Learning in a Multicultural Community

Vania plays a Brazilian instrument to Carnival music to the delight of the soon to be dancing children.

Yesterday our Teddybear classroom had a Brazilian celebration. Vania Mendonca, Simon’s mom, having just returned from a trip home to Brazil, came in to introduce our four year olds to Brazilian Carnival. The children brought their costumes and Vania brought music, instruments, and lots of interesting information about the celebration. As she was showing the children where Brazil was on the map, comments starting popping up from the group. “I was born in Sweden!” “I’m from France, that green place right there!” “I am from China!” These comments were made with great pride and showed a strong sense of identity. That’s the kind of diverse community spirit we love at CPSC. Our children are proud of who they are and that pride is encouraged and nurtured by our classroom activities provided with the help of our parents. And as you can see from the photo of the event, the children in their carnival costumes were engaged and having a great time!

And yet more wonderful stuff . . . As I passed through the Hummingbird classroom I heard that several Hummingbird children (2 year olds) had learned how to tell our new friend, Ellie, who recently came to us speaking mostly Mandarin, “Mama hui lai,” when Ellie is sad. This is how you say Mama is coming soon in Mandarin. Our children under the expert guidance of their teachers, learn that different people speak different languages and they are happy to extend themselves to learn words in a new language to help a new friend.

Doesn’t that just make you smile?