Malaysian Preschool Children Global Readiness in Diversity and Multiculturalism Knowledge

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore preschool children global readiness in diversity and multiculturalism knowledge. Four aspects of basic knowledge assessed are related to diversity and multiculturalism. These are cultural knowledge of different ethnic groups, geographical knowledge of different countries, mutual respect towards others and communication skills with friends from various countries. The study uses a set of written questionnaire for six years old preschool children. This quantitative study is conducted by analysing the percentage of children who can answer every aspect of diversity and multiculturalism questions. Seven hundred fifty-four preschool children were randomly chosen from four zones in East Malaysia as a sample for this study. The main highlight is that out of four aspects in the diversity and multiculturalism, children recognise mutual respect towards others have the highest mean (mean= .914). Secondly, by discerning the language used to communicate with friends from other countries (mean=.911), children know the culture of different ethnic groups (mean=.855). The lowest mean are children fathom the knowledge for the geography of different countries (mean=.655 (mean=665) The purpose of this study is to help preschool teachers to apply global readiness education in diversity and multiculturalism knowledge. Therefore, the preschool children are not only equipped with academic skills but competent to be future global players. Thus, the knowledge of diversity and multiculturalism imparted plenty of adaptive skills for the outside world in line with 21st-century learning.