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Understanding Cultural Diversity in the Early Years
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Understanding Cultural Diversity in the Early Years



March 2010 | 160 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Taking the discussion about cultural diversity beyond the usual topics of anti-racism and inclusion but without overlooking these issues, Understanding Cultural Diversity in the Early Years considers current debates around the alleged failure of multiculturalism, and encourages practitioners to utilize their own cultural backgrounds and experiences as a way of developing their teaching.

With an optimistic outlook, and focusing on the advantages for learning that cultural diversity can offer, the book discusses the concepts of culture, multi-culturalism and inter-cultural competence, and describes the principles that underpin good practice. It is packed full of case studies from a variety of early years settings, with ideas to try out and interactive exercises to aid reflection.

Issues covered in the book include:

  • addressing cultural diversity in staff meetings, and on short training courses
  • planning a critical audit of your setting
  • working with parents from a variety of cultural backgrounds
  • how to explain diversity to young children
  • the overwhelmingly white British setting
  • settings where white British children are in the minority
  • curriculum developments in different parts of the UK, post-devolution

Written for all early childhood students and early years practitioners, it is relevant to anyone interested in inclusion, society and global citizenship.


 
What Is Your Culture?
 
Multiculturalism and Its Alleged Failure
 
The Idea of Intercultural Competence
 
The Background to Daily Practice: Curriculum Guidance, Discussion with Interested Parties and Twinning with Settings Abroad
 
Daily Practice with the Children: Resources, Sources of Support, Festivals and Dealing with Prejudice
 
The Inclusion of Children from Minority Communities
 
The Overwhelmingly White British Setting
 
The Setting That Is Not Primarily White British
 
Conclusion
 
Appendix 1 - Resources and Further Reading
 
Appendix 2 - DEC(SY) and its Cultural Mentor Service

'This book is very useful; the activities are thought-provoking and developmental throughout, and the examples are very helpful. I think it is timely, and it fills a niche' - Janet Kay, Principal Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University


Great read and super to reference - a must have!

Mrs Emma Ruth Bleasdale
Education, New College Pontefract
June 26, 2023

Will be very helpful for my students undertaking EDI modules

Mrs Emma Harvey
Education, Suffolk New College
January 13, 2021

A very useful book for students studying on the Foundation Degree in Early Years. The book is well written and covers some of the relevant module assessment criteria.

Ms Eva Mikuska
Childhood, Social Work & Social Care, Chichester University
February 5, 2020

Diversity and inclusion
Excellent text - highly recommended for specific courses as well as broad overview for anyone working with children.

Miss Nicola Wilson
Earty Years, Exeter College
June 26, 2016

This case studies will be useful to use within seminar sessions with Early Years students as an aid to reflective on practice

Miss Lorna Wardle
School of Education, Nottingham Trent University
October 30, 2015

Useful tool for the Equality and Diversity module

Mrs Terrie A Blaszczyk
Education Department, Roehampton University
June 7, 2016

Useful for the equality and diversity module and very interesting perspectives discussed regarding culture and expectations

Mrs Terrie A Blaszczyk
Education Department, Roehampton University
June 19, 2016

An inspiring and interesting book, includes lots of exercises to support development and discussion. A great resource.

Ms Caroline Brooks
Learning and Teaching Institute, Sheffield Hallam University
May 20, 2016

This text provides the reader with a thought provoking journey throught the current issues in cultural diversity. The interactive exercises provide readers with an opportunity to explore their own concepts of culture,in order to become culturally competent in practice.

Mrs Lisa Jennison
Faculty of Health & Social Care, Hull University
March 17, 2016

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One


For instructors

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