Picture this: a preschool classroom where Diwali is celebrated with the same excitement as Christmas, where lullabies are sung in Marathi, Tamil, and Urdu, and where every child feels their story matters — not just during multicultural week, but every single day.

Welcome to the world of Culturally Responsive Teaching in Early Childhood Education, a practice that’s as necessary as nap time but far more transformative. In an eye-opening panel hosted by Education Today, thought leaders from across the education sector gathered to explore how schools can move beyond the superficial celebration of diversity to create classrooms where inclusion, equity, and cultural respect are baked into the very foundation.

Because let’s be honest — “diversity day” isn’t cutting it anymore.

What Is Culturally Responsive Teaching?

First, this isn’t about adding a few international food items to your classroom calendar or teaching kids how to say “hello” in ten languages (though that’s fun, too).

As Tripti David Bhandary, a seasoned child rights advocate and legal expert, put it: Culturally Responsive Teaching is about 'recognition, respect, and inclusivity." It’s about honoring the complex cultural fabric children bring into the classroom — and reshaping our teaching approaches accordingly.

This goes way beyond token gestures in a diverse and multilingual country like India. It means incorporating children’s languages, stories, traditions, and values into the curriculum so they don’t feel like guests in someone else’s classroom.

Instead of fitting children into a one-size-fits-all learning mold, educators are encouraged to reshape the mold entirely — to accommodate every child's unique cultural lens. That’s not just good pedagogy; it's Inclusive Education in the Early Years at its finest.

The Not-So-Obvious Challenges Teachers Face

Let’s address the elephant in the (class)room: even the most well-meaning teachers can carry unconscious biases.

Ratna Raval, Founder and Principal of EarlyStart Montessori, spoke candidly about how anti-bias education in early childhood requires educators to look inward. "It’s not enough to love your students — you also have to recognize how your assumptions might be shaping their experiences," she said.

One practical solution is to build meaningful relationships with families. From one-on-one chats to cultural heritage days and collaborative activities, engaging with families helps educators see each child in a richer, more nuanced light.

This approach lays the groundwork for equity in early childhood learning — creating classrooms where no child is “othered,” no tradition is ignored, and every child’s voice carries weight.
 

What About Children from Marginalized Backgrounds?

Here’s where things get real.

Raval brought attention to the struggles many children from marginalized communities face: inadequate resources, subtle discrimination, and a general lack of cultural representation in learning materials. These barriers don’t just make kids feel excluded — they can directly impact academic performance and emotional well-being.

Culturally relevant pedagogy flips that script. When children see their identities reflected in classroom content, they’re more likely to engage, participate, and thrive. It tells them, “You belong here. Your story matters.”

And that’s not just a feel-good moment — it’s a best practice in early childhood education.

Building an Inclusive Curriculum That Isn’t Just Window Dressing

If culturally responsive teaching were a recipe, “curriculum redesign” would be the main ingredient.

Mayur Marda, co-founder of Elements Kids, urged educators to rethink the content of their teaching. “In India, we have an incredible range of languages, customs, and stories — why not let that richness show up in lesson plans?” he asked.

His advice? Start small and start local.

Consider incorporating folk tales from different communities, creating bilingual storytimes, and inviting grandparents to share family traditions. Even the classroom playlist can reflect a range of musical traditions.

These aren’t just “fun activities” — they’re crucial components of multicultural education for young children. They build bridges between cultures, enhance empathy, and give every child the confidence to bring their whole self to school.

Let’s Talk Language — Literally

Honoring their home languages is one overlooked but vital element in supporting diverse learners.

Rather than pushing for English-only instruction or expecting children to “adjust,” Marda advocates embracing linguistic diversity through multilingual instruction. Research shows that when children learn in a language they understand and identify with, their cognitive and emotional development flourishes.

Using a mix of home languages and the school’s instructional language helps children transition more smoothly while reinforcing their cultural identity. It’s a win-win for education and empowerment.

Whose History Are We Teaching, Anyway?

One of the more thought-provoking points came when Marda addressed the need to decolonize the curriculum.

“Our current systems still reflect a single dominant cultural narrative,” he said. “If we want cultural inclusion in preschool to be meaningful, we must move beyond Eurocentric frameworks.”

That means including regional histories, acknowledging the contributions of marginalized groups, and broadening the perspective from which lessons are taught. In other words, telling the whole story, not just the most convenient one.

It Takes a Village — and a Visionary Principal

Culturally responsive teaching isn’t just the teacher’s job. It requires leadership-driven change from the top down.

The panel concluded with a resounding call for school administrators and policymakers to step up. Without institutional support, even the most passionate educators will hit walls.

Policy-level support could look like:

• Mandatory teacher training in anti-bias education
• Funding for inclusive curriculum development
• Policies that celebrate linguistic diversity
• Frameworks for ongoing community involvement

If administrators truly understand the value of diversity in early childhood education, they will invest in it financially and philosophically.

Real Learning Begins with Real Inclusion

What makes culturally responsive teaching in early childhood so powerful is its potential to shape better learners and better humans. When children grow up seeing every culture as valuable and every voice as important, they carry those lessons for life.

This isn’t a trend — it’s a transformation.

And the earlier we start, the better the outcome. Every moment, from morning circles to mealtime conversations, is an opportunity to practice inclusive education in the early years.

Conclusion: Every Child, Every Culture, Every Classroom

This panel didn’t just deliver talking points—it laid out a roadmap for making early childhood education best practices more equitable, inclusive, and culturally grounded.

So, what can educators do starting tomorrow?

• Reflect on their cultural lens.
• Rework the curriculum to include local and diverse voices.
• Engage families as partners in learning.
• Advocate for systemic change at the policy level.

As more schools embrace culturally relevant pedagogy, the vision of a classroom where every child feels seen, safe, and celebrated is becoming a reality—not just for a few but for all.

To continue exploring how education can reflect and uplift our diverse world, visit www.theenn.com for more insights, expert interviews, and updates from the frontlines of inclusive education.