Our world is vibrant and full of people with different backgrounds, life experiences, habits, passions, beliefs, identities and beyond, and to ignore this might put your child at a disadvantage in a world that is highly social. The impact of diversity in the classroom is that by introducing children to a diverse range of peers from a young age, they will have the skills and experience to live and work in our diverse world.
New experiences can be intimidating, even for adults. Be it culture shock, new languages, or unfamiliar customs, meeting new people later in life can be challenging. By experiencing learning in a diverse classroom setting, your child will be well versed and comfortable with the unique attributes of those they meet, be they cultural, social, physical, or beyond. Through repeated exposure to new experiences in a safe and engaging environment, your child will learn the skills they need to thrive in any future work environment.
In order for your child to be well prepared for a modern work environment, it is essential that they experience the benefits of diversity throughout their life. Here are three ways your child will experience the benefits of diversity in the classroom well into their future.
1. Comfort in new environments and experiences
One great way to illustrate diversity in the classroom is through teachers and assistant teachers. Representation is an essential component of a truly diverse learning environment, and the teachers and assistant teachers should reflect the diverse nature of the student body. When your child sees themselves in a teacher, research has shown that these students enjoy improved confidence and comfort in their learning environment . This is because through representation, your child will see them as a mentor and as someone who inspires them and shows them they can do whatever they set their mind to.
2. Helps develop essential skills
Academic confidence is one major skill your child will develop from learning in a diverse classroom. By including diversity in the classroom, we are teaching your child how to listen to the perspectives of their peers and to think in a far more critical manner. Children are sponges, absorbing information from all around them, and it’s critical their peers are included in these conversations. So another skill that other students need is the ability Empathy. By understanding the self-confidence and attitudes of other students, the student develops a tendency to express their views freely.
3. Enhances the learning experience
In conjunction with mentioned two approaches, it is possible to develop students' skills based on their differing perspectives. Diversity in the classroom has been attributed to improved cognitive abilities in children because different perspectives lead to engaging conversations and discussions in the classroom. This also often results in increased classroom engagement and further have positive effect on student friendship.
