What is Cultural Capital? Essential knowledge children need to be educated citizens. We value the cultural capital that every child brings to the setting. It is the role of the setting to help the children experience the awe and wonder of the world in which they live, through the seven areas of learning (Ofsted 19). It is the study of society, including relationships, social interactions and culture. It is important to recognise that everyone has cultural capital - that is - knowledge, skills and behaviours, and that these accumulate over time through many different experiences and opportunities. Cultural capital is understood to contribute to ‘getting on in life’ or ‘social status’, i.e. being able to perform well in school, knowing how to talk in different social groups or societies, accessing higher education and being successful in work or a career. Valuing the cultures of children and families Every child and family who joins a setting will have their own knowledge and experiences that will link to their culture and wider family. This might include: languages, beliefs, traditions, cultural and family heritage, interests, travel and work. Recognising that a child does not arrive ‘empty’, but already knows many things when they start school. The role of the EY setting is to allow children to explore and build on these funds of knowledge. At Cherry Trees we help children to develop and learn in different ways. Every child is a unique child that is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured. We encourage positive relationships. At Cherry Trees we help children to acquire a tolerance and appreciation of and respect for their own
and other cultures; know about similarities and differences between themselves and
others and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions; and share
and discuss practices, celebrations and experiences. Washing up!  Making pictures of the night sky  | Throughout the year we learn about different festivals and traditions that are practiced in Britain. Here are some of the things we have looked at. Eid  We watched a film about celebrating Eid in the UK and looked at the shapes of the crescents and domes on pictures of mosques. Mother's Day  Dussehra and Diwali  We explored different coloured rices and made sparkly rangoli patterns for these festivals. Halloween  We played with pumpkins, made chocolate witches hats and spooky mummy pictures. There were even spiders and webs in the water tray! Holi The Hindu festival of Holi is celebrated by throwing powder paint until everyone is covered in paint - we went for the less messy option of sprinkling powder paint onto glue to make pictures. Christmas  Father Christmas delivered presents.  We put on a nativity play for our families to watch and had a Christmas party.  We learnt about the Christmas story, made decorations, Christmas cards. | St George's Day  Shrove Tuesday On pancake day we made pancakes .... and then we flipped them! Chinese New Year  We filled lucky envelopes with chocolate coins, and we watched a film about celebrating Chinese New Year in the UK.  Playing in our Chinese restaurant - we also tried out noodles and made monkey pictures for Year of the Monkey Fathers' Day We talked about what our Daddys do for us, what we like to do with them and why we love them and we made some Father's Day gifts. Easter  We made Easter cards and looked at things associated with new life at Easter like chickens hatching from eggs. We also made Easter baskets. Bonfire Night  The children made firework pictures using sparkly materials and squirty paint. We talked about being safe with sparklers and fireworks. Remembrance Sunday  Although the children are very young to understand Remembrance Sunday, we introduced them to it by making poppies. St George's Day  We made St George's flags. Valentine's Day  The children told us who was special in their lives and we made cards to give to our loved ones. |
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