6 Fun Ways to Promote Diversity in Early Childhood

From November 19^th to 25^th, the world celebrates Heritage Week. So much history, culture and traditions make up this wonderful world, and what better time to teach children about all this than during World Heritage Week. It is an opportunity to focus on the rich cultural heritage around us while inculcating an extremely important lesson – to appreciate the diversity around us. Embracing and appreciating differences is what builds respect and empathy. As adults, it is our duty to engage children in discussions about diversity and its beauty, so we can shape a better world for tomorrow.  

Here are 6 fun ways to promote diversity in early childhood, designed with the vibrancy of our surroundings in mind.

1. A Storytelling Circle Inspired by Regional Folktales 

This one is easy to organize and can shed light on India’s diverse folktales, myths, and legends, adding an exciting touch to routine storytelling sessions. Invite families from across the country. Encourage them to bring relevant objects, artifacts, or dress in costumes to support their stories and captivate the audience with tales of their origins. For example, a story from the Northeast could include bamboo crafts while a story from the Southern coast could include coconuts and seashells. The experience of listening to tales from various regions will not only help children connect to far away parts of the land but also connect each of them to what they share in common.

2. Heritage Art Exchange: Crafting with Cultural Materials

Art provides a tactile and visual way for children to explore cultural differences. Host a heritage art exchange where children create artwork using materials or patterns inspired by different communities. For instance, there can be Madhubani patterns, block printing motifs, or Warli art material. Have children form small groups and choose one cultural art to explore and design. In this exercise, they are encouraged to learn more about one particular art, its origins, how it is done, and where it comes from. This research and understanding deepens their knowledge of a culture and its form of expression, leading to greater appreciation for the format. It is also a good idea to display the finished pieces in a community space, so everyone can appreciate their work, encouraging them to participate in more such activities.

3. Cultural Food Lab – Cook, Share, and Learn

Food is a universal language that transcends boundaries. A cultural food lab can be organized either at school or in a community space where children and families bring recipes from various regions. Have children help in preparing the food and educate them about its origins, ingredients, and any other specific features. Children can then present and explain what they have made at the food lab. With this, children and families get a deeper insight into each region's specialties. The fun part is that everyone gets to taste something new along with valuable cultural exchange.

4. Language Treasure Hunt – Words from Across Regions

Apart from magic shows, a language treasure hunt can be a great game for a birthday party. After all, language is a gateway to understanding culture. Look for simple words, phrases, or greetings from various languages spoken across the country and prepare flashcards. Hide them around a designated space. As children find each card, they can take a chance at pronouncing the word and matching it to the correct region on a map. This playful activity not only broadens vocabulary but also instills curiosity and appreciation for linguistic diversity.

5. Heritage Dress Day with a Twist 

For many children, dressing up can be an interesting activity. Make it a traditional dress up day with a simple story or role-play element to make it more engaging. Each child can choose a specific region, profession, or culture to represent and prepare a monologue for a few minutes. This approach can be entertaining to witness as each child displays their costumes and talents, providing valuable information in an interactive way.

6. Music and Movement Mashup – Exploring Regional Rhythms

In India, we have several festivals that offer a deep dive into regional dance and music. For example, we have Dandiya and Garbha during Navratri from Gujarat and Theyyam in Kerala. We can use our regional festivals to invite musicians and folk dancers to perform for an audience, displaying the unique music and dance from a particular state. Children could also try their hand by experimenting with beats from different traditions and creating new sequences as diversity is not just about differences but also about collaboration and innovation.

Celebrating Diversity with Purpose

These activities help children understand that every region, whether big or small, has something to offer. By participating in such activities, they are exposed to the cultural richness around them that could otherwise be easily lost in our modern world. By engaging with stories, art, food, language, clothing, and music from various regions, children learn that diversity is something to be celebrated, shared, and preserved. 

At Dibber India, upholding diversity is one of our primary tenets, and one that is inculcated from an early age. We believe that it creates the foundation for empathy, understanding, and respect for cultures and people. With a host of immersion programs and inclusive activities, Dibber helps children value differences and enjoy them with confidence. In doing so, we truly nurture compassionate, global citizens who will carry forward their roots and cultural values with pride.