In today’s world, cultural awareness matters so much. At Eaton Square Prep School, we believe it begins in the earliest years.
Why it matters
Children exposed to different cultures learn to appreciate similarities and differences. This fosters empathy and open-mindedness — essential for future global citizens.
Cultural play also supports key developmental areas: it promotes Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED) by encouraging respect, cooperation, and confidence when engaging with diverse traditions. It also strengthens Communication and Language skills through rich opportunities for new vocabulary, storytelling, and meaningful conversations about customs and experiences. These interactions help children build social awareness and expressive language while developing a sense of identity and belonging.
Our approach
Through our Language of the Term, global festivals (Diwali, Chinese New Year), and themed activities, children experience music, food, stories, and traditions from around the world.
Here are some activities that we do:
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- Children explore trays filled with rice, lentils, or spices during Diwali or handle textured fabrics and chopstick for Chinese New Year. This engages touch, smell, and sight while introducing cultural materials.
- Dressing in traditional clothing such as saris, cheongsams, or festive hats allows children to act out cultural celebrations, fostering confidence and imaginative play.
- We use props like puppets, musical instruments, and picture books to bring cultural stories to life. For example, retelling the story of Rama and Sita with puppets during Diwali or using dragon masks for Chinese New Year stories encourages expressive language and active listening.
- Visit international festivals in London
- Read books with diverse characters
- Cook a dish from another culture
- Learn a greeting or song in a new language
- Ask: “Why do people celebrate this?”
- Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne
- Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema
- Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book by Joan Holub
- “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” in different languages
- Traditional festival songs (e.g., Diwali bhajans or Chinese New Year songs with simple beats)
- Making fruit salad inspired by Handa’s Surprise
- Simple dumplings for Chinese New Year
- Decorating Diwali sweets (like coconut ladoos)