*Please note Expanding Services Understanding of Diversity - ISF/PSFO Tuesday 2 March 2010 has been rescheduled to Wednesday 12 May 2010.

 

Cultural Perspectives of Islam

Wednesday 3 March 2010

As the number of children and families accessing children’s services reflects the growing diversity of Melbourne’s community, it is vital that services are well informed about cultural beliefs and practices. This interesting and interactive workshop will increase participants’ understanding of Islam. Participants will have an opportunity to hear from a member of the Islamic Community, explore aspects of the Islamic faith and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Overview of Islam and its cultural differences within religious practices
• Explore beliefs and practices
• Dispel misconceptions regarding women in Islam

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Gain increased knowledge of the Islamic faith
• Develop an understanding of current issues facing Muslim communities
• Differentiate between cultural and religious practices

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 2, 3 & 7
• FDCQA 1, 3, & 5
• OSHCQA 1, 3, 4 & 7

 

Venue: Kingsbury Primary School, Maryborough Avenue, Kingsbury
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:$25

 

  

Reflecting Cultural Diversity
Through Outdoor Play

This practical session will explore the value and benefits of reflecting cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) through outdoor play spaces. Participants will learn how to identify and reflect the cultural identity of families accessing their service, as well as the wider community, into the outdoor play space.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Understanding CALD
• The value of reflecting CALD through outdoor play
• Practical strategies for outdoor play spaces

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Develop an awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity
• Have a greater understanding of how to incorporate diversity into the outdoor program
• Engage in practical experiences around setting outdoor play spaces that reflect diversity

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7
• FDCQA 2, 3 & 5
• OSHCQA 1, 4, 5 & 8

 

Thursday 4 March 2010
Venue: Kingston Arts Centre, 979 Nepean Highway, Moorabin
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:$25 

Wednesday 10 March 2010
Venue: Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 Station Street, Box Hill
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:$25

Thursday 11 March 2010
Venue: Melton Community Hall, 232 High Street, Melton
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:$25

Thursday 18 March 2010
Venue: FKA Children’s Services, 9-11 Stewart St, Richmond
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:$25

 

 

Supportive Environments for Children Learning English as a Second Language

Friday 5 March 2010

This session will discuss the importance of main-taining a child’s first language, and outline the different stages of acquiring English as a Second Language (ESL). Participants will investigate strategies that will enhance culturally and linguistically diverse environments to support children learning ESL.

Topics to be Covered

 

• The importance of maintaining a child’s first language
• Stages of acquisition of English as a Second Language
• Strategies that will support cultural and linguistic diverse environments

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Understand the importance of maintaining a child’s first Language
• Have a greater understanding about learning English as a second language
• Provide supportive environments that support communication and ESL learning

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 3, 4 & 7
• FDCQA 3 & 5
• OSHCQA 1, 2, 4, 5 & 8

 

Venue: FKA Children’s Services, 9-11 Stewart St, Richmond
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Cost:$25
Session repeated in June

 

 

A Taste of Community - Exploring Foods from Local Markets

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Exploring and reflecting diverse foods in your service offers opportunities for children to share what is unique to their culture and family. This session will explore what diverse foods are available in your local community and how these can be incorporated into your program and menu. Participants will visit local shops and market and investigate approaches for reflecting these diversities. Participants will be able to purchase diverse foods on offer for their lunch.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Linking the role food plays in diverse cultural traditions and service practices
• SUsing food to engage families to share cultural practices so to increase participation in meaningful ways
• Sourcing culturally appropriate foods and recipes from the local community

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Discuss current meal and snack time practices and identify strategies that will support the diverse cultural needs of children within their service
• Increase their skills in researching, planning, preparing and presenting culturally appropriate meals and snacks

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 2, 3, 5, 6 & 8
• FDCQA 1, 2, 3 & 4
• OSHCQA 1, 2, 5, 6 & 7

 

Venue: Springvale Market
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Cost:$25

 

 

Celebrations in your Community

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Exploring cultural diversity with young children can be approached through a myriad of media. The use of celebrations connects with all individuals in a holistic way. This interactive session focuses on how to incorporate celebrations in your service and what they can look like. Participants will explore the diversities of families and communities, and how to embrace these diversities when celebrating meaningful events.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Identifying culture
• Defining celebrations
• Understanding and respecting cultural differences in the service’s community and incorporating them within a flexible program

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Understand and incorporate the richness of everyone’s culture in their program
• Understanding the link between valuing cultural diversity and celebrating meaningful events in children’s lives
• Develop a celebration plan: identifying local communities celebrations

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 3, 6 & 7
• FDCQA 1, 3 & 5
• OSHCQA 1, 4, 6 & 8

 

Venue: FKA Children’s Services, 9-11 Stewart St, Richmond
Time: 9:30-11:30am
Cost:$25

 

 

Transition Statement Series: Creating Partnerships with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families

Friday 19 March 2010

Creating positive and reciprocal partnerships with families is a vital step in successfully including families’ views in programs and planning for their child’s transition to school. The first session in this transition series will look at how to establish and maintain these partnerships with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families and lay the foundations for the following topics of cross-cultural communication and school readiness.

Topics to be Covered

 

• Establishing a whole centre approach to welcoming all families
• Creating opportunities to exchange views about children’s learning with parents and families

 

Session Outcomes

For participants to:

• Identify and apply strategies that offer flexible and inclusive opportunities for families to communicate about their children’s learning
• Develop action plans to strengthen partnerships with families to assist writing successful transition statements

 

Quality Areas

 

• QIAS 1, 2 & 7

 

Venue: FKA Children’s Services, 9-11 Stewart St, Richmond
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Cost:$25