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Play and the multicultural society

Culture arises and unfolds in and as play.

Johan Huizinga, Dutch historian - 1872–1945

What culture is rising and unfolding in your classroom today? Research suggests that any kind of non-competitive play increases the child’s sense of belonging and cooperation. In the present multicultural world, this sense of belonging is what makes the difference between a united or fractured society. A secure sense of self and belonging also makes it easier to adjust to a rapidly changing society. So, it’s time to examine the play that is taking place in your multicultural classroom.

Why multicultural play?

Firstly, multicultural play through the aid of well chosen multicultural play materials can prepare children for meaningful experiences. It widens the child’s mind and expands their capacity to accept people and things that are different from them. It also equips them to navigate the multicultural maze effectively and often instinctively.  

Moreover, multicultural play exposes children to a variety of cultures all within the comforts and safety of their classroom. This exposure further helps them explore their identity in the context of another culture. Also, when teachers provide multicultural play in the classroom they are essentially providing a practical, cognitive and behavioral cross-cultural social skills training package that gives children the tools needed for succeeding in unfamiliar societies.

How to indulge in multicultural play?

If you are considering introducing multicultural play in the classroom for the first time, here are some tips to help you cruise through!

1. Multicultural play should be accurate: What this means is that the resources you choose should be an accurate representation of the culture. It should also be respectful. Avoid play materials that are not true to racial features or tend to stereotype cultural practices.
2. Blend contemporary and traditional: In order to give children an accurate sense of a culture, you need to incorporate the past and the present. So, if you choose to bring a Japanese doll in a Kimono to the classroom, consider bringing a contemporary representative too!
3. Introduce indigenous games and activities: Children love games – just watch them in the school yard. Use this love of games to get them interested in games and activities specific to certain tribes or communities. A good example is a traditional mancala game or even hopscotch, which is played differently in different countries.
4. Cross-cultural simulation: Take older children a little out of their comfort zone and do a cross cultural activity in class by giving groups different sets of cultural rules to role play. Encourage them to work out ways to communicate and solve tasks using customs specific to that culture.
5. Multicultural counting games: Yes! Add a bit of logical thinking to the mix by incorporating fun counting games. Find out what kind of tools different cultures used to help them with daily math and recreate that experience in class.
6. Address prejudices: Children, young and old, are very sensitive to discrimination. Introduce play material that addresses the issues of oppression, prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. The intensity of this should be determined by the age group and the cultural readiness of the child.
7. Celebrate traditions and festivals: Use multicultural play to celebrate important days in other cultures.
8. Use multicultural manipulatives:  Source culture specific puzzles and toys to stimulate the imagination and add a twist to everyday play.

It is an established fact that children learn through play. Moreover, many prominent and popular schools of pedagogy advocate the use of play in education. The young minds that you mould through play now will be the young minds that make a difference in this world tomorrow. So, why not consider multicultural play in your classroom today?

Article created by Annie Besant & JJ Stranan from Global Kids Oz

Global Kids Oz is Australia's largest multicultural resource supplier with over 1,500 different multicultural resources from over 145 countries of our world to help support cultural understanding in Childcare and Primary schools

Global Kids Oz      1300 32 00 65    culture@globalkidsoz.com.au

www.globalkidsoz.com.au & www.recycledmats.com.au