Making links to the wider community –

Recognising the wider community

Each child comes from a unique social and cultural background and it is important that children understand and respect this diversity. Your children need to be able to connect their culture with activities in your setting and to develop a sense of belonging and identity. Through learning about the different cultures of their peers, children become comfortable with cultural similarities and differences and learn to respect all cultures in the wider community with empathy and without prejudices.

Here are some ideas to support you in taking opportunities to engage with the wider community:

• Explore the local community with children. For example, you can visit different religious or civic buildings.
• Engage with people from the wider community. For example, invite a craftsperson to demonstrate a cultural craft.
• Help out in the local community. This could be litter picking, planting trees in a park, visiting elderly residents in a care home on a regular basis, or an alternative activity relevant to your setting.