Preschoolers like to investigate! They enjoy learning about the world around them. The Project Approach involves children in studies of the world around them.
Scenario: You are a three-year-old preschool teacher. As a preschool teacher, you have noticed an increased need to create a multicultural and linguistically responsive classroom for your children. For this assignment, you will research how teachers create a multicultural classroom and prepare a lesson that you would teach 3 and 4 year old children about culture. You may use learning centers in your description of the assignment. For instance, you want to teach the children about cultural foods from around the world. You will type out your lesson to include learning objectives, materials, purpose of the lesson, directions to complete the activity, and an assessment at the end.
The assignment must be typed in Microsoft Word and uploaded as a word document of PDF file.
Learning Centers that can be used include:
Computer Area
Library
Science/Discovery
Dramatic Play
Kitchen/Cooking
Blocks
Art
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, children will be able to:
Identify and name at least two foods from a different culture.
Use new vocabulary related to food and cooking from another culture (e.g., "tortilla," "kimchi," "flatbread").
Express an appreciation for different types of foods and cultures.
Engage in collaborative dramatic play related to cultural cooking.
Materials
Dramatic Play Area: Play kitchen, pretend pots and pans, a variety of pretend food items, and props representing different cultures (e.g., small tortillas, chopsticks, colorful patterned fabrics).
Kitchen/Cooking Area: A recipe for a simple flatbread (e.g., naan or tortillas), flour, water, salt, rolling pins, and a small griddle or pan for the teacher to use.
Library Area: Children's books featuring diverse families and cultural foods, such as Fry Bread: A Native American Story by Kevin Noble Maillard or Lulu and the Hunger Monster by Jennifer P. Williams.
Art Area: Large paper plates, markers, crayons, glitter, and pre-cut images of different cultural foods.
Purpose of the Lesson
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce 3- and 4-year-old children to the concept of culture and diversity in a tangible and relatable way: through food. Food is a universal experience that connects us all. By exploring foods from different cultures, children learn that while people may eat different things, everyone has traditions that are important to their family and community. This hands-on, multi-sensory lesson promotes respect for diversity and encourages a sense of curiosity about the world.
Directions to Complete the Activity (Learning Centers)
Large Group Opening (5-10 minutes): Gather children on the rug. Begin the lesson by asking, "What are some of your favorite foods?" After a few responses, introduce the idea that people all over the world eat different kinds of food. Show a picture of a flatbread and a picture of a rice bowl, explaining that people in different places eat these foods.
Introduction to Centers (5 minutes): Briefly explain the activities available in each learning center. For example: "In the dramatic play area, we have a kitchen with new food from other countries! In the cooking area, we will make our own flatbread to share!"
Small Group Rotations (20 minutes per center): Divide the children into small groups and allow them to rotate between the following centers:
Sample Answer
Lesson Plan: "Foods from Around the World"
Introduction to Creating a Multicultural Classroom
Creating a multicultural and linguistically responsive classroom for preschoolers is essential for fostering a sense of belonging and global awareness. A multicultural classroom goes beyond simply celebrating holidays; it integrates diverse perspectives, traditions, and languages into the daily curriculum. For young children, this exposure helps to build empathy, reduce stereotypes, and lay the foundation for a more inclusive worldview. By including elements from various cultures, such as books, music, art, and food, teachers validate each child's identity and encourage them to appreciate differences. A linguistically responsive approach means acknowledging and celebrating the languages spoken at home, creating an environment where all children feel their voice is valued and understood.