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Cultural competence is an important part of education during the early childhood years in a multicultural society. Goodstart Early Learning Bayswater north Goodstart Early Learning center is a centre that highly values the development of cultural competence among the educators and children. It is consistent with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) that emphasizes the need to foster the respect of diversity and nurture the appreciation of different cultures as one of the primary elements of learning and development in children. Cultural competence is the knowledge, respect, and appreciation of the cultural background of every child and his or her family. At Goodstart, this is done with the help of diverse activities, materials, and experiences which are in accordance with the diverse cultures that are represented in the centre. A culture that recognizes and celebrates cultural diversity has been established by teachers through the regular inclusion of culturally relevant resources (books, toys, music, and art) into the day-to-day learning environment. Such materials will allow children to learn about other cultures, traditions, and customs, which will help them appreciate diversity.
An example of this is at Goodstart, we have festivals and traditions of different cultures throughout the year, including Diwali, Chinese New Year and NAIDOC Week. The celebrations provide children with the opportunity to learn about other cultural practices and learn the importance of such events in the global society. Children also get involved in storytelling, art and craft activities, traditional games and cultural performances during these celebrations. Such activities allow children to realize how diverse cultures are and also to enhance their social skills and empathy towards others. Goodstart also works on building cultural awareness by having discussion on cultural practices, beliefs and values. Talking to children about diversity, educators can make children realize that each person has his or her unique experiences and identity. These conversations contribute to Outcome 2: Community of the EYLF as children are taught to respect and appreciate the differences in other people and form relationships in a multicultural community. Through this kind of conversations, children learn the element of social justice and inclusivity, which is an essential part of their emotional and social development..
In addition, Goodstart provides the curriculum with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander views. Teachers make sure that children can study Indigenous Australia cultures and histories with the help of storytelling, artworks, and learning the land. Such experiences not only aid in shaping children to gain an understanding of the First Nations people but also in supporting the culture and traditions of the people. Outcome 1: Identity is addressed by the inclusion of Indigenous views in the curriculum because children gain a sense of who they are and learn to honor the pasts of others. Besides the celebration of the cultural diversity, Goodstart also partners with the families to understand better the cultural background of each child. Also, teachers encourage families to share their cultural heritage, language and stories and ensure that there is diversity of culture in the classroom, with all of the children represented. This collaboration with the families ensures that the cultural identities of the children cannot be disparaged and this contributes to their self-esteem and emotional well-being in a big way. In conclusion, the problem of cultural competence is a critical component of the philosophy of education in Goodstart Early Learning Bayswater north Goodstart Early Learning center . The Centre differentiates the cultural identity of every child by respecting and valuing their cultural identity through implementing the cultural views in daily work achievements, cultural diversity celebration, and working with the families. The strategy not only supports the EYLF outcomes but also helps the children to attain the skills and knowledge to live in a world that is varied and interconnected.
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