In this episode of Reimagine Childhood, brought to you by the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer engages in a conversation with education professional Libby Wright about supporting multilingual children in early childhood classrooms. Libby, who has extensive experience fostering community among teachers, parents, and students from diverse backgrounds, discusses practical strategies for creating inclusive, language-rich environments. The episode highlights the cognitive and social benefits of language diversity in classrooms, emphasizes the importance of maintaining home languages, and provides tips for building strong relationships with families. The conversation also touches on leveraging visual aids, encouraging play-based learning, and using tools like labeling and translation apps to enhance communication. Tune in for a wealth of research-backed insights and actionable tips aimed at helping educators navigate the unique challenges and opportunities presented by multilingual settings.

00:00 Introduction to Reimagine Childhood

00:52 Meet Libby Wright: Embracing Multilingual Classrooms

02:51 Benefits of Language Diversity in Early Childhood

06:06 Creating a Language-Rich Environment

20:01 Modeling Language for Preschoolers

21:49 Creating Inclusive Snack Time

23:09 Embracing Cultural Differences

28:09 Partnering with Parents for Language Development