Building and Sustaining Relationships

Intercultural Experiences

Open communication between educators and families is vital when building and sustaining a positive and supportive partnership. It is important that both sides make efforts to show their commitment and interest in the child’s development through expressing cultural concerns, differences, habits, and any other important information in order to succeed.

In a very diverse team and kindergarten there will inevitably be people with many different physical traits. Children who come from different cultures sometimes fear novel appearances and need ”settling in” in this regard as well. Those who are used to being surrounded by people with similar appearances can be overwhelmed by diversity, which can result in obvious signs of distress. It is important for families to observe how the children are reacting to their new environments, if they see their child is anxious it is important not only to communicate with the educators, but to support their child.

Reading stories with your child that represents a range of people with different background abilities, personalities, interests and gender identities. Books which include images of various types of people provide children a window to other parts of the worlds and help them to gain an understanding of the diversity within it (Bishop, 1990).