Glen Education Sundowner
Acknowledging and Honouring Culture and Identity in Kindergarten
By Sharifa Fernandez, Early Childhood Teacher Glen Sundowner Kindergarten
At Glen Sundowner Kindergarten, we recognise that every child has a unique story, culture, and identity. At the heart of our teaching philosophy is a strong commitment to cultural responsiveness. Through our philosophy and kindergarten goals, we focus on embedding meaningful ways to acknowledge, celebrate, and learn from the many diverse backgrounds within our learning community.
We value each child’s cultural identity by taking the time to get to know them and their families. Families are our most important partners in cultural learning.
We enjoy hearing about special celebrations within their families and communities. Through the “Getting to Know You” form, we gain insight into each child’s background - languages spoken at home, family traditions, and core values. This connection allows us to create meaningful and inclusive learning experiences tailored to each child and helps us build a safe, welcoming environment where children feel a strong sense of belonging.
Inclusive Contributions and Shared Experiences
We encourage families and staff to contribute in various ways, such as:
- Sharing recipes
- Bringing in traditional clothing or cultural items
These items are explored together during group times. This supports children in:
- Seeing their identities reflected in our kindergarten space
- Helping others learn about the wonderful diversity within our service
Celebrating Cultural Events
A key feature of our culturally responsive practice is the celebration of events like Harmony Day and Children’s Week.
These occasions allow us to honour the rich cultural diversity in our kindergarten community. We:
- Engage children in conversations about kindness, respect, and inclusion
- Read picture books that celebrate different languages, family traditions, and ways of life
- Encourage children to share their own stories and learn from one another
These experiences support children in becoming eager learners, developing empathy and understanding as they listen, observe, and engage with their peers' diverse cultures.
Embedding First Nations Perspectives
We are also committed to respectfully embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into our everyday practice.
This includes:
- Regular Acknowledgements of Country during group times
- Exploring stories, art, and experiences that reflect the cultures and histories of Australia’s First Nations peoples
Reflective and Ongoing Educator Growth
As educators, we continue to grow by:
- Reflecting on our own cultural understandings
- Participating in professional learning
This helps us:
- Make thoughtful curriculum choices
- Foster inclusive and culturally safe environments
- Remain aware of our own cultural biases, ensuring they do not impact our ability to support all children
Celebrating Home Languages
We also celebrate the use of home languages alongside English.
- Simple greetings and common phrases in different languages are displayed and used in daily routines
- We learn and use words for beloved family members, such as: Baca, Yahyah, Nana, and Ma
This promotes:
- A strong sense of belonging
- Language development in both English and children’s first languages
Our program includes:
- Books, games, posters, puzzles, and other materials reflecting a wide range of cultures and identities
- Cultural perspectives woven into our daily discussions and inquiries
By nurturing a culturally responsive environment, we aim to:
- Empower children to value their own identities
- Help children develop empathy and respect for others
As we move into the second half of the year, we remain committed to supporting every child to feel proud of who they are and where they come from.
Together with our families and community, we will continue to celebrate and learn from the many cultures that enrich our kindergarten.