Multicultural Teaching Tips and Ideas

Use These Tips in Your Classroom or Home to Support Multicultural Learning

Does anyone in your class speak another language? If so teach others how to say various greetings or words and share it with the children ie Hello - Kiaora from New Zealand or Sawadee Ka or Krap (depending if your male or female) in Thai

Answer your phone or welcome your students into the classroom each day in a different language Click here to view Global Greetings or here to see our Christmas greetings list for festive greeting ideas

Walk around your class and ask a child to name a different country than the child before if they can and then find out if anyone in the class has visited that country for a holiday, has friends from that country, what they know about that country or what language they may speak in that country?

Ask parents or local elders to come into your kindy or school and spend an hour or so talking your children about myths and legends of their culture and explain to them why they are so important and form such a solid basis to life.

Multicultural music can be used to teach educational content. For example: When teaching rhymes to lower primary kids, consider using Karadi Tales Rhyming Book & CD Series to teach Indian rhymes. This will introduce the child to meter, rhythm pattern and context that would normally be out of their reach.

Use music to introduce a new language. If you have plans to introduce your classroom to a new language, begin by showcasing music that's familiar, fun and easy-to-learn. This way, the chances of a child being open to a foreign language are higher. Recommended resource: German - Teach Me German Christmas Songs, Frohliche Weinhnachten Teach Me traditional Songs & Traditions, Worldwide - Latin Playground Activity Kit - Book & CD

Use multicultural music to enhance educational content. Music helps students get a deeper feel for and appreciate the educational content you are imparting. In your geography/ history classroom use Celebrate the Human Race CD and Book Kit to visit The Nile, Rio, The Grand Canyon, Iqazu Falls, Mount Everest, Yosemite Valley and many other exciting places around the world in song. If environmental concerns are what you're highlighting, get a copy of Everything's Gone Green, Environmental CD by the Fabulous Lemon Drops.

Create an atmosphere that's conducive to teaching. Most students might fidget in class or complain of boredom when faced with reams and reams of text. Switch text with music for a more engaged learning process. For example: When teaching older students about the history of Aboriginal music, use Aria Award Winner - Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's album Gurrumul. The songs are largely sung in indigenous languages and you can challenge your students to identify them. If you are trying to teach your class the history of Africa, we recommend resources such as Songs and stories from Uganda Book and CD,African Playground Putumayo CD etc.

In the home. Music can be extremely stimulating as well as completely relaxing. To brighten up a kid's play date, put on Sesame Street Playground CD in 12 different languages. If you're winding up for the day, consider Celtic Dreamland SleeptimeCD which focuses on the softer side of Celtic music, harvested from the rich musical traditions of Ireland, Scotland, eastern Canada and beyond. The CD has songs that are perfect for the slumbering child, meditating mom and dad, or the weary worker desperate for a little quiet relaxation.

On a drive. Fill long trips with laughter and make it subtly educational by picking the latest release in the award-winning Playground CD series from Putumayo Kids. The new album presents a multilingual collection of animal-themed songs from around the world. Other recommendations are: Putumayo Hawaiian Playground CD with Hawaiian ukuleles, slide guitars, amusing lyrics and enchanting voices that will charm children and adults alike, Worldwide - Jazz Playground Putumayo CDand Worldwide - Rock & Roll Putumayo CD.

At the work place. Introduce your co-workers to sounds from around world with sources like Lietuviskos Polkos - Lithuanian Music, "Malk" Saltwater Band CD with Geoffrey Gurrumbul, Arabic Groove Putumayo CD etc. In the day care center. Putumayo Kids' Acoustic Dreamland and Multicultural Lullabies around the World CD are wonderful to soothe the tiny tots.

More tips coming often - check back often as whenever we get the chance we will upload more of our ideas! Thanks