Why is the topic of cultural and diversity important in early childhood education?

If you ask most adults what they would like to see for the world their response is usually peace.  There are books written about it, movies portraying it and songs sung about it. Peace.

What a beautiful thought.

Imagine a world where people of all nations, creeds and cultures live side by side in harmony.  The whole idea of that puts a smile on my face and love in my heart.

The trouble is how do we achieve that?

In today’s world we see constant dissention between nations and cultures, frequently with each misunderstanding the motivations of the other, resulting in arguments, retaliation and wars.

I’m not a world leader, but I am a Mom and a teacher.

It has been said, “A little child will lead them.”

That statement makes a lot of sense to me.

Why?

Children are born into this world with a totally open mind. They look at their new environment with awe and wonder. Preschool children look to their parents and teachers for guidance as to how they should view the world they find themselves living in and the other people they share it with.

I feel it is our responsibility to share cultural diversity with them.  From the very beginning of their lives it is important for young children to realize there are people of different cultures and colors throughout the globe, making our world more beautiful.

One of my daughter’s favorite picture books from her early childhood years was called “People around the World.”  She was fascinated by different appearances, clothing, language, traditions and lifestyles.  The more she saw the more she wanted to meet people from around the world. When visiting different places with us she was intrigued by new things, not frightened by them.  Her mind was open.

That is why I wrote “Fern the Stars and the Planets.” I wanted to bring cultural diversity to my children on an intergalactic level. I was not happy with movies depicting possible beings from faraway places as mean and terrifying.

Why not think of them as friendly?

Why not consider what it might be like where they live?

If we share books and music with children that demonstrate cultural diversity, then when these young children grow up to lead the world, they will lead it with more compassion and understanding of other people and their cultures.  They will not look at the world as “them and us”, but as “we.”

When you consider that, you can see that maybe there is the possibility of peace someday.  In order to achieve peace, you have to have compassion and understanding. To live side by side in peace, without war, you must have acceptance of cultural diversity. This doesn’t begin in adulthood, but in early childhood.

“A little child will lead them.” Indeed. Moms, Dads and teachers are examples for little children from day one.  In reality, we ARE world leaders.  WE are the ones who are guiding our children to either reach out with love and understanding or reach out with hatred and judgment.

Cultural and Diversity is one of the most important things we can teach our children today if we have any hope of peace for tomorrow.

This guest post was written by Fern Michonski/Fern’s Music/Pre-School Music Education Expert.

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