Integrating Cultural Diversity in Early Learning and Care Programs
Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.
- Jawharlal Nehru
Available June 1, 2009
The Treasure Chest project is intended to promote understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity in ways that are consistent with best and promising practices for young children. The project provides learning resources to support child care programs and family child care providers to sensitively and appropriately integrate cultural content into their day-to-day activities. The resources help programs provide children with the ‘mirrors’ to see themselves and their families outside of their own home and the ‘doors’ to move confidently out into other cultures. They complement the Birch Bark Basket resources previously developed by ARCQE to support the inclusion of Aboriginal content in programs.
The Treasure Chest learning resources consist of six baskets of materials and this guide. Each resource basket contains items that can be incorporated throughout a playroom or day home to encourage children to become comfortable with, and interested in, the diversity that exists in our society. The resource guide contains guidelines and suggestions for introducing and integrating cultural content.
The resources in the Treasure Chests were chosen to supplement those to which programs and providers may already have access. These include the professional expertise of early childhood practitioners, their relationships with families, items they already have in their programs, and resources they are able to collect or borrow.
The Treasure Chest materials are designed for use with children up to 12 years of age, although not all activities and items will be applicable to all ages. Practitioners will be able to use their own understanding of child development and their knowledge of individual children to assess the appropriateness of specific activities. Generally speaking, younger children will find meaning in activities that reflect their familiar world—the things they know and recognize from their lives with their families and friends—while older children will be ready to explore the world beyond.
The Treasure Chests include books, games and other items that provide a multicultural perspective along with some objects that are specific to particular cultures. However, the most important guides and resources for integrating cultural content are the families in the program. It is the families who can help programs and providers find community resources, select appropriate cultural activities, and contribute items that have meaning for their particular children.
We hope that the Treasure Chest resources will be an effective support to programs and providers who wish to integrate culture in an authentic, affirming manner that is appropriate to the population of children and families that they serve.
How can I access the Treasure Chest Resources?
1. You will need an ARCQE Resource Access Pass (RAP) card – this card can be accessed by contacting the ARCQE office. It works as a library card for many of the resources available through the agency. This card also gives access to the Birch Bark Baskets.
2. Contact your local Child Care Coach determine where they are stored. See listing of Regional Coaches on the website to locate the coach nearest you.
3. Fill our request form.