PROMOTING CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN EARLY YEARS

“Diversity is the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work.”- Andres Tapia

Ved Gruh Public School, Panvel (Navi Mumbai) has set an example to become a culturally diverse and inclusive school. Looking at the festivals and activities it organises portrays its inclusive character in all aspects including cultural diversity. Ved Gruh follows what Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is a success.”

If we look in a classroom, it’s obvious that we often see kids from different family backgrounds, religions and cultural groups. They might be familiar with their traditions, cultural activities and customs from home. However, they will be unfamiliar with that of their classmates. We eliminate this unfamiliarity through various methods that provide awareness of different cultures and customs. That aims to instil in the kids’ minds acceptance and inclusion of diversity. For this purpose, Ved Gruh organises from time to time activities and fests. We organise “Fancy Dress” competitions and cultural events with the goal of cultural inclusion. These spark kids’ awareness and acceptance of our diverse cultures.

One must realise that there’s something to learn and imbibe from every culture. It’s also important that this awareness about culture and diverse beliefs should start from the early years. As kids are curious to know everything new and under the sun, it’s the best time to impart these to them. If they are not given the right education about cultural diversity, they will develop their perspectives about each which may not always be positive. Hence, for the inclusion of diverse beliefs cultural awareness from early childhood is essential.

Kids generally try to emulate their parents during their early childhood. Hence parents can positively orient them in cultivating inclusive behaviour in kids. Parents can invite their friends or even their kids’ classmates to their homes and treat them well. This will serve as an example for kids to accept people from different backgrounds. They gradually realise that seemingly differences apart, all are humans. Parents can try to show kids the different cultures and cultural aspects while travelling with kids and should inspire them to appreciate it.

If you dive into any culture or religion, you will find that all of them at their core teach you to love and respect each other. Certain humans misinterpret them and create chaos for personal benefit by misleading millions out there. That will only result in bloodshed and hatred. Teach kids about the diversity of nature its strength and beauty. When they reach adulthood, they will have to work in a multicultural environment and this awareness from schools makes them manage that.

Colour and culture broaden one’s perspective on life and the world. For social, economic and cognitive development, culture helps to give the right impact. Cultural background gives individual identity and self-realisation. It provides them with a sense of who they are and their society. The culture, customs, languages, food, religious practices, etc can influence their emotional, social, linguistic and holistic development.

School uniforms are generally adopted to make kids aware that all are one nevertheless cultural and religious differences. Kids quickly learn things through what they visually experience. They see that all are given the same clothes (uniform) and that it’s because they all deserve the same and because all are equal. Also, during lunch breaks kids see varied kinds of food in the lunch boxes of other kids. School teachers must motivate kids to share food occasionally. The different flavours and cuisines are yet another way to familiarise diversity.

Help the future generations break stereotypes, embrace cultural diversity, swipe away all kinds of discrimination and move ahead with inclusive development. Remember the words of Aude Lorde- “It is not our differences that divide us. We cannot recognize, accept and celebrate those differences.” Ved Gruh from its inception is moving ahead with the urge to make its environment culturally inclusive.