minority

curriculum developments in different parts of the UK, post-deveolution.

Written for all early childhood students and early years practitioners, it is relevant to anyone interested in inclusion, society and global citizenship.