Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Child Development

Department

Child Development

First Reader/Committee Chair

van Schagen, Amy

Abstract

The expansion of multilingualism, the ability to speak and understand more than one language, has added to a culturally diverse world today. With these abilities, those who are multilingual from diverse backgrounds are often met with resistance against the dominant Westernized culture. Currently, there is not adequate training in the United States for teachers to be able to implement a multilingual curriculum in early childhood settings and classrooms. There are many benefits to providing a diverse classroom environment, which can have a positive impact on the young learners present. The importance of supporting multilingual children, specifically in early childhood, is discussed through the lens of their early development, sociocultural frameworks involving socialization and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, positive interactions within the learning environment, as well as the utilization of supportive materials and programs. Additionally, an informative and engaging workshop is created around the significance of multilingualism, and resources through materials and interactions will be provided for early childhood educators in classroom settings with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Future recommendations for different policies and strategies to support teachers of multilingual children will also be reviewed.

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