FREE professional development training for educators “Embracing cultural diversity in kindergarten” Cairns, 25th - 26th March 2015 1. Cultural awareness • What is culture and how does it relate to my kindergarten? • What does cultural competence look like in a kindergarten setting? 2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives • Introduction to Australian Aboriginal history; • Diversity within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural groups; • Connecting with community elders and leaders; • The importance of embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island perspectives in Early Childhood. 3. Working with refugee families • Differences between migrants, refugee and asylum seekers; • Journeys to kindergarten for refugee children; • Strategies for working with traumatised refugee children. 4. Embedding cultural understandings • Critical reflections on culture; • Exploring ways of embedding new cultural understandings; • Using self-reflection to create culturally inclusive kindergartens. 5. Cross-cultural communication • Communication styles across cultures; • Understanding the context of cultures; • Supporting language diversity in kindergarten; • Using interpreter services. 6. Encouraging parental participation • Cross-cultural concepts of ‘family’; • Working with diverse families; • Reasons why families won’t engage; • Moving from participation to partnership. As each session builds on the previous session attendance at all sessions is recommended The EMBRACE - Culture in Kindy program aims to increase kindergarten participation for children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds. The program works with community-based organisations in 14 priority locations across Queensland to provide support to both kindergartens and local communities. The EMBRACE-Culture in Kindy program is an initiative of the Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS), funded by the Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE). EMBRACE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we work, live and walk. We honour and respect the elders past, present and future. REGISTRATION “Embracing cultural diversity in kindergarten” All children have the right to participate in a quality kindergarten program that is culturally safe, culturally inclusive and culturally appropriate. Dates: Wednesday 25th March and Thursday 26th March 2015 Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm Venue: Rydges Tradewinds 137 The Esplanade, Cairns QLD 4870 Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided Contact name: Participant names: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Organisation: Email: Address: Phone number: Dietary Requirements: To register: To register your attendance please complete this registration form, scan and email to: [email protected] For further information: Please contact Cherie Lamb, Ranu James or Rekha Prasad at: EMBRACE Culture in Kindy Phone: (07) 3004 6900 Mobile: 0455 064 735 Email: [email protected] www.embracekindy.com.au