Embracing a Diverse Identity: Language, Ethnicity, Culture, and Gender

This chapter examines how language plays a vital role in globally minded, early childhood education. It explores, by addressing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), how language helps children build relationships, express feelings, share information, and understand the world around them. Parents and teachers reinforce vital communication skills necessary in the education of thoughtful global citizens by picking children’s books that teach without bias and value diverse perspectives. Choosing books with creative and inclusive language exposes children to different cultures and ways of thinking, promoting diversity and understanding. This chapter further discusses the importance of creating diverse classrooms where children’s unique identities are valued and where books help children discover different perspectives while gaining a global outlook.