Early childhood education in multicultural contexts: from inclusion to Social transformation in Latin America

Abstract

Nowadays, early childhood education in multicultural contexts is essential for the integral development of children, since it promotes the development of cognitive and emotional skills, as well as encouraging the construction of solid and representative cultural identities. In the context of globalization, where cultural homogenization is a reality, education must integrate inclusive perspectives, dialogue of knowledge and training in common values, so that differences are respected and the ways of life of different cultures are kept alive. Despite its great diversity, Latin America and the Caribbean are subject to inequality, poverty and other factors that hinder divergent educational practices. For this reason, this article analyzes the interrelationship between early childhood education and multiculturalism, considering different aspects, such as the duty of pedagogical approaches, social contexts, and the Latin American social reality, emphasizing that multicultural education transcends academic limitations and is presented as a social demand for the vindication of identity and culture. The methodological approach used is that of documentary exploration. It is concluded that early childhood education in multicultural contexts represents an act of social justice, of recognition of identity and diversity, in order to promote the development of knowledge.