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Culture and identity go together like peas and carrots. Often a person’s self-concept and identity are deeply rooted in their culture. This is because every culture has a traditional view of what each person’s role is. Whether you are a man or woman born in a specific region your role in the structure of your culture can differ greatly. Though it is the modern era, some cultures maintain traditional roles that have been carried throughout history. This impacts a person’s identity in major ways. Comparing our cultures with other cultures also helps to shape our identities.
Preschool children are developing their own self-concept and identity that is also based on their culture.
They may not be aware of their culture as it is labeled and considered by others, but they do have their own which dictates much of their lives. Teaching multicultural art in conjunction with cultural themes gives children the opportunity to consider their culture and identity. Developing one’s own identity or self-concept is the first step in developing a positive self-concept which can support confidence and pride.
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Pride
Art is often a multi-step, child-led experience that takes a lot of patience and hard work. Participating in this type of project and then having something to show for it at the end is a great source of excitement and pride for young children! Multicultural art provides an engaging and enjoyable opportunity to learn about oneself and develop a project that builds a child’s pride.
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When multicultural art is introduced in a respectful fashion with background information about artisans and crafters, children are also learning about the pride that these people feel in their work. Another aspect of multicultural art is the pride that all people within a culture feel for the artisanal representations of their culture. A family’s Native American totem is a piece of art that tells a story and makes them proud of their heritage and culture. Children learning about this can understand the pride that the families feel for their heritage. An Indian Diya is made as a celebration of an important event in Indian culture which many people are proud to participate in. Children learning about this celebration and participating in creating these works of art are understanding the pride that this event brings to the people of India. These are unique opportunities to feel pride from many different angles.
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Extension Activities
The next several pages contain lesson plan examples for your benefit. This information is provided for your reference and use in the classroom. It is important to read through the lesson plans and complete the worksheets before advancing to the next page, as you will need the information to complete the final assignment.
The next several pages contain lesson plan examples for your benefit. This information is provided for your reference and use in the classroom. It is important to read through the lesson plans and complete the worksheets before advancing to the next page, as you will need the information to complete the final assignment.