1.3 Explain the importance and benefits of valuing and promoting cultural diversity in work with children and young people.
Culture can have many different meanings and the way the word is used has changed over time. Culture can cut across nationalities and religions. It is what gives groups of people in our society their identity. Culture also refers to the way groups live, for example – travellers with, shared customs, thoughts, arts, language and social activity. Recognising and promoting cultural diversity of individuals and groups within the school will develop learning and encourage the knowledge and understanding of all pupils.
It is important that schools celebrate the bilingual or multilingual skills of pupils. Schools will have a policy in place which states how to ensure inclusive practice, including the additional support for pupils who need to improve their English if it is not their first language. We have a child in our class (Year 2) who is learning 2 languages that are spoken in Venezuela, where his parents are from. He is learning Spanish and Warao. We have noticed that he is finding it difficult sometimes to comprehend instructions. As teaching staff we are understanding and sympathetic to his needs as we are aware he is learning about his culture which is extremely important to his parents and his upbringing. We repeat any instructions given and check he has understood them.
Understanding and taking account of our pupil’s background and culture is essential for us to build effective relationships and provide support.
The diverse cultures in our society should be recognised and reflected throughout the curriculum. For example, incorporating music, foods, stories and drama from a range of cultures will help to contribute to a prosperous curriculum. This demonstrates that we (as a school) are not only valuing the culture of groups but also supporting all pupils to explore and understand cultures which are different from their own. During International Week in school last year each class picked a country to explore and learn about. The children had to learn about the culture, language, foods, traditions and the flag of their chosen country. The class teacher also did the register in the language of the country and the children answered ‘good morning’ in the language also. At the end of the week we held a school assembly for each class to do a presentation of their work on their country and the interesting and cultural things they had found out.
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