©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Chapter 24 Creativity, Diversity, and the Early Childhood Program Teachers Children Curricula Perspectives

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Teaching in Culturally Diverse Classrooms Process and practice Teacher’s attitudes Basics of a multicultural curriculum

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. What Does Multicultural Education Include? Learning about one’s own and others’ cultures A welcoming environment for all children A variety of materials exposing children to new daily life experiences Acceptance of each child’s uniqueness Acceptance of similarities and differences

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Why Is Multicultural Education Important? Encouraging a sense of self Promoting children’s total development Preparing children for the future Discouraging denial and fear of differences

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Common Bonds Curricula Family Food Neighborhoods Play Language Playing Arts Self-esteem

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Multicultural Learning Centers Art Area Block Area Music Area Dramatic Play Manipulative Area Science Center Sensory Table Book/Quiet Area

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Aesthetics of a Multicultural Classroom Visual noise Visual displays match, reinforce, and expand learning Real-life representations Finding multicultural materials Using multicultural materials

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Multicultural/Bilingual Classrooms: Deficit and Transformational Perspectives Two approaches Deficit approach = distorted vision Transformational approach = working with strengths

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Deficit Approach In children from marginalized communities –Poor/working class –Non-English speaking –Different cultures –Differences perceived as deficits within –Children –Their families –Their cultures

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Transformational Approach Communities possess “funds of knowledge” Acknowledge skills shared by community members Families viewed as knowledgeable and skillful Respect for teaching and learning in children’s homes and communities

©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Implementing a Transformational Perspective Validate children’s home language Use familiar, culturally relevant literature Help children share personal stories Create activities around songs from home Use environmental print Include parents in curriculum planning Be sensitive to cultural shifts between school and home