Glen Education Serrell Street
Embracing Cultural Responsiveness
By Lyndal McVie – Early Childhood Teacher
At Glen Serrell Street Kindergarten, we have proudly embedded a culturally responsive learning program that embraces not only Indigenous perspectives but also the rich cultural backgrounds of all the families in our community. We are fortunate to have families from across five of the six continents - Asia, North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Oceania - each contributing to the vibrant, diverse learning environment we nurture every day.
The journey of cultural inclusion begins the moment children walk through our front door. In our foyer, where they place their bags upon arrival, children are greeted by welcome banners from countries around the world, with “hello” written in different languages. These banners represent the many cultures in our community and are continually expanding as we welcome new families and learn about additional languages and countries.
Language and Connection During Yarning Circle
Each morning, during yarning circle, we extend our Acknowledgement of Country with a special morning hello song, where we greet one another in various languages accompanied by movement and dance. Each group enjoys its own version of the song, but all versions celebrate language diversity.
Children are encouraged to share greetings from the languages they speak at home or are learning, creating a rich connection between home and kindergarten. These moments foster a strong sense of belonging and community while reinforcing literacy and numeracy skills, such as counting from 1 to 10 in multiple languages.
Literacy That Reflects the World
Our classrooms are intentionally rich in culturally inclusive literacy experiences. Books representing a variety of cultures are displayed not only in our book corners but also across the classroom - placed on shelves and in learning areas for easy access and exploration.
While we continue to build our physical library with more books that reflect the everyday lives not just celebrations of our diverse families, we are also using technology to bridge the gap. Educators have been using our classroom TVs to access recorded books online, giving children ongoing access to a wide range of stories and perspectives.
These storytelling opportunities allow children to share their personal experiences and cultural knowledge with peers and educators, strengthening social connections and reinforcing the links between home and kindergarten.
Strengthening Cultural Diversity Through Family Involvement
Looking ahead, we are eager to deepen our commitment to cultural responsiveness by inviting families to share their own stories, traditions, and skills with us. Whether through cooking, music, storytelling, or language, we believe these shared experiences further enrich our curriculum and help children grow in understanding, empathy, and respect.
We are excited to continue this journey together, embracing the uniqueness of every child and building an inclusive learning environment where all cultures are recognised, celebrated, and valued.
