Culturally responsive pedagogy in early childhood education

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Culturally responsive pedagogy in early childhood education

HomeEarly childhood education resourcesCulturally responsive pedagogy in early childhood education

Topic summary

Culturally responsive pedagogy can validate children’s cultural identities and enable them to access and engage with the cultural practices of their homes and communities.

Culturally responsive pedagogy involves teachers adapting and transforming their practice as a result of a deep engagement with and understanding of children’s and families’ diverse cultures. Culturally responsive pedagogy affirms, values and draws from children’s cultures, and actively supports and maintains children’s cultural identities and practices.  

 

It is important to note that culturally responsive pedagogy involves more than an awareness of the festivals and diets of major national groups. Individuals are guided by cultural beliefs, values and norms for everyday actions and interactions, leading to significant differences among people from the same cultural background. Culture cannot be reduced to set of practices around food, costume and holidays. 

Cultural differences between home practices and those of early childhood settings can negatively affect children’s adjustment to the setting and their subsequent learning. Culturally responsive pedagogy can mitigate the difficulties and marginalisation families experience when their home cultural practices are in conflict with those of the early childhood setting and mainstream culture. 

While there is currently little evidence that directly links culturally responsive practices to increased learning and achievement, the incorporation of aspects of children’s home culture into early childhood settings in New Zealand has been shown to successfully mediate the learning experiences of Chinese immigrant children in comparison to children in settings where their home cultures are not supported. Research also demonstrates reduced stereotypes and increased parent partnership when teachers’ practices are culturally responsive. 

  • Develop an awareness of the cultural basis of your thoughts, actions, and beliefs, and reflect on how your perceptions and practices influence your expectations of families 
  • Interrogate how culture is connected to power and inequality, and how the pedagogical and bureaucratic practices of the early childhood setting privilege some families over others 
  • Seek to understand the practices, perspectives and beliefs of families 
  • Develop sensitive, long-term relationships and connections to learn about families 
  • Use discussion and dialogue to co-construct mutually agreed pedagogies with families that incorporate families’ values into the curriculum and programme 

  • Have you created forums for discussion with families in which different perspectives co-exist and are valued? 
  • What do you do when the values, aspirations or expectations of families are different to your own? 
  • What do you do to find out about children’s home lives and families’ approaches to learning?  
  • Do you adapt practices according to the needs and preferences of diverse families?  
  • How do you develop your knowledge and understanding of cultural differences? 

Research reviews

Culturally responsive pedagogy in early childhood education

An overview of the research on culturally responsive pedagogy in early childhood settings.

Principles for culturally responsive teaching in early childhood education

A closer look at the key principles underlying culturally responsive teaching in early childhood settings.

How to support Māori children with culturally responsive teaching

Strategies for effectively supporting Māori children and whānau as Māori in early childhood settings.

How to use a superdiversity approach to work with migrant families in early childhood care and education settings

Understanding superdiversity and what it means in early childhood settings.

How to support recently immigrated children and families with culturally responsive practice

Strategies specifically designed to help you work with children and families who are recent immigrants to New Zealand.

Understanding the families you work with: Reflective questions to uncover cultural differences

A set of useful questions to help you notice and understand the beliefs, values and practices of diverse families.

How to avoid a tokenistic or ‘tourism’ approach to diversity

How to ensure that your approach to culturally responsive practice is genuine rather than tokenistic.

Māori and Pasifika cultural perspectives on infant-toddler care

An introduction to the importance of culture, identity and belonging in infant and toddler pedagogy.

Culturally responsive mathematics teaching in early childhood education

The importance of culture in children's early maths learning.

Kaupapa Māori and leadership in early childhood education

An introduction to the key principles of kaupapa Māori leadership and their implications for early childhood settings.

Webinars

Kaupapa Māori principles and leadership in early childhood settings

COMING UP: 7.30PM THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20
Dr Tui Summers will talk about some of the key principles that underpin kaupapa Māori leadership

Autism and culturally responsive practice

COMING UP: 7.30 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14
Dr Jessica Tupou (Victoria University Wellington) will share insights from her ongoing research into supporting autistic children and the importance of taking a culturally responsive approach

Creating a culture of inclusion in early childhood settings

Dr Kate McAnelly shares her research into disability and inclusion, and how early childhood centres can create a culture of inclusion that supports the wellbeing, learning, and engagement of all children

Promoting gender inclusiveness in early childhood settings

Professor Mara Sapon-Shevin (Syracuse University, USA) discusses how early childhood teachers can approach gender non-conformity, including the prevalent and often unquestioned gender-based assumptions present in society

Bilingualism in early childhood settings

Associate Professor Mere Skerrett from Victoria University of Wellington shares insights into her work on bilingualism and language development in early childhood settings.
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Infographics

Snapshots

Science and kaitiakitanga: a relationship in harmony 

Using science for children to learn how to protect and nurture their environment.

Valuing traditional Māori medicine: Rongoā

Engaging in Rongoā Māori in early childhood settings.

Supporting children to become bilingual in Aotearoa New Zealand

Key insights from our webinar on bilingualism with Associate Professor Mere Skerrett.

Exploring Samoan epistemology and pedagogy for culturally responsive practice with infants and toddlers

Key insights from our second webinar with Jacoba Matapo, Salā Faasaulala Tagoilelagi-Leota, and Tafili Utumapu-McBride.

Enhancing mana through kaitiakitanga for children’s wellbeing in early childhood education

Key insights from our webinar with Lesley Rameka.
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