May 11, 2026
As a parent raising a child in today's interconnected world, you may find yourself wondering how your little one will understand and embrace their cultural heritage—especially if your family comes from diverse backgrounds or lives in a country different from where you grew up. This question is both deeply personal and incredibly important.
At Runningbrook International Preschool, we've had the privilege of welcoming families from more than 35 countries since 1993, witnessing firsthand how children beautifully weave together multiple cultural threads into their unique identities. Cultural identity development is not about choosing one heritage over another; it's about helping children feel proud, grounded, and connected to all the cultures that make them who they are.
In this article, we'll explore what cultural identity development looks like in young children, what behaviors you might observe at different ages, and practical strategies you can use at home to support this essential aspect of your child's early childhood development. Remember, you are the expert on your own child, and this guide is meant to complement the wisdom you already bring to your parenting journey.
Cultural identity refers to a person's sense of belonging to a particular culture or group. For children, this includes understanding and feeling connected to their family's traditions, languages, foods, celebrations, values, and ways of seeing the world.
Research in child development consistently shows that a strong cultural identity is linked to:
According to developmental psychologist Dr. Jean Phinney, whose research on ethnic identity has been foundational in this field, children who develop a positive cultural identity are better equipped to navigate diverse social environments and form healthy relationships throughout their lives.
In a multicultural environment like Santiago, Chile—and within communities like Runningbrook—children have the unique opportunity to see diversity as normal and enriching. This exposure during the critical early years (0-6) lays the foundation for a lifetime of cultural competence and appreciation.
Children develop their understanding of culture gradually, and what you observe will depend on your child's age, experiences, and individual temperament. Here's what you might notice at different stages:
Even our youngest learners in the Growing Steps program are absorbing cultural information through their senses. At this age, children:
You might notice your baby lighting up when they hear a particular song from your homeland or calming down when you speak in your native language. These early experiences are building the sensory foundation for cultural connection.
As language explodes during this period, children begin to:
At this age, curiosity is natural and healthy. Children aren't making judgments—they're simply trying to understand their world.
This is when cultural identity development becomes more visible and complex. Children may:
It's completely normal for children in this age range to go through phases where they embrace their cultural heritage enthusiastically or, conversely, want to blend in with peers. Both responses are part of healthy identity exploration.
Supporting your child's cultural identity doesn't require grand gestures. Here are five practical approaches you can implement right away:
Culture comes alive in the small, everyday moments. Consider:
A family might start the day with a traditional breakfast dish on weekends, or a parent might sing the same lullaby their grandmother sang to them. These rituals create powerful emotional connections to heritage.
If your family speaks more than one language, this is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your child. Research shows that bilingualism supports cognitive flexibility, cultural connection, and communication skills.
Practical tips:
At Runningbrook, our bilingual education approach recognizes that language is deeply connected to identity. We support families in maintaining their home languages while children also develop English and Spanish skills.
For families living far from their home country, maintaining connections can feel challenging but is incredibly valuable:
One approach that works well is creating a simple "family map" showing where different relatives live, helping children visualize their extended family network.
Play is the language of childhood, and it's also a powerful vehicle for cultural exploration. Our child-centered approach at Runningbrook recognizes that children learn best through hands-on, meaningful experiences.
At home, you can:
When children engage in pretend play that incorporates cultural elements—whether it's "cooking" a traditional meal in a play kitchen or celebrating a holiday with their stuffed animals—they're processing and internalizing their cultural learning.
Children's questions about culture and difference can sometimes catch us off guard. Here are some approaches:
If your child says something like, "I don't want to speak Spanish at school because nobody else does," you might respond with empathy: "It sounds like you want to fit in with your friends. That makes sense. Did you know that speaking two languages is actually a superpower? Not everyone can do it, and it means you can talk to so many more people in the world."
At Runningbrook International Preschool, our multicultural environment provides a natural context for children to develop strong cultural identities while also learning to appreciate diversity.
Here's how our approach supports this development:
Our educators understand that cultural identity development looks different for every child and family. Whether your child is in our Growing Steps program absorbing the sounds of multiple languages, or in Pre-Kinder asking complex questions about where they belong, we partner with you to support their journey.
Raising a child with a strong, positive cultural identity in a multicultural world is both a privilege and a responsibility. There will be moments of joy—like when your child proudly shares a family tradition with friends—and moments of challenge—like navigating questions about fitting in or belonging.
Remember these key points:
At Runningbrook, we've seen over 1,200 families navigate this beautiful journey since 1993. We've watched children grow from curious toddlers into confident young people who carry their cultural heritage with pride while also embracing the rich diversity around them.
Your child's cultural identity is a gift—a tapestry woven from the threads of your family's history, languages, traditions, and values. By nurturing this identity with intention and love, you're giving your child roots to ground them and wings to explore the world.
We're honored to be part of your family's journey. If you'd like to learn more about how Runningbrook supports early childhood development in our multicultural environment, we warmly invite you to visit our center and see our child-centered, play-based approach in action.