As early childhood educators, our goal is to foster inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and nurture a strong sense of belonging. One powerful way to do this is by teaching children about colour and culture in early childhood education – moving beyond simply offering skin-toned markers or crayons. While it is important to help children draw and colour in ways that reflect the real world, there are even deeper benefits when we use colour to affirm culture and identity. It can spark conversations about diversity, honour the cultural richness each child brings into the classroom, and celebrate the unique identities of children in diverse classrooms.
Teaching About Colour in Early Childhood Education: A Powerful Tool for Identity
Colour is more than just a visual element – it’s a tool to explore culture, identity, and belonging. In culturally responsive pedagogy in ECE, using colour to celebrate cultural identity can open doors to deeper understanding and connection. Rather than limiting colour to mere representation, we can encourage children to see colour as a reflection of their unique cultural backgrounds and family traditions.
1. Building Cultural Awareness and Empathy: When we talk about cultures, we are teaching children the richness and beauty that exists beyond surface-level appearances. Colours, traditions, foods, clothing, and languages all provide a deeper connection to people’s identities and histories. Instead of focusing only on skin color, we create opportunities for children to engage with the diverse lived experiences of others. This helps them appreciate the richness of different cultures, promoting empathy and understanding rather than simply acknowledging physical traits.
2. Moving Beyond Stereotypes: Talking exclusively about skin colour can unintentionally reinforce stereotypes and limits children’s understanding of the complexity of identity. Culture, on the other hand, is multi-dimensional. When we focus on culture, we move beyond the simplicity of skin color and dive into the broader context of people’s lives, experiences, and worldviews. This broader lens helps dismantle any preconceived notions and nurtures curiosity and open-mindedness.
3. Empowering All Children: By teaching children about colour and culture, we empower them to take pride in their own backgrounds while respecting others’. A culturally responsive curriculum that includes diverse books, music, art, and play helps children feel seen and valued. It also promotes a growth mindset, where children understand that differences are to be celebrated and embraced. It’s not just about “tolerance” but about actively learning to appreciate what makes everyone unique.
4. Creating a Shared Learning Experience: When educators incorporate lessons about different cultures, traditions, and histories, they create a shared learning experience for the entire class. Every child can relate to some aspect of culture – whether it’s their own or through curiosity about others. This sense of shared exploration fosters community-building and deepens bonds among children, helping them learn about each other in meaningful ways.
Some examples of questions to support children when talking about colour and culture might be:
- “Do you have a favourite colour during ___ (name of festival or celebration)?”
- “What colours do you see in ___ (name of festival)?”
- “What colours remind you of home or family?”
- “Have you seen these colours in your clothing, food, or decorations before?”
- “What colours do you use when you celebrate something special?”
- “Do these colours mean something in your family or culture?”
- “Can you tell me a story about a time you wore your favourite colour?”
Benefits of Using Colour to Affirm Identity and Culture in ECE Classrooms
There are numerous benefits when we approach colour and identity in early childhood classrooms with intention:
- Promotes Self-Awareness and Pride: When children see their cultures reflected in the classroom environment, it boosts their sense of self-worth and helps them feel seen and valued.
- Encourages Inclusivity: By exploring how different colours hold significance in various cultures, we create an inclusive classroom where all children can feel a sense of belonging.
- Sparks Conversations About Diversity: Colour opens the door for children to explore complex ideas like diversity, family traditions, and identity, all while developing language skills.
Incorporating Colour as a Teaching Tool for Diverse Cultures
When using colour as a teaching tool for identity and culture in ECE, it’s important to remember that it’s not just about teaching the names of colours. Instead, we should encourage meaningful conversations about culture that reflect children’s lived experiences.
Here are a few ideas to support this practice:
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: For example, “What colours do you see in your home or community?” or “How do different colours make you feel when you celebrate something special?”
- Use Colour to Connect to Cultural Celebrations: Ask children to share colours associated with holidays or traditions in their family. “What colours do you see during Diwali (or other celebrations)?”
- Incorporate Cultural Celebration Books: Choose books that allow for authentic connections between colour and cultural significance, helping children make connections between colour and cultural identity.
Paying attention to how we frame our questions can help children think more deeply about the diverse cultures, traditions, and lived experiences of their friends, families, and community. These questions also make space for children to share what matters to them -with pride, connection, and curiosity.
I hope this quick post inspires you to get creative in the ways you approach teaching about colour! As educators, we can connect learning about colours to so many meaningful things -festivals, memories, clothing, important cultural objects, and the vibrant things we see in our communities.
x Kamini
