Books and Read Aloud

It is required in the HeadStart program to provide storytelling and books that highlight different cultures. Using books that show pictures of family structure and traditions are the best type of books that could be read aloud, as well as books that have many pictures that will help the students to visualize about the culture they are learning about.

Language and Communication

At my campus we have a Spanish class that our students attend. They are learning how to greet, colors, and animal names in Spanish class. Next week we will be going over numbers and simple phrases like "Mi Nombre es" (My name is) and then say their name. Incorporating this will help expand their language and feel more involved with their culture since majority are Spanish students.

Music and Movement

Music and Movement is a great way to incorporate multicultural songs. Songs, beats, rhymes, and dances are a great way to introduce different parts of the world into the classroom. Showing a video of different dancing and making beats with clapping or playing certain instruments is a way to keep students engaged and excited to learn about the culture.

Centers (Role Playing)

In Pre-kindergarten they are required to have center time, and this is where they are able to use their imagination while dressing up and using the pretend food in the kitchen. In the kitchen the teacher can stock up on traditional dress up clothes, food and cooking accessories that are essential when cooking certain traditional foods.

Family and Community Involvement

Having a family engagement with family and community is a great way to incorporate student's cultural background. Invite parents to engage with your class in an activity that involves using materials like a bulletin board to help showcase some ideas that are traditional to their cultures.

Diverse Role Models

Students and families can express through different people who they admire that relates to their culture. Using an example like an actor, singer, or athlete to share how they have similar traditions.

Language Inclusion

In a pre-kindergarten classroom, it is required and essential to have labels in the classroom so students can visually see and read the labels of everything that is in the classroom. Kindergarteners are curious and want to know what everything is, so by labeling they will see new letters that they are learning. I think having bilingual labels are also important to have since it will help them with learning how to say the bilingual words.

Culture Materials

In order to utilize student's cultural backgrounds in the classroom it is important to have the materials for the lessons. Having materials such as books, games, snacks and even visuals so kindergarten students could have a deeper understanding of the material of that culture.

Classroom Norms

An idea for building an inclusive kindergarten classroom that values cultural differences would be to set up the classroom with posters, books and a family wall. Displaying posters of different races and abilities shows children how different we are. A family wall is also encouraged, this will help students to see the similarities in others family photos or even the differences in them.

Inclusive Language Practices

Teachers can create a small group and practice multiple languages and use simple phrases like greetings or even phrases that students here at home with their families. Incorporating these phrases will make children feel more comfortable to speak them because they have heard it from home.

Celebration of Traditions

Teachers can create opportunities for children to share their traditions like songs, share how they celebrate holidays and even their favorite traditional foods. Involve the families and have them bring a small portion of the traditional food for the classroom to try.

Teachers should respect and appreciate the different cultural and religious backgrounds of their students. They need to understand their own identity, so they know how it shapes their perspective. Teachers should also recognize how culture affects interactions and considers both the history and context behind it. Lastly, Educators should use cultural knowledge in their teaching and create lessons that meet the needs of diverse students (Johnson, P. IDRA 2016).

Community Based Learning Projects

Teachers can plan a field trip that is in the neighborhood that involves culture and tradition. For example, the community will have a bakery or a garden. The bakery workers can talk about what they do and what baked goods are more traditional.

Culture Events

Teachers can have a heritage parade around the school or even the park where students and families can dress up and share photos or flags from their culture to represent them.

Seasonal celebrations

Another way for families to be involved in this educational process is to present small table set ups and share craft ideas that come from their backgrounds as well as clothes and food recipes.

Family Engagement

Invite guest family members who can do a read aloud and even incorporate bilingual language to read to the students in the classroom. The guest speaker can even talk about real life experiences for students to have a better understanding about the culture.