How to Foster Respect and Appreciation for Cultural Diversity in Students

Australia is rich in culture, with many citizens hailing from all over the world. In 2021, 27.6% of people in the country were born overseas. Because of this array of unique people and communities, cultural diversity and sensitivity have become an even bigger topic of interest than before. However, it isn’t as prominent yet in early education despite being particularly important for young children to learn. If you’re looking to bring more lessons in inclusivity and cultural awareness, there are many things you need to consider to ensure kids are getting the proper education. Here are some ways you can encourage respect and appreciation for diversity in your classroom.

Mind the Approach
There may be missteps in teaching about another culture because you might be framing it as foreign and scary rather than something exciting and interesting. An open, curious mind is something you’d want to emulate for your students. When learning about the ancient culture of the Torajans in Indonesia, you might lean on a more morbid interpretation of their relationship with the concept of death. People of that culture preserve the deceased and treat them as if they were living. It may seem frightening for kids, but you can shift your approach to help them consider that this is a fascinating way to understand death and living.

Be sensitive and courteous with your language; don’t be afraid to correct or guide children into a kinder, more appreciative mindset.

Introduce Diversity in Learning Materials
Despite the demand for more diversity and representation in media, many learning materials for young students are lacking in this department. Around 90% of characters in children’s books are white, and black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) groups represent the other 10% or fewer. Even textbook illustrations have a higher percentage of white people than BIPOC individuals.

Diversity in children’s and textbooks are necessary to introduce in your classroom, as children can benefit from relating to and identifying with characters, as well as learning about the experiences and cultures of others. Inclusive materials can help students develop their sense of empathy and identity.

Celebrate Differences
Children notice differences earlier than one might think. Writer Grace Jennings-Edquist notes that they develop an awareness of race as early as infancy, and can absorb their parents’ biases and attitudes on race when they’re toddlers. They must be taught that various cultures, ethnicities, and races are of equal worth and value to all societies and communities.

When teaching children about these differences, don’t push the idea that everyone is the same inside or that skin color doesn't matter. Kids should be able to acknowledge differences in culture and appreciate how people have many ways of living and approaching life. Without this education, kids risk growing up with harmful prejudices that can last until adulthood.

Utilise Immersive Experiences
Children may be able to learn about different cultures through reading, but having them experience the customs, traditions, and languages first-hand can instill this information even more. Through programs, classes, and other learning experiences, children can hear from all kinds of people or see the vibrancy of different cultures with their own eyes and bring more awareness to communities and groups they would not have known about until later on in life.

Indigenous Australians lack visibility in many sectors of society, but programs such as the Aboriginal Languages Syllabus can help children be aware of and appreciate the Indigenous cultures of their country. Through these initiatives, they can help keep these languages alive and thriving.

Image by Min An