Research suggests that children develop an understanding of gender, ethnicity, and disability in their early stage of childhood. So, it makes sense for parents and educators to include multicultural education in their early childhood education programs rather than elementary education. This also helps children develop their identities and expand their cultural knowledge and understanding of diversity.
When it comes to exposing children to multicultural education at an early age, multicultural books play an important role. Let’s find out how these books help:
A deeper understanding of different cultures
Through multicultural children's books, children learn that a variety of people of different races and ethnicities exist around the globe. They also understand that people with different cultural backgrounds can still get along well and live in harmony, giving rise to a pluralistic culture. In other words, young children at their early stage of childhood do not separate themselves from diverse groups when exposed to multicultural education.
Children develop cognitive ability
Research shows that the narration of multiculturalism through picture books and the authenticity of content and illustrations have a significant influence on children’s comprehension and cognitions. More specifically, the high authenticity of multicultural children books not only piques interest for these books among children but also empowers them to express their own feelings through their language.
Children learn to foster meaningful relationships with diverse groups of people
Through multicultural education, children learn new ways to interact not only with their teachers and parents but also with those who do not look or live like they do. They also learn ways to solve conflicts among different groups of people. This effect of multicultural children books increase when the teachers or parents use appropriate forms of scaffolding to include such books in their child’s multicultural education programs.
Final thought
Children are naturally curious and observant, noticing their parents, their surroundings, and everything around them. So, it’s vital to expose them to multicultural concepts through multicultural books at an early age to set the right foundation for their future and understanding of diverse groups.
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