Cultivating a colorful community is a significant goal for Encompass Preschool. With families from diverse backgrounds, it’s important for children to share their cultures and experiences with their peers and feel a sense of belonging in the classroom.

Many of our staff members are bilingual and represent different cultures. Together, they have developed a program that not only embraces differences but sees them as a strength for a more enriching preschool experience.

Classroom Sharing

In our Carnation classroom, each child has a turn as student of the week. During a special circle time, they share a poster that tells the class more about them and their family – favorite foods, traditions, celebrations, or pictures of diverse family designs.

Families are invited to visit classrooms to share something about their culture. One of our North Bend classrooms recently enjoyed a tortilla-making session. Donning a traditional Mexican dress, a parent led students through a few simple steps where they rolled their own dough ball, used a press to smash it into a tortilla, then took it to the griddle for cooking. They loved their tasty lunchtime treats!

Encourage Use of Home Language and English at School

Hearing their home language at school benefits children because it fosters stronger cognitive development, enhances academic performance in both the home language and English, and supports emotional well-being by affirming their cultural identity. It acts as a bridge between home and school, allowing for better comprehension of complex concepts while reducing the stress of learning new content solely in a second language.

Multilingual Signage

Schedules, vocabulary, and other signage are displayed in different languages in the classrooms, representing the diversity of students and exposing them to those languages. Teachers also make use of posters and art that are reflective of different languages and cultures.

Songs and Stories in Different Languages

When students read stories and sing songs in languages that are representative of the children in the classroom, it helps them build strong language foundations, enhances comprehension, and supports bilingualism. It fosters a sense of belonging and validates their home culture, making them feel secure and valued in the classroom environment.

Lead Carnation Preschool Teacher Sarah Holmes shares, “Throughout the year, children begin picking up words and phrases in new languages and use them frequently. Including diversity in the classroom helps children see differences as strengths and unique characteristics rather than differences.”

Sarah elaborated on the importance of intentional cultural integration and the impact on children, families, and communities.

“Children respond amazingly to integrated cultures and backgrounds in the classroom. Not only do they see themselves and their families, but they also get to see and learn about their friends. It is a huge component for building our close-knit classroom community, which often extends past the school walls and into the communities the children live in.”