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We often hear that Australia is a melting pot of cultures, but how diverse is it really?
According to the 2021 census, one in four Australian residents was born overseas. The largest groups came from England, India, China, New Zealand and the Philippines.
If we turn the clock back to the mid-20th century, most migrants arrived from Italy, Greece and Malta, as part of the post-war migration program, which welcomed displaced persons and refugees from European countries. While the faces and stories of migration have changed over time, one truth endures: Australia has, for much of its history, been a country of immigrants.
These immigrants bring with them cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD), adding to Australia’s rich tapestry of cultures, languages and traditions. And in early childhood education, this isn’t just background noise; exposure to different languages and cultures directly shapes how children learn, connect and grow.
Dr Karen Guo, a senior lecturer in early childhood education at Deakin, has spent years researching how children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds experience early learning. She shares her insights on why diversity matters and how it is reshaping Australian classrooms.
We’ve covered the percentages of overseas-born Australians, but diversity is multilayered and extends beyond where people were born. It also includes the languages spoken at home and cultural traditions, including First Nations cultures that have shaped this continent for more than 65,000 years.
The 2021 census found that the top five most common languages spoken at home besides English are Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese and Punjabi. That’s a snapshot of just how multilingual our communities really are.
In addition, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages remain a vital part of Australia’s cultural fabric. More than 150 of these languages are still spoken today and revitalisation programs are helping to keep them strong for future generations.
For early childhood educators, this means classrooms are shaped by cultural and linguistic diversity; in other words, not just by where children’s families come from, but also by the languages, stories and cultural practices they bring with them. Recognising and celebrating this diversity enriches early learning and helps children see cultural differences not just as something to respect, but as opportunities to connect, share and grow together.
But how is that actually done in practice? As Dr Guo explains, ‘Creating inclusive environments for children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds requires educators to implement equity-driven, research-informed strategies responsive to multilingual and multicultural learners.’
In early learning, cultural diversity isn’t just about who is in the classroom; it’s about how children’s languages, traditions and identities are actively reflected in everyday practice.
According to Guo, embedding cultural and linguistic diversity in classrooms can be done through simple but powerful strategies, including ‘displaying environmental print in multiple languages, encouraging translanguaging and incorporating family stories, traditions and artefacts.’
She adds that these practices ‘not only affirm children’s identities but also foster a strong sense of belonging, building a foundation for engagement, confidence and academic success.’
Cultural choices are also important. For example, Dr Guo suggests ‘selecting resources that showcase varied cultural perspectives, embedding multicultural examples across subjects and facilitating collaborative discussions’ to ensure that children see themselves represented, while also learning from peers and cultivating empathy and mutual understanding.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) gives teachers a roadmap for creating learning experiences that are not only holistic but also genuinely respectful of culture and identity. It highlights how inclusion can take many forms, from supporting neurodiversity to embracing cultural and linguistic diversity as everyday practice.
As Dr Guo explains, the EYLF allows educators to ‘create spaces where diversity is celebrated, identities affirmed and all children thrive.’
We’ve already mentioned some of the benefits of cultural diversity in the classroom, including helping children feel a sense of belonging and exposing them to different perspectives. But as Dr Guo explains, the impact goes even further: ‘Exposure to diverse languages, cultures and perspectives enhances intercultural understanding, critical thinking and cognitive flexibility.’
These cognitive benefits are matched by important social and emotional ones. Diverse classrooms encourage children to develop empathy, adaptability and respect for others.
According to Dr Guo, ‘Children often develop resilience as they navigate multiple cultural contexts, with migrant and refugee students exemplifying adaptability, coping strategies and perseverance.’
Together, these benefits show that cultural and linguistic diversity isn’t just an add-on to early childhood education; it’s a powerful foundation to helping children grow into confident, compassionate and capable learners. Just as workplaces benefit from embracing cultural diversity, early learning environments also flourish when diversity is recognised and celebrated.
So far, we’ve explored the cultural side of diversity, but language plays just as important a role in shaping early learning. For many children in Australia, English is not their first language. Far from being a barrier, Dr Guo sees this as a strength.
‘Early childhood educators should balance supporting English learning with maintaining children’s home languages by adopting a strength-based approach that values multilingualism as a resource,’ she explains.
Research shows that keeping home languages strong doesn’t hold back English acquisition – it helps. It boosts vocabulary, storytelling skills, memory and even problem-solving.
Educators can support this by weaving home languages into classroom life. As Dr Guo suggests, this might mean using bilingual books and labels, encouraging storytelling in children’s first languages or learning a few key words from families to build trust and connection.
‘Bilingualism further promotes social and emotional development, fostering empathy, adaptability and strong connections to families and communities, which support engagement and learning,’ she adds.
Importantly, this approach is underpinned by policy frameworks. The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development framework (VEYLDF) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child affirm children’s rights to use their own language and culture.
These guidelines encourage teachers to create inclusive environments where children’s cultural and linguistic diversity is not only protected but celebrated.
Looking to the future, Australia’s cultural and linguistic diversity is only expected to grow, and Dr Guo sees this as an inspiring opportunity.
‘I imagine multilingualism becoming the norm rather than the exception, with educators routinely using bilingual resources, celebrating linguistic diversity and supporting children to maintain their home languages alongside English,’ she says.
She also hopes that educators will continue to draw on children’s cultural knowledge and lived experiences as strengths that shape curriculum, assessment and daily learning.
Family and community partnerships will play a big part, too. ‘I foresee stronger, more flexible family partnerships, with early childhood services using multilingual communication, community liaisons and culturally safe spaces to foster collaboration and trust,’ she explains.
A more diverse educator workforce that reflects the communities it serves could further strengthen this sense of representation and connection, making classrooms feel even more welcoming and familiar.
Policy will matter as well. Dr Guo hopes that frameworks will keep protecting language rights, funding bilingual programs and prioritising professional learning in intercultural competence.
Ultimately, she believes these shifts will help children thrive in a world enriched by cultural and linguistic diversity, where curiosity and respect can spark all kinds of wonderful possibilities.
‘They are curious about difference, respectful of others and confident navigating an increasingly diverse world,’ she says.
By embracing cultural and linguistic diversity in early learning, all children are supported, celebrated, and prepared to thrive-today and into the future.
