13. Checklists & Reminder Cards

Working aids

To print out & use

These reminder cards sum up the course for everyday practice.

Reminder card 1 · Basic stance

  • Cultural and linguistic diversity is normal and an enrichment.
  • Meet people in an open, appreciative, culturally sensitive way.
  • Reflect on your own cultural background and prejudices.
  • Intercultural education can benefit ALL children.

Reminder card 2 · Multilingualism

Right

Value the first language and support German well. Family: communicate richly in the first language.

Wrong

Forbidding or devaluing the first language; advising "German only"; seeing multilingualism as a deficit.

Reminder card 3 · Living diversity

  • Include languages, festivals, books, music and food.
  • Involve families as experts.
  • Natural and authentic – without folklorisation or stereotypes.
  • See the individual child and family (not "their culture").

Reminder card 4 · Avoid

Culturalism

Reducing people to "their culture" and stereotyping them.

Folklorisation

Reducing cultures to clichés (food, traditional costume).

Prejudice & discrimination

Reflect on them and reduce them; be fair and appreciative.

Reminder card 5 · Limit & goal

  • Limit of tolerance: the child's wellbeing and children's rights.
  • Address cultural differences through dialogue.
  • Goal: openness to the world, respect, preparation for a diverse world.
  • Intercultural opening is an ongoing process.