ABSTRACT
A central theme to emerge out of this discussion thus far, is the importance of the early childhood professional developing skills to deal with diversity. It is of equal importance that we develop the ability to instil in the children a responsiveness to these same concerns. Article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child highlights an emphasis on individual and cultural diversity as fundamental to instilling in children a sense of mutually tolerant citizenship in a free society. An emphasis on respecting others will also involve early childhood professionals in celebrating the differing knowledge and skills brought by children into educational settings. These include language, cultural heritages and life experiences, as well as differing skills, abilities, interests and outlooks. To recognise these features by making them visible in the curriculum will bring about the additional benefit of assisting children and their families to feel that they have something important to contribute to the educational setting. The importance of ensuring that children from all ethnic, religious and linguistic groups have opportunities to enjoy their culture,
to practise or profess their religion and to use their language with others is also highlighted in Article 30 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child.
