In an increasingly connected world, many families raise their children in multicultural contexts, where languages, religions and traditions are intertwined every day. This path, full of challenges but also of opportunities, is a real adventure that can give children a curious and open identity towards themselves and others. The value of multiculturalism can be transmitted through daily practices such as cooking traditional dishes or celebrating family anniversaries: every occasion becomes a precious moment of sharing.
Through direct participation, children can learn from early childhood to see traditions not as a burden, but as a gift to be cherished.
A fundamental role is also played by the stories, read and told in different languages, that parents, relatives and friends keep alive at home. Storytelling not only enriches the vocabulary, but also becomes a key to access family stories, the experiences of grandparents and great-grandparents, the sense of belonging to a community that goes beyond borders. Growing up in a multicultural family also means going beyond one’s roots. Attending festivals, reading books, or watching films from different cultures helps children open up to the world, respect others, and develop empathy. Diversity is not something to be feared, but a richness that is renewed every day.
To consolidate all this, travel plays a decisive role. Visiting the countries of origin of parents or grandparents and meeting relatives abroad allows children to experience first-hand what they have learned at home.
Transmitting the value of multiculturalism to children requires patience, perseverance and awareness, but the fruits are extraordinary. Children who grow up with strong roots and at the same time with an open mind become adults who are confident, empathetic and capable of appreciating the beauty of diversity.
If you want to find out how to adopt more sustainable and multicultural practices within preschools, discover the SUSIEE project – Sustainability and Interculturality in 0-3 Early Childhood Education and Care.
SUSIEE creates and disseminates innovative educational approaches dedicated to early childhood, focusing on sustainability, interculturality and holistic development of children. The project involves schools, educators and families in Italy, Spain and Hungary and promotes workshops, tools and resources to enhance identity and diversity from the earliest years of life, promoting inclusive, respectful and conscious learning.
About the project
SUSIEE – Sustainability and interculturality in 0-3 early childhood education and care is a project funded by DG EAC, KA220-SCH – Cooperation partnerships in school education.
Partners
- Universidad del País Vasco (Spain, coordinator)
- Consorcio Haurreskolak (Spain)
- Associacio La Xixa Teatre (Spain)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- Associazione di promozione sociale Naturalmente (Italy)
- Partners For Democratic Change (Hungary)
- Johanna Bischitz Centre for Integrated Human Services (Hungary)
For further information
Read more about the project.
Contact Marco Gennaro: marco.gennaro@cesie.org.
