As an early childhood educator, you are entrusted with shaping children for the future. Creating a multicultural environment in the learning space is one of the most effective ways of helping children prepare for this world as they learn inclusive ways of thinking, working and being. The following article provides ideas and strategies for creating a multicultural environment in an early childhood setting. 

The Common Words in Different Languages Posters list common words in the multicultural languages spoken throughout Australia. These are very helpful for Educators communicating with children where English isn't their first language and to also teach children common words in different languages.

The Children Of The World Matching Cards enable children to match the child card to their matching one. These cards represent children from around the world. This is a great visual awareness activity children can do. This will also show children the similarities and differences between others.

The Preschool Multicultural Support Program is designed to assist the inclusion of children from CALD and refugee backgrounds in quality preschool education and to build the cultural competency of early childhood educators.  Eligible community and mobile preschool services can access 20 hours of FREE face-to-face multicultural support for any children who require assistance.

Respect for Diversity is one of the main principles that underpin the Belonging, Becoming and Being: Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. Thus it is mandatory for services and educators to use practice that incorporates diverse cultures, especially in monocultural classrooms where opportunities for practice diversity can appear limited. Here are some examples of ways diverse cultures can be embedded in everyday practice.

Learning environments are spaces that facilitate the all-round development of children through developmentally appropriate routines, program plans, tools as well as opportunities for play and exploration. The indoor environment, playground, outdoors are some common learning environments that should be welcoming and understanding of the needs, backgrounds and abilities of all children.

The Welcome In Different Languages Posters provides "Welcome" in 21 different languages. These are great to use as a display around the entrance to provide an inclusive environment. It's also a great way for children to learn "Welcome" in different languages from around the world. 

The Children Of The World Posters show children from around the world. These are great to display within the learning environment that enable children to observe how children from different parts of the world, how they dress, similarities and differences. These are great to show diversity, belonging and harmony.

Eh oo ah
Pitjantjatjara Pitjantjatjara
Eh Oo Ah
Pitjantjatjara Pitjantjatjara
Kutju, Kutjata, Munkurpa
One, Two, Three
One, Two, Three!

Hints and Tips: 

• Numbers -  Kutju (koo-joo) One (1) - Kutjara ( koo-djah-rah) Two (2) - Munkurpa (man-koor-pah) Three (3)
• Anangu mainly speak Pitjantjatjara and Yunkunytjatjara. These are dialects of the Western Desert Language, the largest language group of Aboriginal Australia. The group includes 4000 speakers and stretched northwest to Balgo, west to Port Headland, south to Kalgoorlie, Yalata, Oodnadatta and northeast of Alice Springs. 

Taba Naba is a children's song originating in the Torres Strait Islands just north of the continent of Australia. This song is usually accompanied by a sit-down dance where the dancers perform traditional movements corresponding to the lyrics.