Imagine traveling 2 plane flights and over 8 hours to your first teaching job- with little people who spoke a different language and who were from a different cultural background to you. You might be forgiven for thinking that the scenario I am creating was set in Asia or Eastern Europe. But this adventure takes place […]
Category Archives: Culture
Early educators around the world feel burnt out and devalued. Here’s how we can help
South Australia’s royal commission into early childhood education led by Julia Gillard has released an interim report. The key recommendation is preschool for all three-year-olds (in a move similar to other states). But the report notes one of the critical considerations around this change will be the early education workforce. SA’s report comes as the Productivity Commission […]
Introducing culture and diversity in a monocultural classroom
This year for Harmony week, we thought we would share with you some insights from Meni Tsambouniaris at Diversity Kids. Here they share with us the importance of incorporating inclusion into everyday practice, these examples provide discussion points that educators can engage with during Harmony Week and follow up with how these concepts might be […]
Exploring reconciliation and cultural awareness in early childhood
Kings Creek Station, Northern Territory, Australia – Aug 21, 2019: close up of a Australian Aboriginal bush painting art. Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience tour in Australian outback Employees across Early Childhood Australia (ECA) have been involved in National Reconciliation Week projects connected to ECA’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Our group has developed a survey for early […]
Promoting cultural competence in early childhood
There is growing awareness and effort in Australian classrooms to understand, respect and support cultural differences, but are we starting early enough? If we want to create a society that values diversity, we must start instilling an appreciation for multiculturalism in young children as early as possible. Learning and development happens rapidly during early childhood, […]