Early Childhood Educators' Views on Cultural Literacy and Pedagogical Practices

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Published: Sep 24, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/hjre.37361
Keywords:
Cultural Literacy Early Childhood Educator Pedagogical Practices Multicultural cultural and social values
Eleni Sotiropoulou
West Attica University
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2712-4148
Abstract



Currently, cultural literacy, defined as the ability to understand and appreciate the complexity of different cultures, is an essential aspect of the wellbeing in modern societies. Its significance is increasingly acknowledged as a crucial component of young children's education, contributing to the development of behavioral and empathetic values and attitudes. For this reason, educators in early childhood education and care settings are tasked not only with imparting knowledge about diverse cultures to children but also with shaping their overall worldview. This is especially important as children are in a critical developmental stage where fundamental values and attitudes are being formed. Considering this, the paper aims to explore how educators perceive cultural literacy and integrate it into their pedagogical practices. To achieve this purpose, a questionnaire was constructed that targeted early childhood educators and combined quantitative (closed-ended questions) and qualitative analysis (open-ended questions). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS for the quantitative component and thematic analysis for the qualitative responses. The findings of the study provide valuable insights for policy makers and educators, emphasizing the importance of cultural literacy in developing a more inclusive and culturally sensitive generation of children, while also highlighting the pedagogical practices applied in educational and care settings to cultivate it.




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