...at MPS

WELLBEING SPOTLIGHT: CULTURAL DIVERSITY 

Recently, we have celebrated Harmony Week, which is a special annual event in our school. We recognise this event, among so many others, as part of our Murrumbeena Primary School Cultural Calendar. 

Early childhood is the time when children first become aware of differences among people and start to form opinions and attitudes about these differences. Supporting our students in understanding diverse cultures and perspectives encourages them to feel good about who they are and appreciate diversity in others. 

It’s important to us that we build a strong and inclusive community where everyone feels valued and that they belong. This supports positive mental health and enables children to feel confident and empowered in themselves.

As a school, we promote cultural diversity by:

• encouraging children to recognise and appreciate people for the things that make them unique and special
• providing opportunities for children to listen to people from a range of backgrounds and their perspectives
• researching biographical stories of local people and people from around the world and introduce these stories to children
• promoting and modelling inclusive behaviour – such as having notices or information available in a number of relevant languages for families
• expanding children’s awareness of difference through social events, books, songs or play materials
• supporting all children to develop the skills necessary to form positive friendships regardless of differences in practices, languages and ethnic backgrounds

Thank you to Be You (by Beyond Blue) for providing some of these important facts about the benefits of diversity.

More information about Social Development here: https://beyou.edu.au/fact-sheets/relationships/cultural-diversity-and-mental-health

Caitlin Brennan

School Wellbeing Coordinator