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Canada's Daycares
Meeting the Needs of a Multicultural Society By Neilia Sherman
Canada's ever-changing mosaic has created new sensitivity within childcare programs across the country. Meeting the multicultural needs of children has become a primary focus amoung those who work in the field of early childhood education, and it is naturally important to parents in choosing childcare services, as well.
Given these facts, it is essential for parents and caregivers alike to be aware of the importance of preparing children to live and learn with people who may be very different from them. Teaching children to value differences can encourage their own self-esteem while protecting them from bias and discrimination. As we all know, children aren't born with prejudice; they see other children as potential playmates. It is only after hearing discriminatory remarks or witnessing examples of prejudice that children develop these beliefs. This is why it is a good idea to begin during the toddler years to promote positive attitudes and behaviours in children.
Cheri Szereszewski, a certified early childhood educator and consultant practicing in Richmond Hill, Ontario, says that most Canadian daycares incorporate the concept of accepting religious or cultural differences into their philosophy statements. She recommends a number of things that daycare centres can do to support new immigrant families or those for whom English is a second language.
"If a childcare centre is in a community that has a large number of immigrants, they can ensure that printed materials, such as application/policies/philosophy statements, are translated into the languages of the parents," she says. Using translators in the community when necessary and becoming familiar with the culture and customs of the countries represented in the community are other suggestions.
For many young children, a daycare is their first time away from their home and family, which is culturally familiar. In order to ease this transition, Szereszewski recommends that daycare workers use the same strategies with immigrant children as they would with any child. "It is important to identify the similarities rather than the differences," she says. For example, the childcare provider can tell the children that we all have eyes, ears, hair, smiles and families while pointing out that we are all unique in our own ways.
Celebrating Our Unique Differences